Dear Editor:
In the Feb. 5 article regarding Creswell’s waste management contract, the article stated tipping fees at Short Mountain were $112 per ton while Sanipac Medford were $97 per ton. How is it possible to transport trash from Creswell to Eugene, reload for bulk transport, 120+ miles to Medford at a total cost lower than tipping at Short Mountain?
At the average cost per mile of $3 for bulk transport, hauling 25 tons would cost $360, making the approximate cost to dump in Medford $111. There would be more trucks on the highway, more danger to motorists, more pollution, fewer jobs in Lane County, and less revenue for our very successful recycling program just to save $1; it does not add up.
What am I missing?
If residents paid by weight rather than by container pickup frequency, would costs be less? Residents would have an economic incentive to reduce waste through composting, recycling, and other methods.
Ed Gunderson, Creswell
