(originally sent August 17, 2011)
PEDAL PEOPLE NEWS AUGUST 2011 Contents: * Northampton's new "SMART" bag system * Summer pickup schedules * Rigid plastics collection * Service at Village Hill ** NORTHAMPTON'S NEW "SMART" BAG SYSTEM ** Pedal People is currently adapting to two new waste disposal systems in Northampton: 1) Valley Recycling and 2) Blue "SMART" bags Valley Recycling, a private transfer station that recently opened on Route 10, allows us to haul the trash and recycling we collect from neighborhoods near South St much less far than before. We're enjoying this new option and are still figuring out the best way to integrate Valley Recycling into our routes. As we restructure our routes to increase efficiency, we will let you know if it affects the day of your pickup. As many of you already know, starting on September 1 the Northampton Transfer Center on Locust St (where we have previously taken all the trash and recycling we collect) will only accept trash that has been placed in the city's blue "SMART" bags. Pedal People customers are not required to do anything differently because of this change. Our riders will place your trash into the blue bags at the time of pick up. However, we are offering a 10% discount on our services to customers who purchase their own blue bags and use them to bag all of their trash. The bag system is designed to reduce trash and increase recycling, and customers may find that buying bags makes them more aware of the volume of trash they produce. Blue bags are available at the DPW and at many stores around town, and come in three sizes. For more information on the bag program, go to: http://www.northamptonma.gov/dpw/landfill/ To sign up to buy your own bags and receive the 10% discount, visit this page on our website: http://www.pedalpeople.com/index.php?page=63 NOTE: If you live in a neighborhood closer to Valley Recycling (which does not require trash to be in blue bags), you might not be eligible to buy bags and get a Pedal People discount. Visit the web page above and enter your address to see if you are eligible. ** SUMMER PICKUP SCHEDULES ** On hot summer days, your Pedal Person will likely start earlier than usual in an effort to finish before the temperature gets uncomfortably high. Please remember to put your stuff out before 8 am or your pickup may be missed. If the forecast looks particularly scorching, you may get a call from your carrier asking you to put things out a little extra early (as early as 7 am). Just a reminder, we regularly come by your house or business any time between 8am and 5pm on the day of your pickup. While your carrier may have a usual time they show up, variables such as weather, route subs, flat tires, and such can alter the time your pickup occurs. ** RIGID PLASTICS COLLECTION ** On Saturday September 17th, from 9 am to noon, the Department of Public Works is hosting a free collection of rigid plastics at Smith Vocational High School (80 Locust Street). This is an opportunity for reuse and recycling of plastics that are not normally accepted at the transfer station. If you would like to schedule a rigid plastics pickup, we will be collecting items on Friday, September 16th. Call or email us to set up a pick up. Price will depend on volume and weight of objects. Bulky, rigid molded plastic items such as crates, buckets, toys, lawn furniture, plant pots will be accepted. For more information, see http://www.northamptonma.gov/dpw/uploads/listWidget/6152/Free%20Bulky%20-%20pCard.pdf ** SERVICE AT VILLAGE HILL ** We'll be expanding on our service area to cover Village Hill (also known as Hospital Hill) and the surrounding neighborhood beginning Wednesday, Sept. 7th. We offer a $15 credit if you refer a new customer. Please spread the word!