‘Pay as you throw’ aims to cut waste in Salisbury, Sharon

SALISBURY/SHARON — Members of the Transfer Station Recycling Advisory Committee, known as TRAC, discussed the potential benefits of bringing a unit-based pricing system to Sharon and Salisbury’s waste management programs at a June 18 meeting.

TRAC Chair Barbara Bettigole said that the new system could help achieve the group’s mission statement: “Our charge as a Committee is reducing the amount of waste we produce and increasing the efficiency of recycling,” she said.

Bettigole noted that other towns in Connecticut have utilized unit-based pricing, also known as “pay as you throw,” alongside large scale composting operations to reduce refuse output. “That’s made the biggest impact on waste reduction.”

Brian Bartram, longtime manager of the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station, said that unit-based pricing offers residents “more control over what they’re paying to get rid of their garbage.” He qualified, however, that the current system has been controversial as larger households that produce more waste are benefited by the fixed, yearly price that enables them to discard as much trash as they like.

Smaller households, such as solo homeowners or older couples, produce far less waste, he said, and may appreciate paying for only what they produce rather than paying the same yearly sticker cost.

Bartram mentioned Kent Transfer Station has already piloted such a system, known as the orange bag system, and it “sounds like the experiment isn’t terrible,” he said. Kent First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer acknowledged there has been some pushback, but the transition has been an overall success.

Bartram said Massachusetts is “way further ahead than Connecticut” in terms of unit-based pricing, which Salisbury Selectman Kitty Kiefer said she had first-hand experience with as a one-time resident of the state. She relayed that it was widely accepted and seemed to function well.

Salisbury/Sharon is applying for a Sustainable Materials Management grant from the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which offers preference to unit-based pricing programs. The funding would potentially be used to improve composting services.

“Expansion is one good word that can cover it all,” Bettigole said of further developing commercial food scrap diversion operations.

Several participants in the meeting emphasized that lobbying restaurants and private schools in the towns will be vital in establishing an effective, widespread composting program.

Bettigole reported that a pilot effort by LaBonne’s Market has been paused due to issues with “what they thought were bear proof containers.” An effort at the Indian Mountain School, however, has been very promising, she said.

Latest News

Classifieds - October 23, 2025

Help Wanted

Weatogue Stables has an opening: for a full time team member. Experienced and reliable please! Must be available weekends. Housing a possibility for the right candidate. Contact Bobbi at 860-307-8531.

Services Offered

Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.

Keep ReadingShow less
School spirit on the rise at Housy

Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.

Hunter Conklin and Danny Lesch

As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Student initiatives shake up Homecoming
The poster promoting the Homecoming dance boasted the event would feature dancing, games and a bonfire. Reactions to the planned move outside were mixed, with some students excited about the changes and others expressing a desire for tradition.
Provided

The weekend of Homecoming at HVRHS was packed with events including rival games under the lights, senior night, and a new take on Homecoming that moves it outside — and it wouldn’t have been possible without the students of Housatonic.

Orchestrating was no easy feat, especially considering much of the work was left up to the students.

Keep ReadingShow less
Housy takes on Halloween
Housatonic Valley Regional High School
File photo

As the chilly breeze settles in, Halloween approaches and the community yearns for spooky festivities — HVRHS has answered that calling. An event held annually for the past eight years, the HVRHS haunted house has returned.

The event is organized by the current senior and junior year classes — 2026 and 2027 respectively — and held to raise money that goes toward the junior and senior class’s activities such as senior week, prom, the senior class trip, and more.

Keep ReadingShow less