Single Stream Manual Recycling begins

Wakefield residents with municipal trash collection can now utilize single stream manual recycling at curbside. The new program will go into effect on July 7th.

            This means that Wakefield residents will no longer need to separate and sort recyclables into separate containers, according to Wakefield Department of Public Works Director Richard Stinson.

            “Newspaper and cardboard can now be placed in containers with cans, bottles and plastics,” The Director said. “All recyclable materials can be together in one large container and residents can use their existing recycling containers or trash barrels for their recycling. This will be especially helpful and economical when the automated refuse collection begins on September 29th, 2014.”

            Recycling stickers will be available to residents who utilize their current refuse barrel for recycling beginning on July 21st. This will help differentiate between recycling and trash containers.

            In addition to placing newspapers with other recyclable materials, they will no longer need to be tied or placed in paper bags.

            Among the recyclables which can now be placed in one container are:

·         White or colored office paper

·         Paper egg cartons

·         Paper milk/juice containers

·         # 1 - #7 plastic bottles, jugs

·         #1 - #7 plastic tub screw tops

·         Cardboard 3’ x 3’ cut and flattened

·         Empty paper bags

·         Mail, greeting cards

·         Clean paperboard boxes

·         Cans

·         Clean pie plates and clean balled aluminum foil (no food or grease)

·         Blueprints

·         Paper books

·         Magazines, brochures, catalogs

·         Newspaper inserts

·         Jar lids

·         File folders

            Residents will not need to remove paper clips, stamps, address labels, staples, tape, metal fasteners, rubber bands, spiral bindings, and plastic tabs.

            Items not accepted as recyclables include:

·         Plastic bags

·         Styrofoam

·         Tissues, paper towels, napkins

·         Waxed paper, waxed cardboard

·         Drinking glasses, window glass

·         Scrap metal

·         Tyvek envelopes

·         Plastic 6-pack holders

·         Mirrors, ceramics or pyrex

·         Light bulbs, plates or vases

·         Hazardous or bio-hazardous waste

·         Plastics other than those listed

·         Stickers or sheets of address labels (affixed address labels and stamps are accepted)

·         Oil or oil products

            Residents are reminded that the single stream manual curbside recycling program will remain an every-other week program, and that recycling collection is mandatory for all residents who receive Town refuse collection.

            The Town will change its residential trash collection program on September 29th, 2014.  Please watch for additional information regarding the trash program changes.

            For information about the single stream manual recycling program, or automated trash collection, please call the Wakefield DPW at 781-246-6301, or visit the website: www.wakefield.ma.us.