TOTES:

Each eligible household (1 to 4 units) is given two 64 gallon capacity wheeled containers (“Totes”). The Green Tote is for Trash only and the Blue Tote is for Single Stream Recycling Only. The Totes are the property of the city and must remain at that specific address when ownership or occupancy of the dwelling is changed. Each tote has a serial number that will be matched to the property. Each unit of a single or multi-family dwelling will receive a set of totes.  Property owners are responsible for replacing any totes that have been taken from the residence.

Smaller Totes Available:

Seniors or people with physical challenges will be considered for a smaller 32 gallon Tote. If you think you need a smaller set of totes, please contact the Health Department at 978-534-7550 X 248 to discuss your situation.

Report any accidental damage to your totes to the Health Department.

RECYCLING - Will be picked up on a weekly basis throughout the city on the same day of your rubbish collection.

How To Prepare Recyclables for Pickup

• Leominster curbside recycling is now single stream (fully commingled) which means that all recycling can now be placed in the same container!

• Rinse all containers of residual food.

• Most small plastic and metal food or drink containers can be stomped flat on the ground prior to placing them into the tote to save volume.

• Do not place rubbish or anything else that is not recyclable into the blue recycling tote. Improperly loaded recycling totes will not be picked up and a colored sticker will be applied explaining the issue. The contractor will not return until the following week.

What can I put in the Green Tote? Rubbish!

All rubbish, trash, or refuse must be placed in tied plastic bags before putting them into the Green Tote. These can be any kind of plastic bag; they do not need to be “official over flow bags”. Loose rubbish in the Tote will create more litter on the street which the homeowner or landlord is responsible for picking up. Do not over fill the tote. If the bags do not slide out when tipped into the truck, the contractor will not stop to manually pull the contents out. The tote will not be emptied and a “sticker” will be placed on the tote that explains why it was not emptied. It will then be the responsibility of the homeowner for disposal. The top flap on the totes must be closed, do not leave them open and pile up bags of rubbish or recycling. If this is done the tote will not be emptied and yet another colored sticker will be placed on it. It will then be the responsibility of the homeowner for disposal.

TRASH-HOUSEHOLD WASTE - Each household will be limited to a 64 gallon volume of household waste (trash, garbage, refuse) per week. Household waste is what is normally generated by families during every day life. Waste shall be placed into tied plastic bags and then put into the tote.
If residents need additional volume they can dispose of 1 bag per week for free at the AKS Transfer Station or official “overflow bags” will be available for $1.25 each. Nothing else will be picked up other than what is contained in the tote and official “overflow” bags.

Trash-Household Waste

Acceptable Rubbish (allowed): Rubbish, including but not limited to, or all organic waste matter (animal, fish, fowl, fruit and vegetable) produced from the preparation of food for human consumption, waste paper,), pizza boxes, soiled paper plates, wax paper milk and juice containers, whole or broken earthen ware (china), clothing, shoes, boots, rubber, glassware, plastics, toys, and small tools.

Not Acceptable Rubbish (not allowed): Demolition debris, construction debris, furniture, mattresses, box springs, couches, wooden furniture, chairs, rugs, explosives, metal objects, televisions, computer monitors, large appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, trash compactors, de-humidifiers, biological waste, toilets, shower stalls, sinks, chemicals, radioactive materials, oil, oil sludge, highly flammable substances, cardboard, septage or human waste, human or animal remains, motor vehicles, large auto or motorcycle parts, by-product waste of rubber, leather or plastics, yard machinery (lawn mowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers) liquid wastes, wood (excluding furniture), construction and demolition materials, fluorescent light bulbs, cardboard, liquid paint, caustic materials or liquids, paint thinner or remover, pesticides, asphalt, brick, concrete, soil or stone will not be picked up curbside. Please refer to the City Household Hazardous Waste Collection days for disposal of some of these waste ban items.

When do I need an Over-flow bag?

Over-flow Bags are needed if  - you have more than what will fit into your tote in any week. Each household will be limited to a 64 gallon volume of household rubbish per week. The bags can be placed at the curb along with your tote for collection. Any other bag left at the curb will not be collected. Also residents can take one 32 gallon size bag per week to the AKS Transfer Station without cost.

Where can I buy Over-flow Bags?
Please call the suppliers listed before driving there to make sure they are not out of stock!

CHRISTMAS TREES - Will still be picked up at the curb for the month of January. They cannot be placed into the tote. They should be left next to the Tote at the curb for collection. Artificial trees can be taken to the Transfer Station as a “one free item” per week.
 

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The following items are considered to be Bulk Items:

• Upholstered furniture: a couch, loveseat, ottoman, chair

• Wooden furniture: table and chairs, dressers, chest, book shelves (do not break down)

• Bedding: mattresses, box springs, wooden bed frames and headboards

• Rolled carpeting: must be less than 5’ long and weigh less than 50 lbs

• This does not include metal or plastic furniture, pieces of wood or other construction and demolition materials.

• A table with chairs is considered to be one item, a mattress and box spring is considered to be one item, a couch, an overstuffed chair, a dresser, are all considered to be one item.

What can I do with things that are too big for the Tote but are not considered to be a Bulk Item?

One Item such as a child’s car seat, an old cooler, a lamp, luggage etc. which weigh no more than 25 lbs. can be taken to the Transfer Station per week for no charge. This would be in lieu of the 1 free bag of MSW residents are allowed to bring to the transfer station per week under the current program.


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     • Microwave oven: $8.50
     • Refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioners, de-humidifiers or any item
       containing Freon (The doors of these items must be removed prior
       to disposal for safety reasons). $8.00
     • Stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, trash compactors, and hot
       water heaters: Free
     • Lawn mowers, snow blowers, car batteries: $16.50
     • Television sets and computer monitors $9.00
     • Console TV: $16.50 per unit
     • Car tires $6.50 with rims $9.00
     • Mattresses or box springs $21.50 each.
     • Propane Tanks $16.00 at AKS, No Charge at Fiore Recycling.
     • Oil tanks are not accepted at either facility.

AKS will provide prices for other items not specifically listed above by calling 1-800-720-3034

Residents should be aware that there are other options for the disposal of some of these items. Please refer to the following sections of this Web Site for disposal options that may be available to residents.


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     • Microwave oven: $8.50
     • Refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioners, de-humidifiers or any item
       containing Freon (The doors of these items must be removed prior
       to disposal for safety reasons). $8.00
     • Stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, trash compactors, and hot
       water heaters: Free
     • Lawn mowers, snow blowers, car batteries: $16.50
     • Television sets and computer monitors $9.00
     • Console TV: $16.50 per unit
     • Car tires $6.50 with rims $9.00
     • Mattresses or box springs $21.50 each.
     • Propane Tanks $16.00 at AKS, No Charge at Fiore Recycling.
     • Oil tanks are not accepted at either facility.
 
AKS will provide prices for other items not specifically listed above by calling 1-800-965-9425

Fiore will take some metal items for no cost. Please call them at 978-353-3193 or 978-265-1536 for information.

The Winthrop Steel Company in Fitchburg, MA will take some metal products for no cost.
Please call them at 978-343-3627 to ask about their hours and policies.
 

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The following items and materials may be brought to the collection:

Antifreeze Art supplies Auto fluids Button Batteries Creosote Chemistry sets DDT Disinfectants Drain cleaners Engine Degreaser Flea killers

Fluorescent light bulbs Furniture polishes Gasoline products Insect sprays Kerosene Lead acid batteries Metal polishes Mothballs Muriatic acid Nickel-cadmium batteries Paint (oil, marine, lead)

Paint thinner/solvents Pesticides Photographic supplies Pool chemicals Rodent killers Root killers Septic tank cleaners Spot removers/solvents Stain & preservatives Thermostats Toilet cleaners Varnish

Note: latex paint will not be accepted as hazardous waste. Leave cans open until they solidify and dispose of them in your normal rubbish. The paint must be dried and solid prior to disposal.

HHW questions can be answered by calling 1-800-965-9425


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Cell phones (and their batteries):

• All types of cell phones are accepted regardless of size, make, model or age.

Batteries*: 

• Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd )

• Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)

• Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)

• Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)

• Small Sealed Lead (SSLA/Pb)

*weighing less than 11 lbs each

Drop off locations:

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