Cambridge Recycling – January Update
Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!
In this issue:
- Recycle Phonebooks!
- Use a 32gal Trash Can for Recycling Containers
- March 8: Worm Composting Workshop
- April 24: Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Recycle Phonebooks!
Delivery of 2010 phone books has begun! Recycle old and any unneeded new ones. Just remove the plastic wrap or bag. Place phonebooks with mixed paper on collection day. Place paper in a paper, a separate bin or in a paper “toter” on wheels.
If every Cambridge household recycles an old phone book or a new one that is not needed, we could keep about 225,000 pounds of paper out of the trash. That’s almost 2000 trees! We are aware of two website to visit to stop receiving yellow page directories: Yellow Pages Association and Yellow Pages Goes Green. To learn more about efforts to curb phone book waste, visit the Product Stewardship Institute.
Convert a 32gal Trash Can for Recycling Containers
Did you know that Cambridge residents may convert any 32-gallon trash can into a recycling bin for glass, metal and plastic containers? Similar to the yard waste program, we can provide a recycling sticker for your barrel. Just face the stickers to the street when using it for recycling. Call 617.349.4800 to order stickers.
Worm Composting Workshop
When: March 8 at 6pm
Where: Harvest Coop, 531 Mass Ave (Central Square)
Are you an apartment dweller wishing for some backyard space to compost? Don't worry, you can compost indoors and start any time of the year! In this workshop, you will learn how to use worms to turn your garbage into "black" gold from Cambridge's Recycling Director, Randi Mail. For the past several years, Randi has composted food scraps in two 10-gallon plastic containers, making nourishing soil and compost tea for her houseplants.
April 24 Next Household Hazardous Waste Collection
2010 dates for HHW collections are: April 24, June 19 and October TBD. All are a Saturday, from 9am-1pm at 450 Concord Ave. Cambridge residents only.
Never pour hazardous products down catch basins, drains or place in the trash. Hazardous waste must be brought a collection event, proof of residency required. Materials accepted include:
- Batteries (Vehicle & Non-alkaline)**
- Chemicals
- Car Tires (Limit of 4)
- Fluorescent Bulbs (Accepted at local hardware stores.)
- Fuels, Motor Oil & Antifreeze
- Mercury Items (Thermometers & Thermostats)
- Paints (Oil & Latex. Dried out latex paint is OK for trash pickup, lids off.)
- Propane Tanks (20lbs or less.)
The Recycling Center accepts these hazardous items: fluorescent bulbs, non-alkaline batteries, motor oil and mercury items. We are located near Inman Square at 147 Hampshire St in the rear of the Public Works yard. Open hours: Tues/Thurs 4pm-7:30pm & Sat 9am-4pm. Proof of residency required upon request.
If you cannot make an upcoming collection or are moving before then, we suggest:
- Ask a neighbor to bring your items to the collection
- Clean Harbors at 1 Hill Ave in Braintree, (781) 380-7100.
For $2.50 per pound, they accept HHW from residents on Saturdays from May 1 - October 31 from 8am-12 noon. No fire extinguishers or propane tanks. - Minuteman Hazardous Waste Facility at 60 Hartwell Avenue in Lexington, website
2010 collection days have not yet been posted. 2009 fees were: $35 for 12 gal or less, $60 for 12-25 gal and $60+ for more than 25 gal.
** Alkaline batteries made in the USA after 1994 do not contain mercury and are safe to dispose with trash. Duracell and Energizer stopped using mercury in 1984. Batteries with a green tree logo or the words “no added mercury” or “zero mercury added” are also safe to dispose with the trash.
Ms. Randi Mail
Director of Recycling
Cambridge Dept of Public Works
147 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/recycle
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Last week for Cambridge leaf collection Dec. 14-18
The last week for separate curbside collection of leaves and yard waste by the city will be Dec. 14-18. Separate yard waste collection will resume April 5, 2010.
Yard waste in plastic bags is not accepted during yard waste season April-December. Recycle leaves, grass and small twigs and branches (no more than 1 inch in diameter or 3 feet in length). Place in paper yard waste bags, not stapled or taped, OR barrels with City “Yard Waste ONLY” stickers, facing the street. Bundle thick tree limbs 3 feet by 3 feet. Place at the curb by 7am on your collection day or after 6pm the night before.
If your recycling or yard waste was missed and is properly prepared, call 617-349-4800 by noon the next day. For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/TheWorks/departments/recycle/yardwaste.html#.
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Cambridge to pick up pumpkins as yard waste
Pumpkins are accepted with yard waste for curbside collection. All yard waste must be placed in paper yard waste bags, not stapled or taped OR loose in barrels with red city “Yard Waste ONLY” stickers, facing the street.
The last week for separate yard waste collection is the week of Dec. 14-18, 2009 and will resume the week of April 5-9, 2010. Recycle leaves, grass and small twigs and branches (no more than 1 inch in diameter or 3 feet in length). Bundle thick tree limbs 3-feet-by-3-feet. Place bags and barrels at the curb by 7am on your collection day or after 6om the night before. Call DPW 617-349-4800 for stickers. Visit www.cambridgema.gov/recycle for more information.
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Cambridge Recycling – September Update
In this issue:
- Finished Compost Available
- New Recycling Brochure in Your Mailbox
- Oct 3rd: Next Household Hazardous Waste Day
Finished Compost Available
Free compost is available to Cambridge residents in small quantities at the Recycling Center through October or while supplies last. The Center is located at 147 Hampshire, near Inman Square, in the back of the Public Works yard. Open hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 4pm-7:30pm and Saturdays from 9pm-4pm.
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Cambridge Recycling Update
Donate Furniture, Clothing and More
Check out www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/departments/recycle/donaterecycle.html. This is an A-Z list of materials with information on where to donate unwanted items as electronics, furniture, building materials and much more! It's a great resource to reduce your trash and control disposal costs.
Cardboard Boxes
Did you know:
- that making cardboard from recycled material takes 75% less energy than making it from trees?
- Since 1994, cardboard and paper have been banned from disposal in Massachusetts?
To recycle cardboard in Cambridge, you have 3 options:
- Flatten, cut to 3ft x 3ft, and secure under or between bins
- Flatten, fold, and place in a paper bag or recycling toter on wheels, OR
- Bring cardboard boxes to the Recycling Center during open hours.
Recycle More
Last fiscal year (Ju08-Jun09) Cambridge households recycled about 520 lbs and trashed about 1450 lbs. Overall, we recycled about 1/3 of our waste keeping nearly 13,000 tons from landfills and incinerators.
Please make a commitment to recycle more because at least half of your trash can be recycled! Also, keep an eye out in your mailbox for our recycling brochure toward the end of September!
Click on the materials below for recycling information.
Visit the Recycling Center
Did you know that the City has a Recycling Drop-off Center? We are located in the back right corner of the Public Works yard at 147 Hampshire Street. Open hours are Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4pm-7:30pm and Saturdays from 9am-4pm. We accept a range of materials including plastic bags, food waste, clothing, scrap metal, books, mercury items (fluorescent bulbs, thermometers), small electronics and more! Click here for more information.
Feel free to forward this update to your friends & family in Cambridge.
- Order a recycling bin (buildings with less than 6 units)
- Order a recycling toter (buildings with 6 units or more)
- Missed recycling? Please simply call DPW at 617-349-4800 by the 12 noon the day after collection, as email is not the best way to ensure action on time sensitive requests.
Ms. Randi Mail
Director of Recycling
Cambridge Dept of Public Works
147 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/recycle
The Recycling Division's mission is to encourage people to consume less, reuse and donate materials and recycle what cannot be eliminated or reused!
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