Recycling Tips & Reminders!

At this time, all Waltham residents should be using their new 64-gallon blue wheeled recycling carts. You may have noticed most of the recycling carts being emptied manually. Our Public Works Department has advised that there is currently a grace period in place to allow both residents & our trash removal services to become accustomed to the new system and ensure the correct materials are being recycled in the new carts, especially with the busy holiday season upon us. Once old recycling bins and minor errors are weeded out, the city will begin utilizing the automated pick-up service. Please make note that the entire city will not be serviced using the automated trucks. Some dead ends and one way streets will be picked-up using a truck with an automated lift in the back which requires manual labor of the cart to the lift.

As a reminder, recycling bins will no longer be serviced (you can put your old bin in your new cart and it will be recycled). Only the new recycling carts will be picked up - Do not use your old bin, barrels, or any other container except for the new cart. If you decide that you want a larger bin, after the 3 month trial period, you can call the Waltham Recycling Dept. to swap the 64-gallon cart for the 96-gallon cart. Here are some more recycling tips to follow:

• WHAT TO RECYCLE: All of your recyclables can go together in your new recycling cart, including paper, cardboard boxes, cans, plastic and glass containers and rigid plastics. Corrugated boxes should be collapsed and cut so they will fit in the cart. Large quantities of cardboard can be dropped off in the dumpster in the Public Works Yard, 165 Lexington St. Do NOT put trash or yard waste in your carts. Please make sure you place your new recycling carts at the curb with HANDLES FACING YOUR HOME on your scheduled pick-up day. Ensure that the cart is at least three feet away from surrounding items such as your mailbox, trash cans, utility poles, etc.

• PLASTIC BAGS: Plastic bags get stuck in recycling machinery! Please DO NOT put recyclables in a plastic bag and DO NOT put any plastic bags in your recycling carts. You can recycle bags at local supermarkets

• ELECTRONICS & APPLIANCES: EZ Disposal will pick up TV & computer monitors ONLY, and appliances such as washers, dryers, metal cabinets, refrigerators, freezers & air conditioners, by appointment on your regularly scheduled pick-up day. Pick up’s must be scheduled 24 hours ahead of your pick-up day by calling EZ Disposal at 781-233-2211 (Please place items next to your cart. Driver does not assist with transport of items to curb). For all other items, check out “Best Buy” for their recyclable product list. Electronics that cannot be recycled can be thrown in the trash.

• RIGID PLASTICS: Rigid plastics are accepted in Waltham recycling. This would include items such as 1 & 5 gall buckets with a handle, plastic toys, plastic landscape trays, plastic plant pots, plastic milk & soda crates, kitty litter buckets, plastic laundry baskets, & children’s sized rigid pools. Please place these items in your new recycling cart on your scheduled recycling & trash pick-up day.

Any questions? Please call the Recycling Department at 781-314-3390, or see here for more info: http://www.city.waltham.ma.us/recycling-department