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1. What is automated collection and why is it coming to Methuen?

Automated collection is the collection of trash and recycling by means of trash vehicles equipped with a forklift-type mechanism that can pick up trash containers with no assistance from a human collector. The benefit of the automated collection is that trash must be inside the trash container to be collected, which assists with implementing trash limits (see below). Automated collection is safer for workers, more efficient in facilitating the timely completion of collection routes, and more cost-effective.

2. Why are trash limits so important?

Reducing our solid waste disposal and increasing our recycling makes economic and environmental sense for all communities. In Massachusetts, solid waste disposal capacity is severely constrained, compelling communities to better manage waste collection by promoting materials reuse, recycling, and composting of food waste. Methuen ranks worst in the state among similarly-sized communities for the amounts of solid waste we dispose of per household, and near last in recycling. These trends are increasingly expensive for our city and terrible for our environment.

3. When will Methuen Switch to the new automated collection system?

On or about October 1, citizen education efforts have been completed and new carts have been distributed to all residential household units that are eligible for curbside collection.

4. Who will be getting the carts?

Every Methuen residential housing unit receiving curbside service (including those in multiple unit structures) will receive a 64-gallon trash cart and a 95-gallon cart for single-stream recyclables.

5. Do I have to put trash and recyclables in my new carts?

Yes… The hauler will only collect trash placed in the designated trash receptacle. Recyclables collection will continue to be every other week but instead of using open bins or stickered receptacles, recyclables should be placed in the new 95-gallon wheeled cart with a blue lid.

6. What if I have a large event at my house and generate more trash than can fit in the cart?

Overflow bags will be available, both to assist with the transition to automated trash pick-up and to address unusually high trash-producing events, such as parties and holidays. Each household will receive 2 bags upon the initial distribution of carts, and thereafter, bags will be available for sale at a cost of $10 for a package of 5 bags. Overflow bags are available at Methuen City Hall 41 Pleasant Street, Nevins Memorial Library 305 Broadway, Methuen Senior Activity Center 77 Lowell Street, Methuen Transfer Station 50 Huntington Avenue, and at the following locations throughout the city:

• Market Basket (186 Haverhill Street)
• Market Basket (70 Pleasant Valley St)
• Howe St Superette(163 Howe Street)
• Galloway's Convenience Store (176 Pelham Street)
• Caribbean Supermarket (4 Broadway)
• White Eagle Pantry (319 Merrimack Street)

Extra trash carts will be available to households at an annual fee of $100.

7. What if I’m senior citizen or someone who cannot maneuver the larger carts. Are smaller carts than the 64-gallon trash cart or the 95-gallon recycle carts available?

Yes. Contact Methuen DPW. After the initial distribution of carts this summer, the City will switch out large carts with 35-gallon carts if requested by residents.

8. What materials can be placed in the recycle cart?

All single-stream recyclables should go in your Recycle Cart - Plastic bottles, jugs and containers (rinsed and clean); Aluminum/steel/tin cans (rinsed and clean); Newspaper; Cardboard (flatten); Mixed office paper, junk mail etc.; Glass (rinsed and clean)

9. Won’t this cart system just generate even more illegal dumping?

Mayor Perry and his administration are making clean streets and a crackdown on dumping enforcement priorities. Every effort will be made to identify persons responsible for dumping and the City will rigorously enforce anti-dumping with fines and penalties. Monitoring cameras are being installed and persons seeing dumping occur are asked to report incidents to Methuen Police and DPW.

10. What if my cart is stolen or damaged?

Contact the City DPW or vendor EL. Harvey which is putting in place a system for monitoring the inventory of carts, maintaining carts, and replacing irreparable or lost/stolen carts.

11. What do I do with my large bulky items like old couches or furniture?

Starting with the initiation of automated collection, these items will no longer be collected in the regular trash. Residents should consider donations to reuse programs for these items. Alternatively, residents can contact the vendor EL. Harvey to schedule a curbside pickup within a week pursuant to their fee schedule, call DPW and arrange to pick up on a more extended timeline at a reduced fee, or those residents with a transfer station sticker can drop these items off at the Methuen Transfer Station on Huntington Avenue.

12. How do I dispose of my old mattress?

Starting this Fall, under MassDEP regulations, mattresses no longer will be allowed to be disposed of at incinerators or landfills. You can schedule a curbside pickup of mattresses for a fee with the City's vendor EL. Harvey will transport mattresses to a recycling processing center. Alternatively, you can bring old mattresses to retail outlets where you purchased bedding supplies.

13. What do I do with old clothing?

Effective this Fall, textiles are subject to the Massachusetts waste ban and cannot be disposed of in landfills or incinerators. Old clothes and shoes can be dropped off at donation boxes located at municipal locations including all schools, North End Fire Station, and the Methuen Transfer Station. Do not put textile materials in the Trash cart or the Single Stream Recycle Cart.

14. How can I find other options for disposition, donation or re-use?

The City of Methuen has created a Trash and Recycling website page with links to helpful sites providing tips for how and where to dispose of materials that are no longer useful to you. Sites such as Recyclopedia are included, and we will be adding links to local organizations that accept materials as donations or will accept them at reduced costs.

15. How many carts will a multi-family structure receive?

Two carts (one 64-gallon trash cart and one 95-gallon single-stream recycling cart) will be distributed to each unit within any residential structure that is eligible for curbside pick-up.

16. How will pick-up be accomplished on narrow streets?

E.L. Harvey has stressed its commitment to serving every customer on every street in Methuen. When necessary, they will commit whatever resources they must to ensuring pick-up from every residence, including, if necessary, providing additional personnel to pick up on those streets that cannot easily accommodate the automated truck.