Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any place where I can recycle my plastic bags?
What should I do if my recycling was not picked up?
Why would some of my recycling be left behind?
How do I get a new or additional bin for recycling?
How can I get rid of a computer or a television?
What do I do with alkaline batteries? Are they hazardous?
What can I do with latex paint?
Is there any place where I can recycle my plastic bags?
Plastic bags cannot be recycled at curbside because they get caught in the conveyor belt at Integrated Paper's material sorting facility. Many of the larger grocery store chains accept bags for recycling, such as Bread and Circus, Stop and Shop, Hannafords, Star Market, Shawąs, Roche Brothers. In addition to shopping bags, these stores accept other plastic bags, such as clean, dry produce bags, bread bags, sandwich bags, etc. Zoots will take back the plastic used to cover their dry cleaning.
Better than recycling bags, of course, is reusing bags or using reusable Cloth shopping bags. It is notoriously difficult, even for those with the best of intentions, to remember to bring reusable bags on a shopping trip.
Here are some tips to help you remember:
- Write on your shopping list "remember to bring bags".
- Hang cloth bags on your kitchen door.
- Use a cloth bag to hold deposit bottles and cans, that way you will have at least one cloth bag with you when you get to the store.
- Tape a reminder on your dashboard.
- Donąt get discouraged when you keep forgetting your bags. Keep trying.
What should I do if my recycling was not picked up?
Call Call Integrated Paper Recyclers, LLC at: 1-781-933-3013 Mon. - Fri. 8am - 3pm
Why would some of my recycling be left behind?
Some possible reasons:
- It was not a recyclable item
- It was cardboard that was not flattened and cut into 3 x 3 foot bundles. Larger cardboard will not physically fit in the recycling truck.
- Mixed paper was put in a plastic bag. We cannot accept paper in plastic bags. Plastic bags contaminate the paper so it cannot be recycled.
- Dirty or contaminated items. Jars full or peanut butter is one example of a non-recyclable items. Cans and bottles put out for recycling must be not be contaminated with food.
Call Integrated Paper Recyclers, LLC at:1-781-933-3013 if you have questions about an item left behind.
How do I get a new or additional bin for recycling?
New or additional bins can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office in the Town Hall at 55 Main St. Hours are 8am - 4pm, Mon - Fri. You can also use the 18 gallon plastic totes that are sold at many stores for about $4. Unlike the standard recycling bins, they have a cover and are stackable.
How can I get rid of a computer or a television?
The Recycling Commission conducts three Saturday (March, June and September) fee-based dropoffs per year. The dropoff site is usually at the Blanchard School. See our recycling webpage for more details.
What do I do with alkaline batteries? Are they hazardous?
Alkaline batteries are not considered as hazardous waste and can be placed in your regular trash. Nickel Cadmium rechargeable batteries are considered hazardous waste and can be recycled at any Radio Shack store. Save Lithium batteries for Westford's next hazardous waste collection.
What can I do with latex paint?
Latex paint is not considered hazardous waste and, after hardening, should be put in your trash. Paint hardener, good for about 3 gallons of paint, is available at minimal cost from Lynch Paint near the Main Westford Post Office on Littleton Road (Route 110). Kitty litter also works as an absorber hardener but is not quite as effective.