PAYT Committee Makes Recommendations

Note: You can read the committee's full report by clicking the PDF in our photo gallery to the right. 

The mayor's committee exploring alternatives to the city's "Pay As You Throw" system has made a non-binding recommendation that would give residents a choice between the current blue bag system or paying an annual fee for city-approved trash bins.

The committee suggested an annual cost of $100 for a 33-gallon container and $200 for a 64-gallon container. The current program brings in about $1.7 million in annual revenue for the city. 

Addressing complaints of strewn garbage in the city, the plan would also require residents use a recycling container of their own choosing, as long as the bin has a lid and an official sticker from the city. 

Members also suggested the formation of a citizens' committee and a permanent position to oversee the city's waste management. 

The committee also recommended "rebranding" the city's program, including better education about the program's benefits, such as reducing waste, encouraging recycling and even changing the now dreaded "blue bag" into a different color. 

"To become fully engaged in the new program, residents must understand both the value of a successful recycling and waste program, and how to dispose of their trash and recycling," the report reads.

"The City's efforts must influence attitudes, as well as behavior." 

Mayor Gary Christenson said the committee was comprised of residents from all sides of the political spectrum, including resident Bob Miller, who lead a referendum campaign to do away with the program in 2009.

Christenson said he was surprised by survey results, which garnered 1,700 replies, the city's largest so far. 

About a third said they'd keep the current system, according to the survey results in the report. 

"All we hear about is the negativity for the most part," he said. "To have the survey results...the way they came out surprised me." 

City Councillor Peg Crowe, who worked with the group, said she was "impressed" by their work. 

"They looked at other communities - you hear 'why don't we go to the Medford plan' a lot - and they really looked at the pros and cons; what really works for Malden," she said. 

The recommendations are not binding, and may change as city councillors and other officials weigh in.

What do you think about the proposal?