The trash bags for sale are ripping and tearing away from the drawstring.
NORTHAMPTON – Northampton has a bag malfunction.
The city’s plan to move from trash bag stickers to bags will have to wait until Aug. 1, as the bags retailers are selling on the behalf of the Department of Public Works have issues with both quality and performance, according to the department blog.
According to Karen Bouquillon, the city’s Waste Management Supervisor, “Three sizes of blue bags were ordered for the program, but the small and large size bags did not meet the City’s specifications. The DPW apologizes for the inconvenience and confusion that this recall may cause, and appreciates the public’s patience as the bag quality issue is resolved.”
The small bags were ripping at the side seams, and the large bags were tearing away from the drawstring.
“It’s a setback. We want to maker sure the bags are going to perform,” she said.
The Save Money And Reduce Trash bag program is expected to reduce the amount of waste entering the city’s landfill, Bouquillon said.
With stickers, residents use one for a full bag, half for a medium and a quarter for a small bag of trash.
“It takes a lot of judgment,” she said, for people to decide on how much of a sticker to use.
With the new system, “it’s a unit pricing for trash. There’s no guessing,” she said. A large bag is $2, a medium $1 and a small 50 cents.
She said the city of Gloucester, which is comparable in size to Northampton, saw a reduction in trash and a hike in recycling.
“It’s pay as you throw. It changes people’s behavior,” she said. People tend to start composting, buying products with less packaging and being more aware of what they’re throwing away. The city’s landfill will be closing in another year.
Bouquillon said many other communities had been using the same bag vendor without incident. The company is replacing the bags at no cost.
The medium-sized bags are fine and available at Big Y, Cooper's Corner, Cornucopia, Cumberland Farms (two locations), Jim’s Variety, Sam’s Food Store, Serio’s, State Street Grocery, Stop and Shop and Walgreens.
Residents who have already purchased the underperforming bags can return them to the DPW office, 125 Locust St., for an equal exchange of bag stickers or medium blue bags. The DPW office is open from 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday. Bag stickers will continue to be sold at both of the city transfer stations until Aug. 1.