KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow.com) Announced in the middle of last week, the Keene Recycling Center and Transfer Station introduced a new minimum fee for customers who choose to use the facility’s truck scale rather than pay the standard per-bag fee, effective immediately.

According to a news release from the Keene Public Works Department, the minimum fee for choosing to use the truck scale will be set at $30, regardless of weight. The per-bag fee is still set at $3 a bag, and customers who have less than 340 pounds in waste will find the bag option more economical, according to the release.

This new policy intends to reduce delays, improve traffic flow, and streamline service for both residents and commercial users who have over 340 pounds of waste. Before the minimum fee was introduced, there were significant service delays with people using the scale who had very small loads. Even if the load was small, using the scale took extra time due to extra paperwork and the extra time it took to weigh all items. This new system aims to make it so that only customers with large or mixed loads utilized the scale system, per the release.

Director of the Keene Public Works Department Don Lussier said the update will allow us for better management traffic and provide more consistent service, especially during peak hours.

Recycling services at the facility are still free of charge for accepted items, and staff will be on site to help customers in choosing the most cost-effective option for their load.

“Our goal is to keep wait times low, improve efficiency, and make sure customers can get in and out of the facility safely and quickly,” Lussier said in the release.

To get more details about the intricacies of the new system, the Public Works Department can be contacted at 352-6550.