Municipalities are constantly seeking effective strategies to manage waste, reduce environmental impact, and control costs. One proven solution gaining global recognition is the SMART program, also known as Save-As-You-Throw (SAYT) or Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT). This innovative approach not only helps communities Save Money And streamline their waste management but also encourages residents to reduce trash generation and boost recycling efforts.
Logos for SMART, Adds Up, and Sustainable CT, promoting waste reduction and sustainability in Connecticut.
Understanding SMART: Save Money and Reduce Trash, It’s That Simple
SMART, which stands for Save-Money-And-Reduce-Trash, is a user-friendly system designed to charge residents for waste disposal based on the amount of trash they generate. Instead of relying solely on fixed fees or property taxes to fund waste management, SMART programs implement a unit-based pricing model. This means households pay for trash disposal in direct proportion to the amount they throw away.
This system operates much like other utility services such as electricity or water, where consumption directly impacts the bill. By making waste disposal costs transparent and directly linked to the amount of trash produced, SMART programs create a powerful financial incentive for residents to actively participate in waste reduction. This encourages behaviors like reusing items, donating unwanted goods, maximizing recycling, and diverting food scraps through composting.
Why SMART Programs Are Essential: Save Money and Protect the Environment
Leading environmental agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC), and the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association (NEWMOA), strongly advocate for SMART programs. They recognize SMART as a cornerstone strategy for achieving sustainable materials management at both local and state levels.
Connecticut has long recognized the importance of SMART. The state’s commitment is evident in its ambitious goal to divert 60% of waste by 2024. SMART programs are highlighted as a key component in achieving this target, as outlined in Connecticut’s Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy (2016) and previous state waste management plans.
Currently, over 7,000 communities across the United States have successfully implemented SMART programs. These communities are experiencing significant benefits, demonstrating that save money and responsible waste management can go hand in hand.
How SMART Programs Work: Easy Steps to Save Money and Reduce Your Footprint
SMART programs are remarkably adaptable and can be implemented in diverse community settings, whether through curbside collection or at transfer stations. The flexibility of SMART allows for the use of various container types, including variable-sized bags or carts.
The pricing structure is carefully designed to encourage waste reduction. By incentivizing residents to choose smaller containers for their trash, SMART programs naturally promote increased participation in recycling and composting initiatives.
A crucial aspect of successful waste management is program sequencing. Implementing SMART programs before introducing other materials management initiatives, such as food scrap collection, significantly improves participation rates. When residents are already actively managing their trash through SMART, they are more likely to embrace and engage with additional waste diversion programs. While education and outreach are valuable, SMART programs provide a more substantial and immediate impact on waste reduction.
As the Reason Foundation noted in 2002, Pay-As-You-Throw programs effectively “reward all behaviors—recycling, composting, and source reduction—that reduce the amount of garbage thrown away. Source reduction is the cheapest waste management strategy and thus of the highest priority.” This makes SMART not only environmentally sound but also economically smart.
Diagram outlining the steps to implement Pay As You Throw, guiding municipalities through the process of setting up a SMART program.
The Triple Bottom Line of SMART: Fiscally, Environmentally, and Socially Responsible
SMART programs are not just about waste reduction; they represent a holistic approach to community well-being, offering benefits across fiscal, environmental, and social dimensions.
Save Money and Be Fiscally Responsible with SMART
One of the most compelling advantages of SMART programs is their fiscal impact. Communities implementing SMART have achieved remarkable waste reduction rates, ranging from 40% to 55%. This translates to a significant decrease in the average waste disposal rate per person, dropping to between 400 and 500 pounds annually, compared to Connecticut’s estimated average of 740 pounds.
This reduction in waste directly translates to substantial cost savings for municipalities. Less trash means lower tipping fees at disposal facilities and reduced hauling expenses. By reducing the volume of waste needing disposal, municipalities save money and can reallocate resources to other essential community services.
The transparency inherent in SMART programs plays a crucial role in fiscal responsibility. By directly linking waste disposal costs to the amount of trash generated, residents become more aware of the financial implications of their waste habits. This awareness motivates households to actively seek ways to reduce their trash output, whether through increased recycling, donating reusable items, or simply reducing consumption.
The town of Stonington, CT, serves as a prime example of the long-term financial benefits of SMART. Since implementing SMART in 1992, Stonington has saved over $7 million in avoided waste disposal costs. This demonstrates the significant and sustainable cost savings that SMART programs can deliver, allowing municipalities to save money and invest in other critical areas.
Image highlighting Shrewsbury, MA, as a fiscally responsible model for Pay As You Throw, showcasing real-world examples of cost savings through SMART programs.
Save Money and Be Environmentally Responsible with SMART
Beyond fiscal benefits, SMART programs are inherently environmentally responsible. By diverting materials from waste-to-energy facilities and landfills, SMART programs channel valuable resources back into reuse and recycling streams.
Recycling and reusing materials require significantly less energy and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to incineration or landfilling. By promoting waste diversion, SMART programs directly contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
The potential environmental impact of widespread SMART adoption is substantial. Statewide implementation of SMART in Connecticut could reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to installing solar panels on every single house in the state. This illustrates the powerful role SMART programs can play in mitigating climate change and promoting environmental stewardship.
Save Money and Be Socially Responsible with SMART
SMART programs also embody social responsibility by promoting a more equitable approach to funding waste management. Traditional waste disposal funding models, often based on taxes or flat fees, can be inherently unfair. Households that diligently reduce waste and maximize recycling effectively subsidize the wasteful habits of their neighbors.
SMART programs rectify this inequity by rewarding responsible waste behavior. Residents who actively reduce their waste generation and increase recycling efforts directly benefit through lower trash bills. This creates a fairer system where those who contribute to waste reduction are financially rewarded, while those who generate more waste contribute proportionally to the waste management system.
Furthermore, SMART programs address environmental justice concerns. Communities located near waste-to-energy facilities often bear a disproportionate burden of air pollution and reduced property values. By reducing the volume of waste sent to these facilities, SMART programs contribute to improved air quality and community well-being in these areas. As noted by Peter Seldman in 2018, funds allocated to incineration are funds diverted from other vital municipal services that could provide greater benefits to lower-income citizens. SMART programs, therefore, contribute to a more equitable and sustainable allocation of municipal resources.
Resources to Get Started with SMART Programs
Implementing a SMART program is made easier with readily available resources and support. Municipalities interested in exploring SMART can access a wealth of information and tools to guide them through the process.
Success Stories and Case Studies: Learn How to Save Money and Reduce Waste Effectively
Across the nation, numerous communities are reaping the rewards of SMART programs. Detailed case studies and testimonials from municipal officials provide valuable insights into the practical implementation and positive outcomes of SMART initiatives.
These resources showcase successful SMART programs in various settings, including drop-off transfer stations and curbside collection programs. By examining these real-world examples, municipalities can gain valuable knowledge and inspiration for designing and implementing their own SMART programs.
For those interested in learning more about SMART programs and how they can help save money and reduce waste in their communities, further information and direct assistance are available. Contact Jennifer Weymouth at 860-424-3508 for any questions or to explore the potential of SMART for your municipality.
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
Content last updated June 2024.
