If It Doesn't Fit in a Blue Bag, Where Can You Trash It?

Since the pay-as-you-throw program began in 2008, people have been recycling more and more in town, but there are still many calls to the each day asking what to do with trash that doesn't fit in the blue bags.

If it's more than 20 pounds and it doesn't fit in a blue bag, then residents must buy a $10 bulk item sticker for the trash. Here's some examples of bulk items:

• couch
• table
• ping pong table
• upholstered chair
• bed frame
• a mattress OR box spring (unless it's a twin size, then one sticker may used on the mattress and box spring).
• up to four rolls of carpet/padding
• bureau
• desk
• gas grill
• exercise equipment
• toilet bowls or tanks
• kitchen or bath sinks
• small counters
• doors

If the trash weighs less than 10 pounds, and does not fit in a small blue bag, residents can tie or tape the bag to the following items:

• beach chair
• beach umbrella
• bicycle
• wagon
• toys

"We get lots of calls each day on what people can and can't throw out," said Kerry Stockwell, administrative assistant at the Board of Health. "But if it doesn't go in the trash, we have options in and around town for residents to dispose of it."

So, what can be recycled? Glass, plastic, metal, aluminum and thin cardboard can be put in the town's blue or green recycling bins (depending on where you live in town, the town rotates each week which color bins are picked up). Corrugated cardboard can be brought to the municipal garage on South Street weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents can also flatten, fold and fit the corrugated cardboard into a paper bag or recycling bin or cut and tie cardboard into 2-foot by 2-foot by 2-foot bundles.

"No oil-based paint or hazardous materials can be put in recycle bins or trash bags," Stockwell said. "Mercury thermometers and thermostats can be turned in at the Board of Health."

What about appliances or electronics? Local businesses such as  will take computers for a $10. Best Buy also has an exchange program for televisions. And will also take televisions, computers and appliances from your home for a fee.

"If we hear of an electronics recycling program in town, we publicize it on our website," Stockwell said. "But we also have a list of other companies in the area that will take items like that."

Stockwell also said needles can be dropped off anytime at the Board of Health office, though they must be in a plastic container, such as an old laundry bottle with a cap.

"We have a box right out front that people can drop them off anytime the town hall is open," she said.

Some residents are also not sure where to buy the pay-as-you-throw bags, as they are not sold at the town hall.

"We only sell the colored recycling bins ($6.50 for the 18-gallon bins and $9 for the 22-gallon bins), but residents can write with a permanent marker "RECYCLE" on any container under 32 gallons and use it for recycling," she said.

Here are the places where you can buy blue trash bags:

• *
• *
• *
• *Rocky's Hardware (Northborough)
• * (Shrewsbury)
• *Stop & Shop (Route 9, Westborough)
• *
• Wegman's (Northborough)

Small blue bags should cost $3.50 and $7 per pack. Bulk items stickers should cost $10 and are sold at the locations above with an *.

Call the at 508-841-8512 if you have any questions.