MELROSE — The City of Melrose will begin rolling out new recycling and trash carts to residents at their home addresses in early June before officially launching its new “single-stream” automated curbside collection program with hauler Casella Waste Management on July 1, 2024. The new 64-gallon carts have been partly funded by a grant from The Recycling Partnership, an NGO advancing the circular economy by building a better recycling system in the United States.
The carts are expected to arrive at residents’ homes between June 3 and June 14. Residents do not need to be home at the time of delivery. The carts, which come with wheels for easy maneuvering and attached lids to keep recyclables dry and secure, must be used in place of the trash and recycling receptacles that residents are currently using for curbside collection.
The City of Melrose was selected to receive The Recycling Partnership grant support because of its dedication to advancing recycling in the community. The grant from The Recycling Partnership, with support from GlobalGiving, made in partnership with L’Oréal, will be used towards the purchase of the City’s 9,000 new carts and also includes funding for education and outreach about the new collection process, with a focus on recycling best-practices.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to The Recycling Partnership for their generous grant, which has significantly offset the cost of procuring these new carts for our residents,” said Mayor Jen Grigoraitis.
A noteworthy feature of the new program is the single-stream recycling system that allows residents to place all recyclable items directly into their new recycling container without sorting them. This system also has the potential to provide the City with savings through avoided disposal costs, but residents will need to do their part by placing only recyclable materials in their new recycling carts. Visit www.CityofMelrose.org/solid-waste-recycling for more information on what is acceptable in the recycling stream.
“Every resident participating in our curbside collection program will play a crucial role in maximizing Melrose’s cost savings, achieved through placing only recyclable materials in your new recycling carts,” said Mayor Grigoraitis. “To support our success, you will receive education about the program and instructions on how and when to use the carts, courtesy again of The Recycling Partnership.”
The City asks that residents continue to do their part by placing only recyclable materials in their carts, including glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, food and beverage cartons, paper products (including newspapers and flattened cardboard), and empty plastic bottles and containers. To help limit contamination, keep recycling loose and give food and drink containers a quick rinse and then place them directly into the recycling cart—no sorting or bagging needed.
Some items that cannot be recycled include plastic bags, paper towels, electrical equipment, batteries, and clothing. These items often get mixed into recycling carts because of “wishcycling,” or the hope that they can be recycled. While well-intentioned, non-recyclable items cause serious issues. For more information on what can and can’t go into the cart, visit www.CityofMelrose.org/solid-waste-recycling.
Residents can begin using their new City-provided carts beginning on July 1. The current recycling and trash routes and schedule will not be changing at this time. Residents should place their new carts on the curb as instructed on their regular recycling day. The City will purchase and provide replacement parts and repairs at no additional cost to residents.
For more information, plus answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.cityofmelrose.org/solid-waste-and-recycling or contact the Department of Public Works at 781-665-0142 or recycle@cityofmelrose.org.
