Westborough Is Trying To Have Less Trash, And More Recycling

WESTBOROUGH, MA—According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Westborough has one of the highest rates of trash tonnage per household in Central Massachusetts.

To help address this issue, the Board of Health received a grant from the DEP in 2016 to research ways to reduce the total amount of trash discarded by Westborough residents, said the announcement.

A committee was formed to evaluate the options and propose the best long‐term trash and recycling plan for the town. A program in which all residents would have curbside recycling and trash collection was among those considered. Residents would be required to purchase bags for their trash and the recycling would be free. This option would eliminate residents having to drop off their trash at Harvey's facility.

Town officials announced that after weighing the pros and cons of this program and others, the committee decided to work diligently to decrease the town’s trash tonnage and increase recycling through other measures.

These initial measures include:

• Increasing Recycling—The Board of Health would like to remind residents that recycling is mandatory. Not only is recycling good for the environment, it saves money. In fact, every ton of material that is recycled instead of discarded as trash saves tax payers $109.
• Recycling is now easier than ever, with minimal sorting required. Paper, metal, and plastics can now be put in the same bin (comingled). Only cardboard and glass need to be placed in separate, appropriately marked bins. Regarding plastics, we now accept plastic containers labeled 1‐7, which covers the vast majority of containers used in homes. Please see the attendant if you have any questions about recycling.
• The recycling facility at Harvey’s is available to all Westborough residents. If you currently have curbside pickup for your trash, you are eligible for a free recycling sticker that allows you to bring all of your recyclable goods to the transfer station.
• Goodwill Boxes ‐ Clothes and textiles can be donated in varying states of quality. Fabric that is ripped or stained may be sold as bulk salvage on an international rag market. The only unacceptable donations are wet/moldy items and items contaminated with oil or other hazardous substances. This alternative keeps the material from going to landfills.
• Discontinuing the Collection of Construction & Demolition Debris—As of July 1, 2018, the Westborough transfer station will no longer accept construction or demolition debris (C&D). Eliminating the collection of these C&D materials will decrease the amount of illegal dumping by non‐residents and/or contractors, as well as reduce the total trash tonnage that Westborough produces.

Find out more here.

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