Recycling In West Hartford: Do's And Don'ts

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local officials have issued a reminder about recycling procedures, especially those items not disposed of in West Hartford's signature blue barrels.

One problem, they said, is that people are still throwing away things that could be recycled.

"A lot of what we put in the trash isn’t really trash. Items like textiles, outdated books, metals, paints, and electronics (TVs!) can be recycled, just not in the blue barrel," wrote the town recently.

These items, officials said, are accepted at West Hartford’s Yard Waste and Recycling Center, 25 Brixton St.

Items accepted there are:

• Books - hardcover and softback books, textbooks, magazines ( especially aging encyclopedias).

• Brush no greater than 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length.

• Clean fill and concrete rubble with a 1/2 cubic yard maximum drop-off.

• Electronics: computers, monitors, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, copiers, microwaves, telephones, and anything with a plug and no Freon.

Items not accepted: smoke detectors, hazardous materials, humidifiers/dehumidifiers and air conditioners.

• Household recycling: plastic bottles, containers, tubs, and single-use cups; glass, cardboard, boxboard, paper, metal containers (cans, aluminum foil, foil containers, food grade aerosol containers).

• Leaves - delivered in bulk or 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags. No plastic bags accepted.

• Mattresses and box springs (must not be wet).

• Mercury thermostats only.

• Paint - must be in labeled containers.

• Scrap metal - items must be completely metal (hangers, bikes, pans).

• Textiles - must be in bags. Items include clothing, bed sheets, blankets, comforters, boots, coats, curtains, draperies, hats, jackets, purses, shoes, socks, stuffed animals, suits, sweaters, table linens, ties, and undergarments. Worn, torn, ripped, and stained items are acceptable. No rugs.

The Yard Waste and Recycling Center is for West Hartford residents with an annual permit.

Permits can be purchased online anytime, but they must be picked up in the West Hartford Department of Public Works front office, 17 Brixton St.

Permits can be purchased and/or picked up in person Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

The recycling center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ( (the last vehicle is accepted at 2:45 PM), Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon and is closed on major holidays.

Saturday hours are from the first Saturday in April to Dec. 14. It is closed on Saturdays from Dec. 28 through the end of March.

Broken furniture, carpets, and appliances are not accepted. For those issues, the town recommends folks call Paine’s, Inc. at 860-844-3000 to schedule a bulky waste pick-up. Construction debris: call CWPM at 860-747-1335. Drop it off in Berlin for a fee. For branches larger than 4 inches in diameter, contact: We Care Denali, 232 Colt Highway, Farmington, 860-674-8855; Green Earth Recycling, 61E Dudley Town Road, Bloomfield, 860-242-2325; and/or Supreme Forest, 49 Depaolo Drive, Southington, 860-485-1636.