The cost of everything seems like it's on the rise these days and the annual "Pay-As-You-Throw" trash and recycling fee for #MiddletownRI is no different. However, the price for mandatory yellow town trash bags will remain the same.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com 
“PAY-AS-YOU-THROW” ANNUAL FEE HIKE
DUE TO SURGING EXPENSES
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (JUNE 4, 2024) – The annual fee for the town’s “Pay-As-You-Throw” program is going up modestly.
Facing rising tipping prices to get rid of garbage at the Central Landfill, transportation bumps and other costs, the town recently set the annual “Pay-As-You-Throw” fee at $180.
The cost for the town’s yellow bags to get rid of household waste and other rubbish will remain as is for now.
Before last year, the “Pay-As-You-Throw” user fee remained the same since 2015.
“No. 1, the way ‘Pay-As-You-Throw’ works, it’s an enterprise fund where the users pay for the service,” Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said. “If you use the service, you pay your fair share, but if you don’t, it’s not part of our tax rate. That’s the beauty of it and it provides a quality service at a fair price.”
“It’s still the best deal in town,” Town Council President Paul M. Rodrigues added. “Trust me, I’ve looked and it works exactly as it’s supposed to, even better. We get that the cost of everything is going up and we’re holding the line as much as we can.”
In addition to weekly collection of trash in the rolling gray bins and commingled recyclables in the blue bin, yard waste is gathered bi-weekly in the spring through fall.
There are also regularly scheduled “Bulky Waste Amenity Days” included in the annual user fee. During those events, “Pay-As-You-Throwers” can get rid of everything from lawn furniture to lawn mowers, mattresses and more free of charge.
In addition to having users pay for the program, the goal of “Pay-As-You-Throw” is to help promote recycling and environmental health in Middletown. Towards that end, Middletown continues to have among the best recycling rates in Rhode Island.
For more information about “Pay-As-You-Throw,” visit https://mdl.town/PAYT online.
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU6424
