Town Meeting’s passage of Article 31 updated the bylaw that regulates curbside trash collection. In the past five years, the cost of this service has increased by 67% and we are on a fast track for the cost to double. The updated bylaw increases the options the Select Board has for funding trash collection. But there are more than budget concerns underlying Article 31.
If Article 31 is overturned we will be abandoning our commitments to fighting climate change and to support social and environmental justice. Here’s why:
Lexington’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan describes high-impact actions the town will take to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The plan identifies five focus areas: buildings and energy, natural resources, transportation and mobility, community resilience — and reducing solid waste, including household trash. In addition to the commitments adopted in the Resilience plan, we have repeatedly confirmed our commitment to supporting social and environmental justice. The outcome of the changes made by Article 31 will tie together and support these objectives.
There are three main stops for our trash left at curbside. The first is the truck that collects the trash, second is the incinerator in North Andover, and the third is the toxic ash landfill in Shrewsbury. Each stop includes activities and processes that consume energy and generate greenhouse gases. Additionally, prevailing winds carry the toxic exhaust from the incinerator to Lowell and Lawrence, both designated as environmental justice communities.
There is information and data on the state website that clearly shows that cities and towns that adopt a pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) model experience a significant decline in the average amount of trash generated per household. As of 2023, the average amount of trash-per-household in non PAYT communities was1,625 pounds, versus 1,112 pounds in PAYT communities — 32% lower. The reduction in household trash that would follow pay as you throw is intended to be a big part of meeting the goal set in the Climate Action and Resilience Plan. Less trash means less money needed for trash collection. Less trash also reduces emission of greenhouse gases and our impact on environmental justice communities.
A “no” vote on the June 16th referendum reneges on the goals of the Climate Action and Resilience Plan and abandons long-held community values. Voting “yes” to uphold Article 31 is affirmation of our commitment to fight climate change and global warming and to support social and environmental justice.
Please join me in voting “yes” on June 16th to uphold Article 31.
Avram Baskin