NEW Trash Ordinance goes into effect March 1, 2022 FAQs
The City of Melrose New Trash Barrel Ordinance goes into effect on March 1, 2022. This change means all of your trash must be placed in a barrel with a lid, not just left out in a bag.
[ City of Melrose offers residents an affordable way to purchase lidded trash barrels: City of Melrose Purchasing Option ]
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: When does the new trash barrel ordinance take effect?
A: The City Council set the enforcement date of March 1, 2022 for these new regulations.
Q: How do I sign up for curbside organics pickup?
A: There are several curbside organics pickup vendors who service Melrose by private subscription. Please see https://www.cityofmelrose.org/trash-recycling/pages/composting-information for more information.
Q: Why doesn’t Melrose have automated trash pickup?
A: Melrose is currently under contract with JRM Hauling and Recycling with very competitive pricing. At this time, automated pickup is not part of our contract. Our contract ends in June 2024.
Q: How can I prevent my trash barrel from blowing down the street after being emptied on windy days?
A: Square barrels tend to stay put in the wind, even if they blow over. Round barrels are more likely to roll. Consider using a square barrel.
Q: What are the size restrictions on recycling containers?
A: Recycling containers should be 45 gallons or less and 45 pounds or less to prevent recycling worker injury.
Q: Are lids required on recycling containers?
A: Lids are not required on recycling containers, but every effort should be made to prevent the contents of your recycling container from blowing around in the wind or the paper and/or cardboard from getting wet in the rain.
Q: My trash barrel and lid were damaged when the trash hauler mistreated/misplaced them. What should I do?
A: Please submit a complaint with details of what happened, including pictures or video, and a request for reimbursement to JRM, in one of the following ways:
chat messaging service on their website: https://www.jrmhauling.com/
contact form: https://www.jrmhauling.com/contact/
phone: 800-323-HAUL
Q: I have a barrel with no lid, should I just throw it away?
A: 1) Try to buy/find a replacement lid
2) If not, you may use your old barrel for recycling or yard waste if it is properly labeled. We have stickers for this purpose at the office at the City Yard (72 Tremont Street), available for free, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 3:30 pm.
3) If you don’t need to use one of your old barrels for recycling or yard waste, ask around your neighborhood to see if anyone would like it, or post on a free site for giveaway. Maybe a local landscaping or construction contractor would be interested?
4) If not, another option to consider is that the City is in the planning stages of organizing a barrel swap and recycling event (Saturday, April 23, 8:00 am – Noon), to reduce the amount of waste during the ordinance implementation process. This event would be a chance to return barrels in usable condition for others to take for yard waste or recycling, or recycle rigid plastic and metal barrels that are no longer usable.
Q: Are we allowed to put dry, non-food waste out in a bag?
A: No, trash must be contained within barrels that are covered with lids.
Q: Are we allowed to put our trash out in a bag if we put it out the morning of pickup, but not the night before?
A: No, trash must be contained within barrels that are covered with lids.
Q: I leave the lid open on my trash barrel to make it easier for the haulers to get the bags out. Am I not allowed to do this anymore?
A: No, trash must be contained within barrels that are covered with lids.
Q: My trash normally fits in one barrel, but occasionally I have some extra. Do I have to buy a second barrel to use only a few weeks of the year?
A: You may buy an extra barrel, or you may save your dry, non-food trash for the following week when you have more space. We recommend that you plan accordingly.
Q: Do I need to purchase a new recycling container with a lid?
A: Recycling containers are not a part of this new ordinance, so you may continue to use the same container, as long as it does not exceed the size limit for manual disposal at the curb. If your recycling container does not have a lid, please cover it in wet or windy weather to prevent recyclables from getting wet or becoming litter in your neighborhood.
For questions, please email recycle@cityofmelrose.org or call the DPW at (781) 665-0142.
