Town of Swampscott Curbside Trash Collection Guidelines
The following information was gathered from Swampscott Board of Health regulations, MassDEP waste ban guidelines, The State Sanitary Code, and the Town waste collection contract. For specific information contact our Office at Town Hall.
Residential Curbside Collection Information
- Rubbish is to be placed out at the curb no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before collection
- Rubbish is to be placed out at the curb no later than 7:00 AM the day of collection
- Rubbish is to be placed on the outer edge of the sidewalk
- No barrel, bag or other receptacle used, together with its contents of rubbish material, shall be of such design, size, shape or bulk that it cannot be handled by one man
- Barrels or bags shall not exceed 30 lbs. and shall be the responsibility of the owner/occupant until collected
- Lawn and garden wastes are not to be placed curbside unless it is during a municipally sponsored “leaf and grass collection week”, (see recycle calendar for the two spring dates and four fall collection dates)
- One (1) non-metal bulk item per week is acceptable. Bulk items include items such as couches, chairs, bureaus, mattresses, etc. (mattress & box spring count as 1 item)
- When trash is stored awaiting the collection day, it must be contained in covered barrels to prevent the attraction of vermin, wild animals and birds
- Each dwelling shall place out for collection no more than eight (8) bags of trash
- The Health Dept has the authority to assess fines for trash violations
- If your rubbish was not picked up during normal collection day contact the Health Dept within 24 hrs.
- Rugs must be cut to 3’x3’, rolled and tied. Each roll of rug will be considered to be equal to one bag of trash
- Plastics marked 1 thru 7 should be diverted to your recycling bin
- Old wood should be no longer than 3’ in length and must be tied into manageable bundles. Each bundle will be considered to equal to one bag of trash (no demolition waste)
- Latex paint (water based) if dried out completely may be placed with curbside trash
DEP Waste Bans
What is the purpose of the waste bans?
Waste bans are prohibitions on the disposal and transfer for disposal of certain toxic and/or recyclable items. Waste bans are intended to encourage reuse and/or recycling of certain waste materials, conserve disposal capacity, and reduce adverse environmental impacts from waste materials containing toxic substances.
Current Materials Prohibited from disposal by 310 CMR 19.017
Glass Containers: glass bottles and jars (soda-lime glass) but excluding light bulbs, Pyrex cookware, plate glass, drinking glasses, windows, windshields and ceramics.
Metal Containers: aluminum, steel or bi-metal beverage and food containers.
Single Polymer Plastics: all narrow-neck plastic containers.
Recyclable Paper: all paper, cardboard, and paperboard products excluding tissue paper, toweling, paper plates and cups, wax-coated cardboard, and other low-grade paper products, which become unusable to paper mills as a result of normal intended use.
Yard Waste: grass clippings, weeds, garden materials, shrub trimmings, and brush 1" or less in diameter (excluding diseased plants).
Leaves: deciduous and coniferous leaf deposition.
Batteries: lead-acid batteries used in motor vehicles or stationary applications. As well as, rechargeable batteries.
White Goods: appliances employing electricity, oil, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas to preserve or cook food; wash or dry clothing, cooking or kitchen utensils or related items. These typically include refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, gas or electric ovens and ranges, and hot water heaters.
Whole Tires: motor vehicle tires of all types. Whole tires may be disposed at combustion facilities. Shredded tires (a tire which has been cut, sliced or ground into four or more pieces such that the circular form of the tire has been eliminated) are not prohibited.
Cathode Ray Tubes: any intact, broken, or processed glass tube used to provide the visual display in televisions, computer monitors and certain scientific instruments such as oscilloscopes.
· Additional Restricted Materials as of July 1, 2006
The following construction and demolition debris materials are prohibited from disposal:
· Asphalt Pavement, Brick and Concrete: asphalt pavement, brick and concrete from construction activities and demolition of buildings and similar sources.
· Metal
• Treated and untreated wood, including wood waste. Wood may be disposed at combustion facilities
***Do not throw Mercury containing products in the trash, contact the Health Dept for drop-off information. (thermometers with a silver indicating color, thermostats, barometers, mercury switches, flow meters, button cell batteries, blood pressure units, elemental mercury, fluorescent bulbs)
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