NEWBURYPORT — The city's Health Department is seeking information from residents about what recycling and solid waste disposal services best meet their needs.
A survey, which can be found at www.cityofnewburyport.com, asks a dozen questions about what services they would like to see. For instance, one question asks if it would be beneficial to have "single-stream" recycling, which allows all material to be put in one bin together without need for separation.
"We are trying to figure out if that will be an added benefit for residents and a cost benefit for the city," said Molly Ettenborough, the city's recycling coordinator.
The survey is part of the city's efforts to sign a new contract for recycling and solid waste services, Ettenborough said. She said the surveys, which can be turned into the city by July 31, will help guide the city when looking at services different companies offer.
Questions on the survey include those regarding drop-off recycling, solid waste, the compost facility and curbside recycling. Some examples: Are residents willing to pay for a recycling barrel? How often do people use the compost facility? Are the fees for throwing away such things as televisions reasonable?
So far, Ettenborough said the city sent out Invitations for Information to 14 or 15 companies seeking details about solid waste and recycling services.
Newburyport is seeking services jointly with Amesbury.
"We are asking companies to look at our recycling and solid waste together and separate," she said.
Ettenborough said the current contract, with Integrated Paper Recyclers, ends Dec. 31. The goal is to have another contract in place by the time the current one expires.
She said the city expects to get information on the companies back by the first week of August and will then start looking through the information. She said they will then start talking to serious contenders and hopefully by September narrow down the companies.
Ettenborough said they hope to make a decision sometime between October and December to have time to announce the changes and inform residents.
"Our goal, obviously, is to reduce costs but also to maintain a streamline service for residents," she said.
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