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1. How does the alternating recycling program work?

Recycling will be collected every week alternating PAPER/CARDBOARD on YELLOW weeks, and COMMINGLED on GRAY weeks (which includes Plastic/Glass/Cans). The recycling calendar can be found Here. 

2. Why aren’t plastic bags recyclable if they have the recycle symbol on them?

Plastic bags are not recyclable at the curbside because they get caught in the recycling equipment. If you choose to recycle plastic bags, you may bring them to your local grocery store. Otherwise, throw them in the trash.

3. Can I bag my recyclables in plastic bags?

No, plastic bags are not recyclable at the curbside. If you are trying to keep your recyclables from blowing away, you may cover it with a tarp or durable material as long as the bin is in view. Residents also have the option to buy their own bins with covers as long as the bins are no larger than 32 gallons and the bin is marked “RECYCLING”. The DPW will provide up to 2 free stickers or residents may write “RECYCLING” on their purchased bins.

4. Can I recycle shredded paper?

No. Shredded paper is not recyclable due to the fibers that are exposed once the paper is shredded. Shredded paper should be thrown in the trash, or can be brought to certain recycling events throughout the year hosted by WE-CAN (Worcester County Environmental Community Agricultural Network)

5. Can I use paper bags or boxes to hold my mixed paper and cardboard on yellow weeks?

Yes

6. Why are there so many changes for recycling?

 In 2018,the Chinese government announced that they would no longer be accepting imports of over 24 types of materials including mixed paper and several types of plastic. The recycling market plunged into distress. Due to the market changes, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in collaboration with waste haulers and processors across the state generated universal recycling standards to help these organizations meet the standards. For more information and market updates, visit Massachusetts Recycling Market.

7. Should I put the lid back on my recyclables?

 Yes. Rinse the container, and then put the lid back on the container.

8. How can I stay informed about this program as far as waste events and trash delays?

We encourage every resident to sign up for our ListServe Notices, and sign up under “Solid Waste & Recycling”, as well as any other ListServe notices you may want to be informed on. Additionally, we encourage you to follow us on our social media platforms Facebook & Twitter and sign up for CodeRed alerts.

9. How do I know what is recyclable and what goes in the trash?

The Recyclopedia is a great tool to learn which materials belong in your bin, where to recycle or donate other items, and what to throw away. This tool has been created by MassDEP in collaboration with haulers and Material Recovery Facilities across the Commonwealth.

10. Is there general Solid Waste & Recycling information for new residents?

Yes, the DPW Department has assembled a number of useful documents pertaining to the Town’s Solid Waste and Recycling Program which can be found here.

For future reference, the New Resident Solid Waste Welcome Packet may be accessed through the Town’s Solid Waste and Recycling webpage as in the image below.

11. Where can I find the most recent Trash & Recycling Calendar?

The current Waste Management Service Calendar may be found here

For your information, The Town of Shrewsbury provides curbside trash pickup (Pay As You Throw) and curbside recycling collected on a weekly basis - alternating recycling collection of Paper & Cardboard on YELLOW weeks and Plastic, Bottles & Cans on GREY weeks - for all households who participate in the Municipal Trash Collection Program through our contractor, Waste Management. Recycling reduces the amount of trash that must be brought to transfer stations and landfills and directly lowers the cost of trash collection for the town. Recycling is mandatory.

When your scheduled collection day falls on an observed holiday, that day’s collection and all subsequent collections that week will be delayed by one day. Friday’s route will be collected on Saturday. The holidays will be noted in Blue on the calendar.

12. I lost my Waste Management Service Mailer is it available on the web?

Yes, a PDF of the Fiscal Year 2023 Waste Management Service Calendar may be located in the Additional Resources section at the bottom of the Solid Waste and Recycling page.  The document may also be found here.