Don,

 

Appreciated your E-mail.   Unfortunately, I have a huge problem with this bill as it will take away from the curbside recycling waste stream and end up reducing dollars for the town that they receive from vendors on plastics.   CRRA also has a problem with the bill for similar reasons and may end up having to increase their tipping fees they charge to member towns including Vernnon to make up their loss in revenue from the plastics that would no longer go into their waste stream.

 

It is also important to note that I have received many, many E-mails from constituents in the district who feel very strongly about the curbside program because it is working well and feel they should not be punished for doing their part to recycle bsy now having to pay, store and return these same bottles to the store.

 

I would prefer that more be done to enforce our current programs as well by enforcing the curbside recycling law and educating people on the proper disposal of plastics and cans vs. garbage.  More should also be done to place bottle/can recepticles at our parks and recreation facilities so that people can dispose of these items in a separate container from the trash.   Proper signage with new containers for separating trash from cans/bottles would go a long way without placing an additional burden on those who are already doing their part to recycle.

 

Of course, there will always be those who don't care and will throw any container from car windows or dump them on playgrounds, parks and trails.   However, with more education and recepticles in  public areas, this problem can be reduced and virtually eliminated as well.   

 

Thank you for taking the time to contact me on this important matter and for taking the extra time and effort as part of the Vernon Greenways Volunteers to do all that you do to make our town a better place.

 

Rep. Claire Janowski