WM will be collecting bulk items curbside; however, there will be a fee. Contact WM for fees and to schedule a pick up day at  how to dispose of bulky or large items or by calling 1-800-972-4545.

TVs, Computers, other Electronic Waste

• Televisions and computer monitors are required to be recycled
  • Drop off by appointment - $20 each
  • Curbside collection- Contact WM for fee schedule and details at wm.com or by calling 1-800-972-4545.
• Other electronics are optional (but encouraged!) to recycle, such as printers, laptops ($5), computer hard drives, cords, phones, batteries (alkaline go in the trash), lamps, stereo equipment- all free to drop off by appointment
• We care about your data protection. We use a certified e-waste recycler, Complete Recycling Solutions.

Appliances

• All appliances are $32 for curbside collection. Contact WM to pay and schedule a pick up day at wm.com or by calling 1-800-972-4545.
• • refrigerators, water bubblers, wine fridges
  • air conditioners and dehumidifiers
  • clothes washers and dryers
  • Water heaters and oil-filled space heaters
  • kitchen appliances: dishwashers, ranges, ovens
  • microwaves
  • smaller items such as toasters can be brought to the Reuse & Recycling Center

Mattresses and Box Springs

• Banned from the trash starting Nov. 1, 2022. These will no longer be collected curbside for free as trash
• Mattresses will be recycled, here are some options
  • Drop off in Arlington, $45 per unit (check or cash only), make an appointment here or call 781-316-3108
  • Curbside collection by ToughStuffRecycling.com, $45 per unit, credit card online payment, pickup a free plastic bag after you have an appointment - at DPW, 51 Grove St. during business hours, 8 AM- 4 PM weekdays. 
  • When you buy a new mattress, have the old one collected by the store
  • Sell or give away a mattress in good shape via online platforms
  • Donate a mattress (not stained, in good shape) to Household Goods in Acton, MA

Furniture and Wood Items

Furniture made from multiple materials, upholstered furniture, or metal furniture you do not want to drop off as scrap metal all will require a fee and collection at the curb.

Large amounts of wood (such as a children's playset) will be considered Construction and Demolition Material and will require private arrangements and/or a dumpster rental. WM will not collect Construction and Demolition Debris at the curb, even for a fee.

• Please consider donation of furniture if it is in great condition.
  Household Goods in Acton is a great option
  Restoration Project in Belmont
• Wood items that are not furniture (such as pallets or milled wood) or are not useful (such as broken wood furniture) are considered trash. Small pieces may fit inside your cart (make sure the lid closes fully) but larger pieces will require a fee through WM (wm.com or 800-972-4545). Please see above for large amounts of wood.

 95% of all clothes/shoes/sheets/towels, or "Textiles," are reusable and/or recyclable, and now it's the state law to keep them out of the trash.

• Drop off bins located throughout town collect textiles 24/7.  [Map Here]
• You can continue to support the nonprofit/charity of your choice: Veterans, Epilepsy Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, St. Vincent de Paul, Planet Aid...
• Curbside collection is easy with Helpsy.co (yes .co, not .com) To sign up and learn about the program, visit helpsy.co/arlingtonma or call 1-800-244-6350.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, textile waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the United States, occupying nearly 5% of all landfill space. Recycling clothing and textiles through Helpsy gives them the longest life possible. 

Arlington is pleased to be partnering with Helpsy to help divert more textiles from the trash. Helpsy is a Certified B Corp on a mission to radically change the way we think about, dispose of, recycle, and buy second-hand clothing.

Food scraps make up to 25% of the weight of our trash.

Have you considered separating your food scraps from your trash?

We have three ways in Town of managing this heavy, organic material:

1. Back yard composting
2. Food scrap drop off (Free!)
3. Food scrap subscription services that collect your food scraps on your regular trash and recycling day.

Read More and 

Get Involved in Reducing Arlington's Trash Weight!

• Check out the Zero Waste Arlington Committee - all are welcome to attend a meeting and volunteer with us
• For harder-to-recycle materials check out our Reuse & Recycling Center
• Plastics Recycling Podcast from MassRecycle, Big Oil and Plastics Recycling: The Rest of the Story
• Plastics can be very confusing, this NPR project provides a simple explanation from a national perspective
• Beyond the Bin is a great tool from MA Department of Environmental Protection
• Videos here on ACMi.tv about the Reuse & Recycling Center, common recycling mistakes, and visiting the recycling sorting facility
• Dates on food, what do they mean? FoodLink provides consumer advice

During the DPW renovation (2021-2023) most recycling activities have moved away from 51 Grove Street and are run by appointment-only out of our 33 Ryder Street location. Please see the Reuse & Recycling Center web page to make an appointment, or call the recycling/waste diversion contact number: 781-316-3108.

DPW Administration remains at 51 Grove Street and is open 8 AM to 4 PM weekdays, except Holidays.

Feed FiDO continues strong at 51 Grove Street during construction!

FixIt Clinics are offered spring and fall in Arlington, and year-round in the Boston area and even globally online!

More about FixIt Clinics everywhere

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