New trash rules start this week

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SOUTH HADLEY Residents will have new rules starting this week on what kind of trash can be left on the curb.

Jane Southworth, the solid waste coordinator for the town, explained that in the past some wood and metal items have been accepted by the curbside collection, however the town is observing the new state rules on trash.

Prohibited trash must be brought to the town's recycling center and some fees will apply.

She said that since 1990 more and more items have been banned from landfills and must be recycled. The fees charged by the town haven't changed in five years, she added.

The following are materials banned from disposal in trash and how they should be recycled:

Glass bottles and jars: curbside recycling or brought to recycling center, no fee;

metal food and beverage containers: curbside recycling or brought to recycling center, no fee;

all narrow neck plastic containers: curbside recycling or brought to recycling center, no fee;

recyclable paper and cardboard: curbside recycling or brought to recycling center, no fee;

leaves and yard waste: curbside recycling two times a year or brought to recycling center, no fee;

lead acid batteries: brought to recycling center, $1 fee;

appliances: brought to recycling center, $10 fee;

tires: brought to recycling center, $4 fee each if rimless and $9 if with rims;

mattresses: brought to recycling center, $10 fee, perhaps more based on size;

computers: brought to recycling center, $10 fee;

propane tanks: brought to recycling center, $10 fee;

lumber with no nails or paint: brought to recycling center, three cents a pound fee;

and dry wall: brought to recycling center, three cents a pound fee.

The recycling center will not accept asphalt, brick or concrete.

Southworth said that hazardous chemicals, including household pesticides, lawn chemicals and oil paints, for example, are collected during the town's hazardous waste collection day. Latex paints cans can be recycled with the removal of the leftover paint.

For more information, contact Southworth at 538-5033.