Mayor Peter Marchetti acknowledges the 'bumpy ride' in establishing the trash system but the numbers are proof it's working.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new toter system has significantly reduced trash and doubled recycling.

Pittsfield now throws away about 1,024 tons of trash per month, down from 1,388 tons, and recycles about 201 tons per month, compared to 148 tons. Since its implementation in the fall, the city has saved more than $367,000.

Mayor Peter Marchetti thinks the numbers speak for themselves.

"When we first implemented this program, I couldn't go anyplace without someone saying 'This program is a terrible idea,'" he told the City Council.

"As we are now getting further and further into the system, I am being approached by people to say 'Mr. Mayor, it was a bumpy ride but I think we're getting there.'"

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said the overall trend is trash went down, recycling went up, "That's evident." He pointed out that trash was reduced by 364 tons per month and recycling by 53 tons per month.

"Percent wise, it is about the same percent of trash reduction versus what we produce in trash, percent of recycling reduction versus what we produce in recycles," Morales said.

"However, that did not sit well with me that there was something not adding up to the total. We reduced trash, I wanted to see the same increase in recycling. Then I started thinking about what could be producing that discrepancy and we have a consensus, not just myself but in speaking with Casella, in speaking with members of the team, of what can be causing this."