You probably already know that recycling is now picked up every week. But did you know that recycling of cardboard is now required?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts no longer allows clean paper and cardboard (especially cardboard) to be disposed of as trash.
This is good news because the City of Salem earns money on all cardboard and paper that gets recycled. Last year Salem got $70,000 for the paper and cardboard that was recycled without it being required. Beverly, which was pushing it, got $250,000!
Think about it—this is an easy way to bring much needed money to the city. Plus it helps all of us because it means more money for schools and the services we want.
Here are the guidelines:
Paper (newspapers, mail, magazines, etc.) can be either put in paper bags or tied up in bundles. Do not put paper for recycling in a plastic bag—they might not pick it up.
Cardboard boxes must be flattened, and if you have large boxes, cut or fold them into pieces no bigger than 3 feet by 3 feet. All cardboard must be recycled—even flimsy things like cereal and tissue boxes.
(Some boxes, like aluminum foil or plastic wrap have metal parts—just
rip the metal off.)
As with paper, cardboard can be put into paper bags or tied into bundles for recycling. The clean parts of pizza boxes should be recycled. Rip off the greasy bottom and throw it in the trash.
This may sound like a nuisance, but it really isn’t. One idea is to keep a basket in your kitchen and throw all junk mail and miscellaneous paper into it, then put it out for recycling each week on your trash day. It’s very easy, and remember that we’re bringing money into the city!
Here are some of the other things you should know about our trash pickup:
Effective immediately, each household (that means each apartment, condo, single family house, etc.) is allowed to put out only three 35 gallon barrels or bags of trash each week.
Starting in January, the hauler will not pick up trash if it contains cardboard.
An extra yard waste pick up has been added. The upcoming dates for our yard waste pick up are on trash day the week of, November 3 and November 17.
There is lots of information about what can and can’t be recycled on the City of Salem website, www.salem.com/recycling, and you can call 978-619-5679 for more information.
Recycling bins are $6 at Crosby’s Marketplace (109 Canal Street), Winer Bros Hardware (86 Lafayette
Street), or at the DPW building (5 Jefferson Avenue). You can also use any bin or similar container for recycling.
Thanks for helping to make Salem “green!”
