Before implementing a PAYT system, Dover collected approximately 24,000 tons of trash each year, of which approximately 11,000 tons were residential refuse. With no recycling program, the city struggled to meet their MSW management costs. In response to these problems, the city opened a recycling center in May 1990 and shortly thereafter established curbside collection of recyclables and a PAYT program. The fees generated by the sale of the bags and tags go into a special revenue fund that has been established to pay for the collection, disposal, and administrative costs associated with residential solid waste. As a result of these changes, Dover's annual production of waste has dropped from 11,000 tons per year of residential solid waste to only 3,900 tons per year and their recycling rate for their residential waste stream is over 50 percent.
Many resources exist that can assist local governments in their recycling efforts.
The symposium will present information on a variety of waste reduction strategies, as well as information on solid waste collection. Consumer's Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste. This publication provides information that can easily be used as part of a public education program. The handbook describes how individual consumers can help reduce MSW by making environmentally aware decisions about everyday activities such as shopping or household chores. This short recycling brochure provides information that can be incorporated into a local government's public education program.