Bow is expected to see a 42-percent increase in trash and recycling costs in the coming year through a new contract with Casella Waste Systems, which acquired Pinard Waste, the town’s longtime hauler.

The 2023 acquisition further expands Casella’s footprint in New Hampshire’s trash collection market.

“The change to Casella is costing us quite a lot, and I wish there were other options for us to consider,” said Angela Brennan, vice chair of the Bow Select Board said at a recent meeting. “But it seems like they have a hold on the market and that’s a little concerning.”

Currently, Bow spends $534,605 annually on solid waste and recycling services handled by Pinard Waste for both the town and its schools. Under the new contract, Casella will charge $760,542 in the first year, an increase of $225,937.

The new contract will take effect on July 1, once all contract details are finalized.

Casella’s stronghold on the market is a reality many New Hampshire communities face, with few alternatives when it comes to waste haulers.

Pinard Waste has handled Bow’s trash and recycling for more than 10 years.

Bow received proposals from Casella and Waste Management.

David Stack, Bow’s town manager, said in an interview with the Monitor that Casella’s bid ultimately proved more cost-effective and better aligned with the services the town was seeking.

“We’ve had no issues with Pinard Waste,” he said. “My hope is that Casella will continue to maintain that service.”

Bow had budgeted for a $45,000 increase, but the actual hike of over $225,000 in collection and waste disposal services leaves the town with a new expense of about $180,000, requiring an adjustment to the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget.

Under the new contract, Bow will continue using a single-stream recycling system where all paper, plastic, glass and metal are collected together in one bin.

But that method comes with trade-offs.

According to New Hampshire Recycles, a nonprofit cooperative focused on recycling, communities that separate recyclables at the source tend to have contamination rates below 5%, while single-stream systems can see rates between 10% and 30%.

Casella, based in Rutland, Vermont, began as a company with a single trash truck and has grown to more than $7 billion in net worth. The stock of the publicly traded company has increased by 67% in the past five years.

While Bow is now committed to Casella for the next three years, Brennan urged the town to start evaluating alternatives, both for waste collection and for improving recycling methods.

“Having the option to not co-mingle (recyclables) and to separate it out, I think that’s something that the solid waste committee should really take a look at and see what options there are for us,” said Brennan. “If we could be prepared with some alternatives that provide us with some cost-saving opportunities, I think that would be ideal. That might be exactly the way to do it, is to start getting away from co-mingled recyclables.”

Sruthi Gopalakrishnan can be reached at sgopalakrishnan@cmonitor.com