Westford Recycling Commission (WRC)

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Pickup Status:  
Due to the winter storm, Westford recycling and trash collection will be on a ONE-DAY DELAYED schedule the week starting Monday, December 2, 2019.  Thank you for your understanding.

Please Note: Holidays have changed this year for July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Your Trash and Recycling are DELAYED on the following holiday weeks ONLY:
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas
  • New Year's Day

Upcoming Events:

Westford Town Leaf Collection - CHANGE OF DATE

Westford Town Leaf Collection will take place on Saturday, November 9th 2019, as well as Saturday, December 14th 2019.   Please click here for the leaf collection document for more information. PLEASE NOTE: The December 7th collection date has been postponed to December 14th as a result of the recent snowstorms. 

Earth Machine Composters for Sale!

Earth Machine composters for sale to help support our local composting efforts. To purchase an Earth Machine backyard composter for $25, call Denise Seyffert at 978-692-6986 to arrange for payment and delivery.  More details, click here for our brochure.

Thank You Residents! Westford Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The Westford Household Hazardous Waste Collection was a success and many thanks to our residents for your support and participation!

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If you did not attend this event and are looking for other options, click here and explore our reciprocal agreements with other surrounding Massachusetts towns for Household Hazardous Waste programs.

Trash


Issues with trash, please call:  ACME Waste Systems (781) 935-6339: Mon-Fri 8AM - 4PM

Recycling


Issues with recycling, please call: Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545: Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM.  Note the Groton Transfer Station will take recycling free of charge if your curbside pickup is missed.

Hours and Notes:


Please call the phone number(s) above.  If your issue is not resolved within 24 hours, contact the Town Manager's Office at (978) 692-5501.

NOTE:  
Trash barrel 35 gallon max size, limit 3 barrels.  

If there are recyclables in your trash and/or there is no recycling container out on your recycling day, the trash hauler will not pick up the trash.

Please do not put plastic bags in recycling bins or toters, or recycle items in plastic bags as these bags will jam the recycling sorting machines.

Meetings


  • 7:00 PM
  • 2nd Thursday evening of every month
  • No meetings are held in August and December
  • Westford Town Hall
    55 Main Street
    Westford, MA 01886.
  • View all meeting minutes
Westford Recycling Commission

New Recycling Vendor - Waste Management


Starting July 1st, 2019, both residential and municipal recycling in Westford are picked up by Waste Management. Please review the following information for our best practices in making our recycling program successful:

  • Recycling in plastic bags will be rejected. PLEASE NO PLASTIC BAGS.
  • Please rinse and clean any glass, plastic or metal containers as best as possible.
  • Recycling and trash must be at the curb no later than 7 a.m. for pick up.
  • Recycling and trash pickups may be delayed by 1 day, see the holiday schedule above for specific dates.
  • Recycling and trash must be separated (either side of the driveway is best) and clearly marked.
  • Cardboard must be flattened and cut into sizes no greater than 3 feet by 3 feet.
  • Please continue to use existing yellow and black toters (owned by the Town) and other acceptable recycling bins and toters.
Should you encounter an issue, please call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 and if your question is not answered, please contact the Town Manager's Office at 978-692-5501 extension #1.

Westford Plastic Bag Reduction Program

Please note that Westford's plastic bag reduction program goes into effect on January 1, 2019.  For more information, please contact the Westford Board of Health at (978) 692-5509.

Westford Recycling and Trash Statistics


In the FY 2018, Westford trash data show overall increase of 202.8 tons of trash, hence we had 2.8% more trash removal than the previous year and trash tipping fees were increased accordingly.  Recycling data show decrease of 93.4 tons of recycling, hence we recycled 3.4% less than the prior year. In Westford, the 10-year trend of trash tonnage data show an overall reduction in trash generation by residents whereas the 13-year trend in recycling tonnage data shows an overall positive trend with an increase of recycling, barring the exception of the last 3 years, we’ve seen a decline in recycling activity. 

The town budgeted $509K for the cost of collecting curbside recyclables this current fiscal year as compared to the $1.220 million budgeted for curbside collection of solid waste (trash).  During the October Special Town Meeting, voters approved an additional $80K to cover the cost of tipping fees that jumped from $45K to $125K this fiscal year. A tipping fee is the amount charged for disposal based on weight.

 For additional information view the Trends in Westford Recycling Efforts (PDF).


2019 Electronics & More Event Statistics!


The Westford Recycling Commission holds two events each year for residents to recycle electronics materials and more.  These opportunities continue to be highly successful in eliminating recyclable materials from our waste stream and your support has been fantastic!   Statistics from our May 2019 event yield the following data:  23,799 of Light Iron, 43,952 lbs of Electronics (Including:  TV’s, Monitors, Vacuums, Printers, Car Seats, Batteries, Toner and Speakers) and 15,507 lbs of Mixed Metals.  This is a total of 83,258 lbs!   

Our next event is in the spring of next year - May 2, 2020 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Town of Westford Highway Garage 28 North Street!  See our video below... Thank you to all residents for reducing, reusing, and recycling!

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 Policy & Useful Tips


Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
         View Agendas
         View Most Recent Agenda
         View all meeting minutes

Westford Recycling Videos

Summer Recycling Tips

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ABCs of Recycling

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Upcycle It! Video

Video

Electronics Recycling

Video

WA Composting

Video