Published in the August 20, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — In the next few weeks you’ll notice some subtle changes in the town’s trash collection program.
First, there will be a new contractor. JRM Hauling and Recycling of Peabody takes over for Somerville’s Russell Disposal, Inc., which has had the contract to collect refuse in town for several years. Russell is said to be getting out of the trash collection business.
Residents will still be using their blue trash barrels like they have since the town went to automated trash collection in the fall of 2014. JRM’s trucks, however, have arms in the rear rather than on the side.
According to DPW officials, there will also be a second person dedicated to the trash collection truck so a bulk item can be disposed of on the day of trash pickup rather than on Friday.
More details about the changes in refuse collection will be coming in the next few weeks.
The town went to automated trash pickup on the last week of September 2014.
Collection guidelines won’t change. For instance, residents should not overfill their trash barrel and lids must be closed.
Only ordinary household rubbish should go into the barrel. Recycling, hazardous waste, construction debris and yard waste should not be put in the automated container. Containers with inappropriate materials may not be collected.
Household trash not placed in an automated container or in an orange town overflow bag will not be picked up.
The carts themselves belong to the town and are assigned to a specific address by serial number.
