How is trash and recycling disposed of in Arlington?
As of July 1, 2004, trash and recycling collection is a curb-side program performed by Waste Management Inc. under the management of the Public Works Department.
Trash pick-up is done on a weekly basis throughout the Town, recycling is done bi-weekly.
Businesses that are on town trash pick-up must purchase orange bags for trash; recycling is free.
When a scheduled collection day falls on a holiday, that day's collection and all remaining collections for the week will be delayed one day. Friday's collection will be on Saturday.
No construction debris will be taken in regular trash
Any problems with collection, please call Waste Management at :
781-933-2113 or 1-800-649-2945.
Recycling: How do I know what week my recycling is picked up?
Recycling in Arlington is collected every other week on your regular trash-collection day.
Is your recycling picked up on the triangle route or the circle route?
When a scheduled collection day falls on a holiday, that day's collection and all remaining
collections for the week will be delayed one day. Friday's collection will be on Saturday.
Compost Bins For Sale
If you are interested in a compost bin for your back yard, they are on sale at the Department of Public Works office on the second floor of the Town Hall Annex. The new-age composter BIN-24 holds 24 cubic feet, has an adjustable diameter and is self-aerating. The price is $40 made available through a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Make checks payable to “Town of Arlington.” Questions? Call the DPW at 781-316-3108.
The New Age Composter (24 cu. ft.) are $40 each.
How to obtain a rain barrel?
The Town of Arlington is sponsoring a Rain Barrel Sale on two different models through a grant from Mass DEP.
We are all aware of the high price of water. Add the high level of environmental conscience in Arlington residents, and it explains the huge interest in Rainbarrels. We are offering two different Rainbarrels for sale at a reduced rate through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Grant. If you are interested in purchasing a Skyjuice or New England Rainbarrel, you can find more information on our website at www.town.arlington.ma.us or call Ruth Yannetti at 781-316-3108. Or check the Skyjuice website http://www.skyjuice.us/html/madep_.html or New England Rainbarrel Company directly at http://www.nerainbarrel.com/Arlington.html or 978-927-0711.
Order a Rainbarrel from New England Rainbarrel at a special reduced price for Arlington residents.
Call the DPW at 781-316-3108 if you have any questions.
To order a New England Rain Barrel or for detailed product information
The New Englander"The Blue Barrel for the Green Owner." Comes complete with 5' starter hose.
Connector Kit - Designed to fill two barrels from one downspout. Contains a specially produced 5' hose with female fittings on both ends and a "Y" connector - $14.99
Recycle Inkjet and Toner cartridges and Cell Phones
Bring used toner cartridges and old cell phones to the DPW office in the Town Hall Annex for recycling. You can take postage-paid mailing envelopes for recycling inkjet cartridges from home or office computer printers. If they are used to make new items to be sold, the Arlington Garden Club receives a donation. You can purchase recycled cartridges by logging on to www.Recyclefirst.com or come to the DPW office for more info.
What Yard Waste can be collected?
Remember that tree branches must be less than 3 feet long and 1 inches thick.
Put leaves and branches in barrels marked with yard waste or in brown paper bags.
Branches can be bundled and tied. Bundles must be less than 30 " wide and weigh less than 30 lbs.
Do not use plastic bags or include stumps or dirt. And do not mix trash with yard waste. This will result in these items not being collected.
Have bags, bundles or barrels at the curb by 7 a.m. Any questions, call the DPW office at 781-316-3108.
When are CRTs from TVs and Computers collected?
CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) from Televisions and computer monitors cannot be collected by Waste Management in regular solid waste collection. CRTs and TVs are picked up curbside on schedule dates. You must first purchase a sticker ($15 p/unit for pick up) from the DPW 24 hours before the pick up date. Drop off charge is $10 and is only on scheduled days. VCRs, CPUs and other computer parts can be put in the regular trash.
The next scheduled pick up/drop off date May 3 (Arlington Community Recycle Day drop off 9a-1p, 51 Grove Street $10 p/unit)
March 15 (curbside only)
How do I get an appliance removed?
In May 2002, Town Meeting voted to charge residents $15 per unit for curbside collection of TVs and other appliances. If you would like to have the DPW pick your unit up, please purchase a sticker and you will be scheduled for your next trash day. Any questions, call the DPW office on 51 Grove Street at 781-316-3104.
As of Jan. 1, 2003, there has been a $15 charge to pick up appliances, white goods and CRTs/TVs. In this way, residents pay only when they have one of these items collected. Residents must purchase a sticker for $15 at the DPW office or send a check to: "Town of Arlington", Department of Public Works 51 Grove Street, Arlington, MA 02476. It must be attached to the front of their item and placed on the curb on the designated day. Call the Department of Public Works for more information at 781-316-3104. Residents must call the DPW office at least 24 hours before their regular trash day to schedule a pick-up.
Below is a partial list of items that need to have stickers:
Computer monitors/TVs
Air-conditioners
Dishwashers
Washing machines
Dryer
Oil burners
Dehumidifiers
Hot-water heaters
Stoves
Refrigerators and freezers (doors removed)
Large metal desks or cabinets
Microwave ovens can go in the regular trash
How do I dispose of old thermostats?
Please dispose of old thermostats at the DPW office on the second floor of the Building Department at 51 Grove Street. They contain mercury - the Board of Health will fine contractors who dispose of them improperly.
How do Arlington Residents dispose of Hazardous Waste Products?
Arlington residents can bring household hazardous waste to the Minuteman HHP Site in Lexington on Hartwell Ave. Collection days are scheduled from April - November on one Satuday per month. Call 781-316-3108 for dates.
To get to the collection site:
Proceed west on Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington Center. Pass the Minuteman statue on your left and keep going straight about 2 miles. Move to the right lane shortly after crossing I-95 and turn right to get to Hartwell Avenue. Shortly after passing the light at the bikepath, turn left at the sign for the Minuteman Household Product Facility and follow the signs and directions of the volunteer traffic coordinators.
Minuteman Household Hazardous Waste, Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02173
Products that should be brought to the Minuteman Household Hazardous Waste site:
Pesticides and Herbicides:
Insecticides, rat poisons, slug bait, mothballs, weed killers, flea, and roach powders. Insect repellent.
Paints, Solvents and sealers:
Oil based paints and stains, paint thinners and strippers, varnishes, shellacs and lacquers, metal polishes, aerosols.
Do not bring latex paint. It is water-based all you need to do is dry it out and put in regular trash.
Auto Care Products:
Engine Cleaners, degreasers, tar remover, used oil, gas and gas mixtures, antifreeze, brake fluid, waxes and polishes, automotive batteries.
Cleaners:
Bleach, spot removers, oven cleaners, polishes, disinfectants, rug and toilet cleaners.
Miscellaneous:
Fluorescent bulbs, mercury switches or thermostats, poisons, pool chemicals, propane tanks up to 20 lbs., old chemistry sets, kerosene, dyes, non-alkaline batteries.
Please do not bring:
Explosives or ammunition
Asbestos
Medical waste or syringes
Radioactive materials
Prescription or narcotic drugs
Cathode Ray Tubes (TV’s, computer monitors)
Water based (LATEX) paints
Hints:
Mercury thermometers and thermostats and button batteries can be brought to the DPW office in the Town Hall Annex.
Dried or solidified latex paint and smoke detectors may be put into the trash and should not be brought to the hazardous waste collection.
Fluorescent bulbs can be brought to Wanamaker Hardware store on Mass Ave in the Heights or Ace Hardware on Mills Street of Mass Ave and Summer St.
Combine waste with your neighbors to reduce the number of trips. The town is billed on a per car basis.
Waste oil can be returned to the place of purchase.
Have you ever considered rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeable batteries are more cost effective than one use alkaline batteries (Consumer Reports, March 2001, pg. 54). Imagine the impact on waste disposal.
It better to use and properly discard a "hazardous waste" rechargeable than to throw out at least 30 to 40 times as many "regular trashable" alkaline batteries?
If you have additional questions, call the DPW at 781-316-3108 for information on what to do with these products.
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