Recycling in Harvard might be a little easier soon. The town is investigating a change that would eliminate the need for residents to sort their recyclables.
At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Selectman Tim Clark reported on a recent meeting with DPW Director Rich Nota and Chris Ryan, chairman of the Transfer Station Committee. After reviewing the transfer station’s operations and the costs of the facility, they have come to the conclusion that there are some opportunities to save money and consolidate the town’s recycling functions. They are currently investigating the possibility of “commingling,” or combining recycled materials, which would mean that residents would no longer have to lovingly separate out their plastics, glass bottles, and mixed papers, as they have done for many years.
According to Clark, it is possible that the commingling could be done on a “zero net basis” and that all recyclable materials could be hauled away at no cost to the town. Clark also said he had talked with Nota and Ryan about ways to increase the safety and operation of the facility, with possible minor modifications.
