For a small state, Massachusetts produces its fair share of waste. In fact, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection found there was a total waste disposal of over 6 million tons in 2023. What’s more, 752,000 tons of recyclable material are lost to the trash each year in Massachusetts, according to the 2024 Recycling Partnership report. Single-use plastic, including straws, plastic bags, and water bottles, all contribute to this exponentially growing rate of waste.
Belmont uses single-stream recycling, meaning all different types of recyclable materials, from glass to cardboard, are mixed together. While this system often leads to higher contamination rates, including food contamination, Belmont bucks the trend.
According to Joseph Sten, the recycling coordinator for the town’s Department of Public Works, last year, Belmont’s contamination rate was around 4%. By comparison, the Recycling Partnership estimated a nationwide average contamination rate of about 17%, with more recent reports showing even higher rates.