Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH).  This month we are updating residents on the new look starting to take shape at the Transfer Station at 72 Hix Bridge Road.

In the past year the transfer station has seen a significant increase in the volume of trash and recycling as more people start using the facility as their primary option for trash disposal. While we are happy to serve residents, it does mean that we are running out of room for storing material until it can be hauled offsite. So, we are expanding the recycling section by adding a newly graded area, which we are calling “Lot 3,” that is down the hill on the right as you drive out of the station. The Boy Scout Troop 100 bottle and can recycling fund-raiser and the bicycle recycling programs grading are moving to Lot 3. There will be signage to help direct users to the new area. Additional dumpsters will then be moved into the existing space for extra cardboard and plastic storage. That will help prevent temporary recycling shutdowns when a dumpster is filled up.

The Boy Scouts’ fund-raising program accepts five-cent redeemable cans, plastic and glass bottles, which you can deposit in the respective barrels in the troop's tent. Please rinse all recyclables before coming to the transfer station – that helps keep the bees away and makes it safer and cleaner for the scouts sorting the materials. Also, please do not leave bags, cardboard, or non five-cent items. The funds collected from redeeming these items help pay for the scout's dues, uniforms, activities, trips and summer camp. It also reduces disposal costs for the transfer station, so it is a double win!

The town’s Bike and Walking Path Committee is also pleased to move its bike recycling program to the back of Lot 3 – a much nicer and safer spot than behind the glass dumpster! This new location is larger and easier to access. The committee also wants to thank Ed Rooney for donating a new bike rack and to Gail Roderigues and Bette Low for moving all those bikes. Residents can drop off used bikes in any condition and transfer station users are free to take a bike for their own use. The group is supplying excess bikes to Yesteryear Cyclery, who are fixing them up to donate to incoming foreign exchange students and other worthy groups. 

Finally, just a reminder that recycling is mandatory. Most recycled items are free to dispose of. To simplify your recycling, you might want to pre-sort items by having separate bins/bags for cardboard, paper, rigid/hard plastic, regular plastic, glass, metal and the redeemable bottles & cans for the Scout fundraiser.  Anything you are not sure where to toss, please ask for assistance from the staff.

Don’t forget that textiles have been banned from trash statewide since 2022. This is not limited to clothing, the ban also includes: bedding, curtains, towels, tablecloths. The Transfer Station facility has two Clothing/Textile Recycling Bins, which benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition to wearable items, you can place clothing and textiles that are ripped or stained (must be clean and dry) in these bins along with items that are usable. 

Yard waste can be dropped off any day the transfer station is open. Leaves and grass only; loose or in paper bags only.  No plastic bags and no brush or tree limbs.

The transfer station is also selling composters at half the retail cost plus tax. The price of the New Age Composter Bin-24 is $34.53, which includes the sales tax and is only available at the transfer station. Payment by check or money order only, no cash accepted.

The transfer station is open five days per week from Thursday through Monday from 8:30 am to 3 pm, except for holidays.  For more information on transfer station fees, recycling, options for hazardous waste disposal and more facility information, please visit www.westport-ma.com/transfer-station-recycling-center.

Ryden is a member of the Westport Board of Health