A recent article highlighted the issue of trash dumping in the Meadows section of Northampton, as well as the commendable efforts of many citizens to clean up the area. But the article did not address the causes of dumping there, nor possible solutions to the problem.
For the 14 years of my dog’s life, I walked in the Meadows literally every day that I was not away from Northampton. I witnessed countless incidents of the illegal disposal of tires, appliances, electronic devices, mattresses, and construction debris. It’s obvious that these things were being tossed in the Meadows by people seeking to avoid having to pay the customary fees to take this stuff to the dump or recycling center.
Why not require a deposit on these items the way we do on bottles? This would create an incentive for responsible return instead of the current situation, which tempts too many people to skip paying disposal fees. Requiring the sellers of the articles to charge a small deposit and accept their return is sure to be resisted by the retailers, but it’s the right thing to do if we wish to preserve the pristine quality of this important land.
Stephen Petegorsky
Florence