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Solid Waste Management

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1. I just returned home to find a non-compliance warning sticker on my barrel. What is it for?

Non-compliance warnings are an educational tool used to inform residents when they are not in compliance with current policies, By-laws, state laws or regulations. The sticker should have a box checked indicating the reason for the warning. More...

2. I have been using this barrel for a long time and have not received a warning before, why?

The answer to this question is multi-facetted. Factors such as the employee safety, fiscal responsibility, and equitable policy enforcement influence the answer to this question. The policy upon which this enforcement is currently based was originally adopted in October of 1999. Organized and equitable enforcement of the policy began after it was reaffirmed in 2007. Enforcement was applied systematically to target the most severe offenders first with the largest barrels. Since early 2007 we have sent out more than 2,300 letters in an effort to educate our residents regarding the three barrel, 40 pound or 35 gallon capacity limit on trash and barrels. Barrel size enforcement was applied incrementally based on capacity. Currently we are in the last phase of the 50 to 36 gallon barrels.

3. Why does my barrel capacity matter?

Your collector will generally lift between 1500 to 2000 barrels (2000 to 6000 bags) during an average day. As a consequence of the repeated lifting motions involved, a natural tensioning of the back muscles occurs that make them more prone to strains . When confronted with over-sized barrels the collector is forced to either lift the container awkwardly or reach into it to remove the individual bags. Both actions have the potential to inflicted injury. If the collector lifts the barrel the incidence of back, knee and shoulder injury increases. If the collector reaches into a barrel there is the risk of being lacerated or stuck by illegally disposed of needles and syringes. “Each week in Massachusetts homes, patients use an estimated 2 million needles to inject medication to treat diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other ailments. Needles can be necessary, too, for women undergoing fertility treatments. And tens of thousands of needles deliver life-preserving drugs to ailing pets.”

4. Are we really saving money by limiting trash and barrel capacities?

Yes. In 2007 the Board of Selectmen reaffirmed this policy with the intention of not only protecting employees, but also as a way to increase recycling and cost savings through avoided trash disposal. With the combination of high disposal costs and recent tightening on all budgets, it has become necessary to continue to monitor the quantity of trash we dispose of weekly. For example, if we were to take what is perhaps the most common barrel tagged for non-compliance, the upright 45 gallon green barrel with wheels, and calculate the potential over weight estimations using this barrel and the number of households we service weekly, it could cost the Town an additional $23,348.53 per week.

Examples:

45 gallon barrel holds 51 pounds
35 gallon barrel holds 40 pounds
= 11 lbs extra.
3 barrels per household x 11 lbs extra
= 33 lbs extra per household.
33 lbs extra per household x 16,796 households serviced per week.
= 554,268 lbs extra per week
= 277.134 tons
277.134 tons @ approx $84.25 per ton
= $23,348.53 extra/week

5. What type of barrels can I use?

Acceptable barrels are less than or equal to 35 gallon capacity.

6. Can my barrel have wheels?

Yes.

7. Can my barrel have handles?

Yes. (Sturdy ones).

8. Can my barrel have a lid?

Yes.

9. Can my barrel have an attached/ hinged lid?

We do not recommend it. For the safety of our collectors we ask that the barrels not have hinged or tethered lids. The attached or tethered covers however do actually pose a significant problem for the routine handling of refuse in trash containers. The lids, either tethered or attached, frequently catch on the truck or interfere with the dumping action of the container. This frequently will cause the collector, in the effort to overcome the cover catching or closing during the dumping action, to make an exaggerated movement while holding a heavy container. This has resulted in back and face injuries to our personnel. The collector typically needs both hands free to empty a container, one for the top of the container and the other for the bottom of the container to assist the lifting action and to tip the container into the truck hopper. When a loose cover catches on or in the truck, or interferes with that movement, the collector will react and try to compensate by freeing one of the hands to address the problem. This becomes even more difficult when the collector is performing this work in pouring rain or pelting snow and, like the US mail; we are out collecting refuse every day no matter what the environmental conditions may be. In addition, regulations are currently being promulgated that could prohibit there use in the future.

10. Is the Town responsible for the clean-up of scattered refuse due to vermin?

No.

11. Is the Town providing these barrels to the residents?

No.

12. When is my trash picked up?

Your trash and recyclables are picked up at curbside once each week (as are your recyclables); the collection day depends on where you live. If you don’t know which day, call (508) 532-6001. All trash, and other items to be picked up, need to be placed at curbside by 7:00 am on the pick-up day, but no earlier than 6:00 pm the night before. Please be careful if you put them out the night before, since animals may tear open bags or get into trash barrels during the night. Collectors can not pick up trash that is not in a bag or barrel. Unacceptable material will be left at curbside. More...

13. What happens if my collection day falls on a holiday?

Your trash will be picked up the next day, and everyone else whose collection day follows the holiday will have their trash picked up one day later than usual, so that Friday’s trash will be picked up on Saturday for that week. Holidays in Framingham are: New Years Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday (Monday), President's Day (Monday), Patriots Day (Monday), Memorial Day (Monday), Independence Day, Labor Day (Monday), Columbus Day (Monday), Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. More...

14. Are there any restrictions on what I can put in my trash?

Yes. By state ruling or Framingham By-Law the following are not allowed: hazardous wastes, rubber tires, most metal items, yard waste (grass, leaves, brush), Christmas Trees, recyclables such as newspapers, glass bottles, metal cans, television sets, computer monitors, fluorescent light bulbs, Ni-cad batteries, Lead Acid batteries, any Mercury containing items and lumber or other home construction materials from home repair. More...

15. So, what do I do with items that I cannot put in my trash?

The Solid Waste Management Department conducts special pickups for almost all of these items except propane tanks, lumber and demolition materials which are not accepted at curbside or at the Recycle Drop-off Center.
Some alternatives for disposal of construction/demolition materials are:
• Using the hired tradesman who did the work to dispose of the materials.
• Hire a hauling contractor for a fee. These contractors are listed in the yellow pages under "Rubbish and Garbage removal".
• Both Holliston Transfer Station on Rt.16 and Marlboro Transfer Station on Boston Post Rd. accept these materials. Call these sites beforehand to check on fees and policies.
More...

16. When is the Recycle Drop-off Center on Mt. Wayte Ave open?

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. year round (except holidays). You will need to prove that you are a Framingham resident by showing a valid registration stating the vehicle is registered in Framingham. Purchase an annual vehicle identification sticker for $10.00 (Valid January thru December) to use the facility. Commercial vehicles are only authorized to use the facility on Thursdays 8am-3pm. More...

17. If I don't have a yellow barrel for recyclables, where do I get one?

You can pick one up at the Department of Public Works office in the Memorial Building or at the Recycle Drop-off Center on Mt. Wayte Avenue when it is open. The cost of the barrel is $10. More...

18. Where do my recyclables go?

These are currently brought by our collection contractor Waste Management to a Material Recovery Facility, sorted, and marketed to companies that can reuse the material.

19. Why can't I recycle my used pizza boxes?

Click here to find out the answer to: The Pizza Box Mystery

20. Where does my trash go?

Our sanitation trucks bring it to a transfer station in Marlboro owned by Waste Management.

21. Why do I have to put my leaves and grass in special paper bags?

You don’t have to put them in the special biodegradable bags. You can put them in barrels clearly marked “Yard Waste” and leave them out on the same day that your trash is collected during the weeks that yard waste is collected, no more than 40 lbs. No plastic bags are acceptable. Alternatively, you can bring the yard waste to the Compost Area on Dudley Road, which is open to coincide with the Recycle Drop-off Center (see above for hours). The paper bags are used because they are more cost efficient to pick up and are known to be biodegradable, thus saving the town (and the taxpayer) money in collection costs. Please call the Sanitation Department at 532-6001 if you have questions.

22. Can I use a borrowed or rental vehicle at the Recycling Drop-off Center?

No, only vehicles that are registered in the Town of Framingham can use the Recycling Drop-off Center with a valid permit.

23. Where can I get biodegradable leaf bags?

Biodegradable paper yard waste bags are available for purchase at most local hardware stores. Prices and availability may vary.

24. Are there any restrictions on the amount of trash and the size of the receptacle that can be placed for weekly curbside collection?

Yes, according to the Board of Selectmen’s Policy on Trash collection, “the amount of household trash that is eligible for curbside collection per week shall be limited to three (3) 35-gallon barrels or an equal amount in volume of bags and/or barrels …and shall weigh no more than 40 pounds each.” Any amount of trash in excess of these limits will be refused collection, tagged and a fine may be issued for non-compliance. Trash in excess of these limits may be taken to the Recycling Drop-off Center for disposal if the resident has a valid Permit. More...

25. When is household hazardous waste collection day held?

There is an annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day held in October of each year. Items listed as accepted may be disposed of during this event. Watch your newspaper for an announcement of the specific day. Items listed as NOT accepted require private contractor handling. All products must be labeled and placed in a box (no paper or plastic bags, please). More...

26. How must I bundle my brush and yard waste?

Yard Waste is defined as leaves, grass clippings, shrub trimmings, plant cuttings and non-woody organic garden waste only. Brush is defined as wood waste from bushes and trees that is less than four inches in diameter. Materials such as dirt, sand, sod, rocks, stumps or trunks will not be accepted. Pieces of brush must be no more than 4” in diameter and no more than four feet long. Brush must be tied and bundled in lengths of four feet or less and weigh no more than forty pounds per bundle. Brush not meeting the above criteria will not be accepted at the Dudley Road Yard Waste Drop-Off Site. This also makes it easier to load the brush into the trucks, and reduces the cost to the Town. More...

27. How do I dispose of latex paint?

Latex paint can be mixed with kitty litter or speedy dry. Allow the paint to harden and place it out at the curb with the cover off on your trash day. More...

28. Can I have bulky house hold items picked up curbside?

The Solid Waste Management Department conducts curbside pickup of bulky items by appointment and for a fee. Residents may pay for and schedule a pickup at the Department of Public Works office located in Room 213 (Hours - Mon 8:30-7:00, Tue-Fri 8:30-5:00) of the Memorial Building or at the Recycling Center located on Mt. Wayte Avenue (Hours - Fri-Sat 8:00-3:00, Sun 11:00-3:00). There is no charge for items taken to the Recycling Drop-off Center EXCEPT FOR televisions, computer monitors, lap tops, sleep sofas, tires and items containing FREON or propane tanks. Please keep as much metal out of your trash as possible and recycle it. Fees and Schedule

29. What can I recycle?

Recyclables are picked up by a contractor, Waste Management, on the same day as your trash. A recycling barrel can be purchased at the Recycling Drop-off Center on Mt. Wayte Ave. or at the DPW office in the Memorial Building. Newspapers and other paper items, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, aluminum foil, plastic bottles marked with a recycle symbol and any number 1 thru 7, can be recycled. A complete list is presented below. Just put the recycling bin/barrel out at the same time as your regular trash. Curbside Recycling