MELROSE RECYCLING INFORMATION
Schedule
Melrose Public Works provides biweekly recycling collection on the same day of the week as your trash collection. The City is divided into “Red” and “Green” recycling collection routes; each route receives collection service every other week based on the recycling calendar. If you do not know if you reside in a “Red” route or a “Green” route, contact Public Works at 781.979.4170.
Bins
Red or green recycling bins may be obtained at the Public Works Operations Facility (“City Yard”) located at 72 Tremont Street. Residents may also label a barrel for recycling. Stickers to label barrels are available at no cost in the Public Works Office located in City Hall. If you choose to use a barrel for recycling, please be aware that the maximum weight to ensure collection is 45 pounds, and that you must continue to separate paper from containers (see below).
*First bin free of charge.
Acceptable Materials for Recycling
The following chart lists materials accepted in Melrose’s curbside recycling program, as well as the appropriate way to prepare these materials for recycling.
When placing recyclable materials at the curb for collection, place glass, plastic, and metal containers directly into your recycling bin; place paper products inside a paper bag and set on top of or next to your bin. Note that mixing paper with containers directly in the bin constitutes contamination, and may result in your bin not being emptied.
Do not place paper or plastics in plastic bags. Plastic bags, even with the recycle logo are not collected.
Corrugated cardboard must be flattened and cut to 2’ x 2’ pieces, then tied into a bundle with string or twine and placed next to your recycling bin. Boxes that have not been flattened and cardboard pieces larger than 2’ x 2’ in size will not fit into the recycling truck.
|
Item |
Include |
How to Prepare |
Exclude |
|
Paper |
Office paper, file folders, newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines & catalogs, junk mail, letters, cards, envelopes, paperboard boxes (cereal, crackers, etc), soft & hardcover books, spiral notebooks & writing tablets, phone books, paper bags |
Paper must be clean and dry. Remove plastic liners in food boxes. Windowed envelopes, staples, and paperclips are okay. |
Shredded paper (see below for instructions). Plastic bags, paper cups and plates, napkins, tissues, paper towels, plastic “Tyvek” envelopes, wet or soiled paper, any packaging that has come in direct contact with food (such as paper take-out sandwich wrappings, pizza boxes, or cardboard instant soup containers). |
|
Shredded Paper |
Any paper shredded for confidentiality purposes (such as bills, credit card solicitations, etc.) |
Contain in a paper bag separate from other paper; fold over the top and staple closed. Clearly label bag “Shredded Paper.” |
Any non-paper items |
|
Corrugated Cardboard |
Clean dry corrugated cardboard boxes. |
Flatten; cut to 2’ x 2’ in size (larger pieces will not fit into the recycling truck), and tie into a bundle with string or twine. |
Wet or soiled cardboard, waxy cardboard, Styrofoam padding, plastic strapping, shrink wrap, bubble wrap |
|
Glass |
All bottles & jars, clear or colored glass, deposit or non-deposit |
Rinse clean. Label may be left on. |
Pyrex, plate glass, auto glass, window glass, dishes, ceramics, mirrors, light bulbs, any other non-container glass |
|
Aluminum and other metal cans |
All aluminum and steel (“tin”) food or beverage cans and containers, deposit or non-deposit. |
Rinse clean. May flatten to save space. Label may be left on. |
Aluminum foil, aerosol cans, paint cans, cans containing hazardous materials, scrap metal |
|
Plastic |
Containers labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 in the recycling triangle (usually located on the bottom of the container). |
Rinse clean. May flatten to save space. Label may be left on. |
Plastic bags, plastic wrap, containers containing chemicals or motor oil, block Styrofoam, packing peanuts, unnumbered plastics |
Drop-off Recyling
City Yard is open for recycling drop-off Mon-Fri 7:30AM-2:45PM and
seasonally Sat 8:00AM-3:00PM, Sun 9:00AM-12:00PMFor information, call City Hall, 781-979-4170 or the City Yard, 781-665-0142, or Email: publicworks@cityofmelrose.org
Acceptable Materials for Recycling
Residents may drop off all recyclable materials accepted in the curbside recycling program at the City Yard. All items should be placed in the appropriately marked containers. The City Yard also accepts the following items:
|
Item |
Include |
How to prepare |
Exclude |
|
Clothing & Textiles |
Clean, dry clothing. |
All materials should be clean and dry. Package in plastic bags tied shut, place in appropriately marked container. |
Toys, food products, dishes, books, furniture, other non-clothing items for donation. |
|
Yard Waste |
Leaves, grass clippings, branches and brush less than one inch (1”) in diameter |
Leaves & grass can be placed in paper leaf bags (available at home improvement stores) or delivered loose. Branches and brush should be bundled. When dropping off, place each type of yard waste in the appropriately marked area. |
Plastic bags, trash, earth, gravel, stones, sand, etc. |
|
Mercury-containing items |
Fluorescent light bulbs, CFL's (compact florescent lights) batteries (alkaline batteries may be thrown in the trash, all others must be recycled), thermostats, fever thermometers |
Take care not to break fragile items such as light bulbs. Bring to the Dispatch Office at the City Yard. |
|
|
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) |
Televisions and computer monitors |
Bring to the Dispatch Office at the City Yard. There is a fee of $7.00 per unit, payable by check only. |
|
| Propane Tanks | Propane tanks from gas grills | Bring to the Dispatch Office at the City Yard. | Acetylene tanks (used in welding), helium tanks, medical tanks (oxygen, etc.) |
|
Latex Paint |
Latex |
Lid off, dried out with drying agent or kitty litter, stir stick in dried paint. |
oil paint, any product that is labeled combustible and must be cleaned with mineral spirits. |
Yard Waste Collection
Curbside Collection
Leaves, grass clippings, and brush up to one inch (1”) in diameter, bundled and tied, will be collected seasonally at the curb on your regular rubbish day according to the recycling schedule. Yard waste must be set out in paper leaf bags or in barrels, and all bags and barrels must weigh less than forty-five (45) pounds. 10 barrel/bag maximum per pick up. Barrels must be labeled with “yard waste” stickers to avoid confusion with regular household waste. Yard waste barrel stickers are available free at the Public Works Office in City Hall. Yard waste barrels without stickers will not be picked up with other yard waste, and by law cannot be picked up as trash.
Drop-off Collection
Leaves, grass clippings, and brush up to one inch (1”) in diameter, bundled and tied, may be dropped off at the City Yard according to the recycling schedule and in accordance with the Solid Waste & Recycling Regulations.
Christmas Trees
During the first two weeks in January, Christmas trees are collected curbside or may be dropped off at Mount Hood. Remove stand and all plastic bags, tinsel, twine, lights, ornaments, etc. Trees in plastic bags cannot be collected.
Special Collection Events
Metal Items
Metal items, such as refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, dryers, iron sinks, pipes, storm doors/windows, hot water heaters, radiators, etc, are picked up curbside by appointment only, on Tuesdays coinciding with the “Red” recycling week. Appointments are made in the Public Works Office in City Hall, and must be made by the Friday prior to collection. There is a fee of $15.00 per item.
Drop-off Days
Public Works holds special drop-off events at the City Yard from time to time for the collection of mercury-containing items, tires, cathode ray tubes (CRTs, primarily found in televisions and computer monitors), and dried latex paint with lid off and stir stick in to prove paint is hardened. These events take place from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, and are held on the third Saturday of April, May, June, September, and November.(Recycling Schedule)
Household Hazardous Waste Day
The City’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event & Special Electronics Drop-off dates are also held at the City Yard, generally on the third Saturday in October. (Recycling Schedule)
Commercial Recyling Options
New in 2006, the City Yard is now open to Melrose businesses for commercially generated recyclable materials. In order to access the site, businesses must display a valid Commercial Recycling Drop-Off Pass. Passes are available free of charge at the Public Works Office in City Hall. Businesses participating in the drop-off program will be provided with the Facility Guidelines, including a list of Acceptable Recyclable Materials. Please note that Public Works reserves the right to revoke Passes for noncompliance with Facility Guidelines.
Summer 2006 Update:
Fluorescent light bulbs have been added to the list of Acceptable Recyclable Materials provided with the Commercial Recycling Drop-Off Pass.
|
Item |
Include |
How to prepare |
Exclude |
|
Fluorescent Light Bulbs, CFLs |
Any fluorescent light bulb, including straight bulbs, circular bulbs, “U-tube” bulbs, etc. |
Use caution when transporting, as these items contain mercury. Bring to Dispatch Office at City Yard. |
Incandescent light bulbs. |
Additional Information
For additional information about the City’s recycling, solid waste, and yard waste/composting programs, contact the Public Works Department at 781.979.4170, the City Yard at 781.665.0142, or email publicworks@cityofmelrose.org or visit City of Melrose Recycling Page.
Since 1990, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has been instituting restrictions on the disposal and transfer for disposal of certain hazardous and/or recyclable items at solid waste facilities in Massachusetts. These restrictions, known as “waste bans,” mean that Melrose residents must remove and recycle banned material from their trash. Including banned materials in your trash increases the risk that the entire truckload will be rejected at the transfer station or charged additional fees.
The following table lists materials that are subject to the waste bans:
Material Including Not Banned Recyclable paper All paper, cardboard, and paperboard products Low-grade paper products: egg cartons, tissue paper, toweling, waxy cardboard, paper plates/cups, etc; any paper that has come in direct contact with food. No waxed paper, milk and juice containers. Glass containers Glass bottles and jars Light bulbs, Pyrex cookware, drinking glasses, plate glass, windows, ceramics, windshields, etc. Metal containers Aluminum, steel, or bi-metal beverage and food containers Non-food containers Single-resin narrow-necked plastics Soda or water bottles, milk jugs, detergent containers, etc. Wide-necked containers such as take-out containers or yogurt containers. Melrose's recycling program accepts most of these containers; look for the recycling triangle on the bottom of the container and click here for a list of materials accepted for recycling. Leaves and Yard Waste Leaves, grass clippings, weeds, garden materials, shrub trimmings, brush one-inch or less in diameter Diseased plants Batteries Lead-acid (automotive) batteries, button batteries Household alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt). Collection buckets for battery recycling are located at the City Yard Dispatch Office and a the Public Works Office in City Hall. White Goods Large household appliances (hot water heaters, freezers, stoves, washing machines, refrigerators, dryers, etc) n/a Whole Tires Motor vehicle tires of all types n/a Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) Any glass tube used to provide the visual display in televisions, computer monitors, and scientific instruments. n/a Asphalt pavement, brick, and concrete Asphalt pavement, brick, and concrete from construction activities and demolition of buildings and similar sources n/a Metal Ferrous and non-ferrous metals derived from building materials, appliances and vehicles, etc. n/a Wood Treated and untreated wood, including wood waste. Wood may be disposed at combustion facilities. Bulky furniture waste such as tables, chairs, desks
More information on the Waste Bans can be found on the DEP website at www.mass.gov/dep. The legal citation is 310 CMR 19.017.