The number of people living in Stamford a decade ago was about 126,000. Today it鈥檚 more than 137,000. 聽The amount of garbage collected in 2013 was nearly 48,000 tons. Last year it was 76,000 tons. So the population increased almost 9 percent, but the volume of garbage rose 58 percent.
An explanation for the disproportion lies not only in the rising number of residents, but in the city鈥檚 building boom, and in the state鈥檚 unsettled garbage market. 鈥淭he collection routes are longer, the volume is greater, and the loads are heavier,鈥� said Dan Colleluori, Stamford鈥檚 director of recycling and sanitation. 鈥淲e鈥檙e picking up more residences. We鈥檙e picking up more garbage downtown and in the parks.鈥�
Two years ago 鈥渨e did almost 70,000 tons of garbage out the door. Last year it was 76,000 tons,鈥� Colleluori said. 鈥淭his year we projected 76,000 tons again, but it looks like it will be more like 85,000 tons. Is that from increased population density? Partially. It鈥檚 also from many more contractors bringing their garbage to us.鈥�