Westford Recycling Commission (WRC)

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Pickup Status:  

Westford collection of recycling and trash is on a NORMAL schedule this week.

Please Note: Holidays have changed this year for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Your Trash and Recycling are DELAYED on the following holiday weeks ONLY:   New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

WA Graduation Balloons - Please Recycle by June 25th: 

For those of you who received graduation balloons from the Westford Education Foundation fundraiser we would like to thank you for your support and offer you recycling and reuse opportunities.  We will be placing a RECYCLE box and a REUSE bin in the bottom lobby of the JV Fletcher Library.

RECYCLE: Simply place your deflated balloons in the marked box (strings can be attached)

REUSE:  Remove the string and gently insert a straw (reusable) into the hole where the balloon was inflated.  Push the straw in almost fully and press the air out of the balloon. Please flatten completely and place in the marked reuse bin (see directions).  

Both boxes will be available on Tuesday June 11th-June 25th.

Announcements:

Westford Recycling Guide for FY2019

  1. Recycling Guide for FY19 from July 2018 to June 2019

Upcoming Events:

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 of 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!

HazWaste 1HazWaste 2

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.

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

Trash


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

Recycling


Issues with recycling, please call: Republic Services (800) 442-9006: 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.

Recycling Vendor - Republic Services


Both residential and municipal recycling in Westford are picked up by Republic Services. 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 will be delayed by 1 day, the week of July 4 holiday and other holidays.
  • 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 IPR toters (owned by the Town) and other acceptable recycling bins and toters.
Should you encounter an issue, please call Republic Services at 1-800-442-9006 and if your question is not answered, please contact the Westford Town Hall.
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).


2018 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 2018 events yields the following data:  45,902 lbs of electronic devices, 25,000 lbs of mixed light metals and 12,356 lbs of TVs and monitors. This is a total of 83,258 lbs overall!  During our September event, 8,880 lbs of Light Iron, and 40,236 lbs of Electronics (Plus: 14 Car Seats, 47 Monitors, 133 TV’s, 10 lbs of Batteries, 30 Sets of speakers and 27 lbs of Ink/Toner) for a total of 49,116 lbs!

Our next event is May 4, 2019 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!


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

Video

ABCs of Recycling

Video

Upcycle It! Video

Video

Electronics Recycling

Video

WA Composting

Video