West Hartford Considers "Pay-As-You-Throw" Trash Collection Program

Hartford Courant

he town is joining communities around the state and country considering a plan to change the way residents pay for trash collection — a program that public works director John Phillips calls the "ultimate equalizer."

The SMART (Save Money And Reduce Trash) program, also known as "pay-as-you-throw," charges residents for waste collection based on the amount of trash they generate, or how much they throw away. Though he was skeptical when he first started researching the program a year ago, Phillips said it is transformational in promoting sustainability.

"The government can't do it alone. There has to be a greater accountability with our residents," Phillips said. "Help me help you is almost quintessential to our argument."

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