(Dec. 11, 2014) Beginning in January, Worcester County will offer residents a “Pay as You Throw (PAYT)” option to dispose of household trash. County officials are billing the option as economically and environmentally friendly.
“The new PAYT treats trash disposal just like electricity, gas, water and other utilities,” Public Works Director John Tustin said. “Households pay a variable rate depending on the amount of solid waste disposed of. This creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and dispose less waste because the less individuals throw away the less they pay.”
With the pay as you go program, homeowners can purchase tags, at a cost of $1 per tag, with tags to be sold in sheets of five. One tag is to be attached to each 33-gallon bag to be disposed of at the central landfill in Newark or the “Homeowner Convenience Centers” located in Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke.
Bags larger than 33 gallons will be permitted under the new program provided two tags are affixed to each oversized bag. The tags do not expire and can be used at any time regardless of the purchase date. Yard waste is not included in the program, and a standard homeowners permit will be required for disposal.
Residents who do not wish to participate in the program can still buy up to two homeowner permits annually for use at the central landfill and homeowner centers at a cost of $100, with the option to purchase additional permits at a cost of $100 each.
Tags and homeowner permits can be purchased at any of the three following locations: Worcester County Treasurer’s Office in the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill and the Isle of Wight Office in Bishopville, and the Worcester County Landfill in Newark. Under both programs, homeowners must provide their own trash bags.
For more information about the program, call 410-632-0686 (select option 4) or 410-632-3177 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“The new PAYT treats trash disposal just like electricity, gas, water and other utilities,” Public Works Director John Tustin said. “Households pay a variable rate depending on the amount of solid waste disposed of. This creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and dispose less waste because the less individuals throw away the less they pay.”
With the pay as you go program, homeowners can purchase tags, at a cost of $1 per tag, with tags to be sold in sheets of five. One tag is to be attached to each 33-gallon bag to be disposed of at the central landfill in Newark or the “Homeowner Convenience Centers” located in Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke.
Bags larger than 33 gallons will be permitted under the new program provided two tags are affixed to each oversized bag. The tags do not expire and can be used at any time regardless of the purchase date. Yard waste is not included in the program, and a standard homeowners permit will be required for disposal.
Residents who do not wish to participate in the program can still buy up to two homeowner permits annually for use at the central landfill and homeowner centers at a cost of $100, with the option to purchase additional permits at a cost of $100 each.
Tags and homeowner permits can be purchased at any of the three following locations: Worcester County Treasurer’s Office in the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill and the Isle of Wight Office in Bishopville, and the Worcester County Landfill in Newark. Under both programs, homeowners must provide their own trash bags.
For more information about the program, call 410-632-0686 (select option 4) or 410-632-3177 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.