CHICOPEE – In anticipation of the closing of the landfill that has been used by the city, Mayor Richard Kos has entered into an agreement for rubbish removal.

“It is the best price we could get, Kos told Reminders Publishing. “It’s the market rate.”

The city had been paying $36 a ton to dispose of waste. The new agreement with F.P. McNamara Rubbish Removal, Inc. has a sliding rate:

• FY 2019: $73 per ton

• FY 2020: $75 per ton

• FY 2021: $76 per ton

• FY 2022: $79 per ton

Kos is planning for increased recycling efforts by residents to help bridge the gap between the previous cost and the new one. He is not predicting the need for a trash fee such as Springfield has.

He said that trash amounts have decreased and recycling has increased since the city has undertaken an aggressive effort to encourage recycling.

“Both have been positive,” he added.

There has been a 24 percent decrease in the amount of trash collected. According to the mayor’s office, during FY 17 the city collected 12,720 tons of trash, whereas during FY 18 the city collected 9,771 tons of trash. Recycling has increased in the City as a result of the Trash Reduction Program.

The goal is to maintain the level of service residents have experienced, the mayor said.

The new agreement will go into effect on Dec. 29 when the landfill is finally closed. The agreement will not affect the curb pick-ups city residents enjoy.

The landfill will remain open for resident drop off services until the closure on Dec. 29. Chicopee residents must still pre-register with the Chicopee DPW by calling 594-3557 if they have not done so, and the existing permit system remains in place.

Residents will be able to bring the following recyclable materials to the new Recycling Center to be located at the Chicopee Department of Public Works:

• Mattresses and Box Springs ($20 fee)

• TVs and Monitors ($10)

• Textiles

• Block Styrofoam (No Packing Peanuts)

• Cardboard

• Plastic Pellet Bags

• Books

• Rigid Plastics

• Universal Waste (batteries, light bulbs)

• Used Paint

• Propane Tanks

• Scrap Metal

• Yard Waste and Brush

• Single Stream Recyclables

The other items are free for disposal.

A permit system will continue to be in place for residents. The DPW Recycling Center will begin operating in January 2019.