Additional Trash and Recycling Information
- REMINDER: When placing trash out for collection, please keep in mind that the Board of Health Regulations limit the amount of trash to be placed curbside to one (1) sixty-four (64) gallon trash cart per dwelling.
- The Board of Health is responsible for regulating the collection, transportation and disposal of garbage, offal and other offensive substances within the community. They also enforce State and Local rules governing residential and commercial solid waste storage and disposal practices and act upon complaints of illegal or improper solid waste disposal.
Helpful Information:
- To contact the Health Department regarding other issues please call 978-374-2325
- To contact the Solid Waste and Recycling Department call 978-420-3817.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Q: Do I put my recyclables out on Red or Blue week?
A: To find out what color and day to place your recyclables, visit the Street Directory Here.
- Q: How do I report a missed trash or recycling pickup?
A: To report missed refuse or recycling collection please call Capitol Waste at 1-866-569-1718.
- Q: What happens to collection during a Holiday?
A: Legal holidays push refuse and recycling collection back one (1) day starting on the Holiday. For example: If a Holiday falls on a Monday then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections are all pushed back one (1) day. Monday will be picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday will be picked up on Wednesday and so forth. If a Holiday falls on a Wednesday, then Monday and Tuesday are not effected but Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections are pushed back one (1) day.
Rules and Regulations:
The Board of Health has the following local regulations on file at the Health Department relative to solid waste storage, collection and disposal. Rules and Regulations regarding Litter, Garbage and Refuse adopted 8/11/98. Copies can be obtained in the Health Department in Room 210 of the City Hall.
Residents should know the following:
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The Board of Health has a mandatory single stream recycling regulation that requires residents to separate these items from their household trash. Single stream recycling will be collected every other week on the same day as the household’s normal trash.
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Trash shall not be placed at the curb prior to 4:00pm on the day before the scheduled collection, and must be out by 6:00am the day of collection. Legal holidays will delay pickup by one day.
- Outside storage of household trash must be in watertight containers with tight fitting lids.
- Each eligible Household shall be issued one (1) 64-gallon wheeled trash cart for the disposal of Household Trash unless otherwise determined by the Director of Health and Inspectional Services or his/her designee. The Director of Health and Inspectional Services or his/her designee reserves the right to order a condominium complex, private/public development, subdivision, or any other entity to use dumpsters or other means of collection, the cost of which is to be incurred by such entity, in order to best suit the needs of the Households and to maintain the functionality and feasibility of the municipal collection service.
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Refuse containers must be removed from the curb by 11:59 PM the day of collection.
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Residents are responsible for picking up loose trash left at the curb after collection.
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Dried out latex paint and empty paint cans can be disposed of in your regular household trash
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Oil based paints must be disposed of at the Hazardous Waste Collection Event for information please call 978-420-3817.
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Alkaline Batteries can be disposed of in your regular household trash - Nicad batteries and Rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at the Recycling Center - 500 Primrose St - Wed or Sat 8 - 1
Banned Items:
The following items are banned from being placed in the trash. If placed out for collection they will be left at the curb. Please call The Solid Waste and Recycling Department or check our recycling page to find out where they can be recycled and disposed of:
- Appliances
- Air Conditioners
- Televisions
- Computers
- Fluorescent Light Fixtures
- Waste Oil
- Leaves and yard waste
- Tires
- Automobiles bodies
- Engines
- Commercial or Industrial Waste
- Batteries
- Car Batteries
- NiCad Batteries
- Rechargeable Batteries
- Chain Link Fence
- Wood
- Demolition Debris
- Metals and Iron
The above is just a partial list of banned materials.
For more information on Curbside Recycling from the Mayor - Click Here