Automated Trash and Recycling Starts This Week

Wilmington’s automated trash and recycling program officially begins July 1.

Containers are still being dropped off at households and information has been sent out to residents.

Here’s what you need to know as the program gets underway:

Collection Guidelines:

Starting Wednesday, July 1, town trash and curbside recycling collections will change from conventional collection methods to an automated collection method. This automated system uses special trucks, equipped with a mechanical/robotic arm that automatically lifts and empties special trash and recycling containers. Each single-family household and legal 2, 3, and 4-family households with municipal trash collection will receive one automated trash and one automated recycling container for each legal unit.

Automated Trash and Recycling Container Guidelines:

• Do not use either the Automated Trash Container or the Automated Recycling Container before July 1.

• Residents should place the automated trash and recycling containers at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. Trash is collected each week, while recycling materials are collected according to an every-other-week schedule. If the automated containers are not at the curb when the truck is at your residence, you will need to hold the materials for the following week. Recyclable materials will need to be held for two weeks.

• Leave adequate space (3 feet) around the automated trash and recycling containers to allow room for the automated collection arm. The handles and wheels must face away from the street.

• The containers should be no more than three (3) feet from the curb or road edge and the arrows on the lid must point toward the street. Do not place the containers below low hanging wires or tree branches.

• Do not overfill the trash or recycling containers. The lids must be closed.

• Ordinary household rubbish is the only trash that should go into the trash container, while recyclables are the only materials which can be placed in the automated recycling container. Hazardous waste, construction debris and yard waste should not be put in either container. The refuse contractor will not collect automated containers with inappropriate materials.

• Household trash not placed in the automated container or town overflow bag will not be picked up. Recyclables not placed in automated container will not be picked up.

• The automated trash and recycling containers are assigned to a specific address by serial number. These containers must be left at the property if the resident moves from the home. The containers remain the property of the Town of Wilmington.

• Overflow Bags are available for purchase and can be obtained at various supermarkets in the Wilmington area. Overflow bags should be used during weeks of excessive trash.

• Residents may apply to rent an additional automated trash container by calling Russell Disposal at 617- 776-5854. The annual rental fee for a second cart is $150 for the first year and $100 for each subsequent year. The fee includes the rental of the cart and the collection and disposal of the additional refuse.

• Residents may purchase a second recycling container for $30. Residents may not return the additional recycling container after purchase.

• Bulky Items (chairs, couches, tables, etc.) will be picked up on Fridays. You must call Russell Disposal at 617-776-5854 to arrange for bulky item pickup. Residents are limited to one item per week. There is no cost for bulky item pickup.

• White Goods (refrigerators, stoves, dryers, etc.) and TV/CRT Monitors will continue to be picked up on Fridays. Stickers are required and can be obtained at Tax Collector’s Office at the Town Hall. The $10 fee per item remains unchanged.

Any question on the new program can be directed to the Wilmington Department of Public Works at 978-658-4481.