Town Of Wakefield Releases Info On Leaf Collection, Rain Barrel Purchases, More

Press release from the Town of Wakefield:

WAKEFIELD, MA — Gear up for spring and take advantage of these Public Works events.

Leaves and Yard Waste

The Nahant Street yard-waste site has reopened for the season. It is available for the disposal of leaves, grass, shrubs, and brush. A permit is required to obtain access and is available to Wakefield residents only. Permits can be obtained at the DPW office at Town Hall during regular business hours or purchased online. View the site’s schedule.

Curbside leaf collection will take place on May 17. Yard waste must be curbside prior to 7 a.m. in biodegradable paper bags or barrels. Plastic bags cannot be collected. Please cut branches into 3’ lengths or less and tie in bundles no more than 18” in diameter.

Cardboard and Metal Recycling

The Nahant Street Yard Waste site will once again feature dedicated corrugated cardboard and metal recycling containers. This free service is available during operating hours and no permit is needed to participate. Learn more about the cardboard and metal program.

Mercury Collection

Mercury collection is available to Wakefield residents and businesses at the Nahant Street Site during scheduled days of the season. No permit is required for mercury collection. In 2025, collection will take place on April 23, June 11, August 20, and November 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Reading and Wakefield co-host hazardous waste days for residents of our communities. The spring event will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Reading Public Works facility, 75 New Crossing Rd. Learn about the types of materials collected.

Rain Barrel Purchases

The annual rain barrel program is one of our most popular initiatives of the year. From now until May 11, residents can purchase a Great American Rain Barrel (GARB) for a discounted price of $69 plus tax; use discount code WAK25 to receive the discounted price. These barrels are produced in Massachusetts, are BPA free, and are 100 percent repurposed. According to GARB, it takes less than 1/8 inch of rain to fill a well-situated 60-gallon barrel.

Barrels can be ordered online and will be available for pick up on Thursday, May 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wakefield Public Works Facility at 35 North Avenue. Deadline for purchase is May 11, 2025.

GARB has been repurposing shipping drums into rain barrels since 1988. The Great American Rain Barrel Co. has been an approved vendor by the MASS DEP since 2010.

At-Home Compost Machine Purchases

Wakefield’s Public Works Department is also offering residents rodent-resistant at-home composting devices from Earth Machine for $55. The Earth Machine has an 80-gallon capacity. It is BPA free, features a twist-locking lid, and harvest door for easy compost removal.

Purchases can be made at the Public Works office in Town Hall until May 11, 2025. Like the rain barrels, the compost units must be picked up on Thursday, May 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Public Works Facility at 35 North Avenue.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wakefield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.