By Rod Hansen
Staff Writer

Goffstown selectmen are considering ways to get more people to recycle their trash, including a possible pay-as-you-throw program.

Solid Waste Commission Chairman Fred Plett appeared before the board on Monday, June 12, on the issue of increasing recycling in town.

Currently, the town’s recycling rate stands at about 27 percent, Plett said. This is an improvement over the 17 percent recycling rate before the town adopted its single-stream program in 2004.

The single-stream program requires residents to throw recyclable waste into one 65-gallon blue cart known as “big blue.” The procedures for recycling are outlined in a DVD Plett says he hopes to make available to new residents. The video is currently available for download at the town’s Web site, www.goffstown.com.

Plett said he hopes to encourage people to recycle through positive, rather than punitive, means.

For example, he said he has written several letters to the editor of local newspapers. Also, he said the Solid Waste Commission might single out people they “catch doing it right” for praise either in the newspaper or on cable access television.

Although Goffstown ordinances allow for trash collectors to refuse to pick up waste from homes that do not recycle properly, Plett said he’d rather not implement that option immediately.

He said the town might also consider a “pay as you throw” program, similar to that in Raymond.

Under that town’s plan, residents must buy $2 garbage bags in which to place non-recyclable waste. Residents who recycle more thus buy fewer bags.

Plett said previous attempts to institute pay-as-you-throw program in Goffstown have not fared well. However, he said the town may have to pursue other means beside a public information campaign.

“You can try to educate people, but education only goes so far,” Plett said.