Community Corner
Worcester's Clean-Recyclables Deadline Is Here
Starting Oct. 1, recyclables that don't meet certain standards will be left at the curb.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester on Saturday will start cracking down on residents who contaminate recycling bins with unacceptable materials.
After Oct. 1, the city's waste collector, Casella, won't empty recycling bins that contain improper items.
One item in particular has been clogging up the city's recycling efforts: plastic bags because they aren't recyclable and can jam machines used to sort recyclables.
“The most important thing for residents to understand is that plastic bags cannot be recycled,” Department of Public Works and Parks Commissioner Jay Fink said in a bulletin this week. “Do not put recycling items in a plastic bag. Just put all the eligible items right into the green bin and Casella will take care of the rest.”
The city also reminded residents that each city recycling bin — the new green ones with the vented tops that were distributed over the last several months — have instructions about what can and cannot be recycled.
Items you SHOULD NOT put in the recycler include:
- PLASTIC BAGS!!!
- Wax-coated paper
- Plastic utensils
- Paper towels
- Styrofoam containers
- Clothing
- Scrap metal
- Electrical wires or chains
- Batteries
- Aerosol cans
- PLASTIC BAGS!!!
- Ceramics
- Medical waste
- Wood
- Yard waste
- Tires
If you do need to get rid of those non-recyclable items, head to the Millbury Street residential drop-off site. Find details on fees and hours here.
