The Kingston Recycling Committee committed up to $8,000 in grant funding Tuesday to purchase 3,000 promotional kitchen scrapers as the town gears up for a more selective reopening of the local Swap Shop this spring. The committee selected a "corn blue" two-piece scraper branded with the Kingston Recycles logo, intended as a thank-you gift for residents who purchase recycling stickers.

The decision followed a discussion regarding the most effective use of an $11,000 state grant. While the committee weighed a cheaper silicone option, they ultimately opted for a higher-quality plastic model. J. Snowman noted, I'm in favor of doing the plastic one. I would do the corn blue. Todd, representing the Department of Public Works, supported the expenditure, noting that even after the $8,000 purchase, the town would retain approximately $11,000 in grant funds for other initiatives. Motion Made by J. Snowman to order 3,000 corn blue two-piece scrapers for up to $8,000 with a logo that says Kingston Recycles. Motion Passed 3-0-0.

Preparations are also underway for the Swap Shop’s tentative reopening on April 4. Chair Vanessa Briade emphasized that the facility will adopt a curated approach this year to ensure the quality of exchanged goods. I told a resident that everything coming in has to be clean, has to be whole, nothing broken, nothing chipped, Briade said. We're hoping that that's what we end up with—higher quality stuff. The shop is expected to open on Saturdays only for the first few weeks as the committee gauges volunteer availability. J. Snowman reported that she is currently updating the volunteer contact list and coordinating with the town to ensure all helpers complete the necessary municipal paperwork.

Security and logistics at the shop are also seeing upgrades. David O'Connell discussed the technical requirements for the facility’s entrance and lighting. The key to the push button will override the button lock, O'Connell explained, suggesting that the handle remain unlocked while using the key code for access. He also noted the potential for a solar-powered pack to provide lighting and a station for testing small appliances. To cover initial setup costs, the committee approved a reimbursement for O'Connell. Motion Made by J. Snowman to reimburse David for the expenses for those two, the organics corral and swap shop. Motion Passed 3-0-0 in the amount of $180.66.

The committee also received an update on the town’s long-term waste diversion strategy, specifically regarding the "Pay-As-You-Throw" (PAYT) working group. As Kingston faces town-wide budget pressures and a strict 3% growth cap, Todd explained that the PAYT model aims to reduce the fixed cost of trash for residents by shifting expenses toward bag fees. The goal here would be to save the residents some money, take out the trash cost and put that in the bag, Todd said. There's no incentive [currently] to take the trash and put it in the recycling. If you go to a compactor for plastics or cardboard, you eliminate trips and save money.

This shift may become a necessity as state regulations tighten. Todd warned that by 2028, all institutions must divert food waste, and by 2030, the mandate will extend to all residential households. This loom large over Kingston’s current contract with Black Earth for organic waste collection, which is set to expire on October 31. The town is limited to five years of state grant funding for the service. Either it goes away at the end of the five years or we find another way to dispose of it, Briade noted, suggesting the town may eventually need to incorporate food waste into its yard waste composting or explore anaerobic digestion.

Operational hurdles have recently slowed the current organic program. Briade reported that frozen locks at the transfer station recently blocked Black Earth from collecting waste, and high winds have toppled signage at the organic corral. As long as it's down and the ground is frozen, we are in a holding pattern, Briade said. Snowman added that the lack of signage has led to resident confusion, with some leaving plastic oil containers in the organic bins. I think if we had the corral and better signage, people would know what they could and couldn't do, Snowman observed.

In other business, the committee noted that a proposed Styrofoam ban for local restaurants has stalled. Briade reported that she sent a proposal to the Board of Health in early 2025 but has yet to receive a response. Snowman suggested that with the Swap Shop opening looming, the committee should focus its immediate energy on the April 4 launch before re-engaging the health agent. The committee also reviewed January textile recycling numbers, noting a $175 rebate for the town from 2,500 pounds of collected material, while Silver Lake generated a $360 rebate from over 6,000 pounds.