The Town's Visible Recycling Ban
On September 1, 2006 the Town of Lexington started strictly enforcing the State's ban on recyclables in the waste stream. Consequently, our trash vendor no longer picks up any items thrown out in the trash that could otherwise be recycled in the Town’s curbside recycling program. Please read on for more information on this program. If you have any further questions, contact DPW Operations at 781-861-2757.
Why is the Town implementing this new program? This is not a new program. In 1988, the Town implemented a mandatory recycling bylaw. The State has also banned recyclables and many items, like televisions, yard waste and appliances, from the waste stream since the early 1990s. This program is just the enforcement of the current laws. Over the last four years, Lexington's trash disposal tonnage has been increasing while it's recycling tonnage has been decreasing.
The Board of Selectmen decided to actively enforce these laws to save money on trash disposal and reduce the size of the June 2006 override. Since the Board reduced the amount budgeted for trash disposal, the total Lexington trash tonnage must also decrease in order for our trash disposal costs stay within budget. Please click through to see the recycling ban financial information.
How
will the Visible Recycling Ban work? If
the trash collectors see a recyclable item in the trash, they will leave a
sticker on the item explaining why they did not collect it. The trash
collectors will not open trash bags, but will tag obvious recyclables in the
trash like cardboard boxes or plastic jugs. Cardboard boxes used as trash
containers will not be taken.
Waste Ban and Recycling Preparation Photos and
Waste Ban and Recycling
Preparation Presentation
How
can I dispose of my cardboard boxes? Cardboard boxes recycled curbside must
be cut and flattened to a size no greater than 48“x 48” in order to fit into the
recycling truck. Multiple pieces of cardboard must be tied and bundled next to
your recycling bin. Flattened, unbundled cardboard 3 feet or less can also be
disposed of at the Hartwell Avenue Composting Facility and flattened, unbundled
cardboard 5 feet or less can be dropped off 24 hours a day at the cardboard
dumpster in front of the DPW Facility at 201 Bedford Street. Pizza boxes cannot
be recycled and must be thrown in the trash.
Where can I get more
recycling bins? Each Lexington household can get 2 bins for
free. Additional recycling bins are
available for $6.00 at 201 Bedford Street 781-861-2757. You can also make your
own recycling bin by reusing a container that you already have. Clearly mark it
in water-proof ink as a recycling container, or pick up colorful recycling
decals at the DPW Facility.
How can I reduce my trash? There are several ways to reduce the amount of trash you throw away. Recycling cardboard can reduce the weight of your trash significantly, as an averaged sized cardboard box weighs about 1 pound. Composting organic food scraps, buying products with less packaging, donating furniture, books, and household items, and recycling all your plastic, glass and cans can make a big difference in the amount of trash you throw out. Your trash is another person's treasure, so use websites such as FreeCycle or Craig's List to get rid of unwanted household items.
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