RI state landfill lays off 19 workers

JOHNSTON, R.I. (AP) - Even the trash business is feeling the economic pinch.

The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp., which operates the state's Central Landfill in Johnston, has laid off 19 workers to climb out of the red. Hourly workers to managers were let go.

Director Michael O'Connell tells The Providence Journal the volume of trash flowing into the landfill has dropped 25 percent from last year when Rhode Islanders tossed away 388,000 tons of garbage.

Recycling revenues are down 40 percent.
The independent agency's finances went into the red in the summer forcing a 16 percent reduction in the work force.

O'Connell estimated the layoffs will save nearly $2 million in the next year.