Understanding Harvey Trash Collection Schedules

Trash and recycling collection schedules can seem confusing, especially if you’ve just moved to a new city or town. This guide breaks down trash and recycling pickup schedules for the Harvey area, helping residents stay informed on collection days.

About Harvey Trash and Recycling

E.L. Harvey is the primary provider of trash and recycling services for the Harvey area in Massachusetts. As a family-owned and operated company since 1911, they offer complete waste management services for both residential and commercial customers.

Some key things to know about Harvey trash and recycling:

• Residential curbside collection – E.L. Harvey provides weekly trash pickup for households, using 96-gallon carts. They also collect recycling weekly if you provide your own bin.

• Commercial services – For businesses, E.L. Harvey offers dumpsters, compactors, recycling, and secure document destruction.

• Municipal contracts – They handle trash and recycling collection for the city of Harvey through a municipal contract.

• Recycling facility – There is a recycling drop-off center in Westborough open 6 days per week.

• Customer service – Contact E.L. Harvey by phone (800-321-3002) or email ([email protected]) for any collection scheduling questions.

Trash and Recycling Schedule for Harvey

For residential curbside customers in Harvey, here is an overview of the standard collection schedule:

• Trash – Collected weekly on Fridays

• Recycling – Collected weekly on Fridays

• Yard waste – Seasonal collection on Fridays from April to November

• Bulk items – By appointment on Fridays for an added fee

The regular Friday collection schedule applies to most weeks of the year, with a few exceptions:

• Holiday weeks – Collection is delayed by 1 day after Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

• Inclement weather – Pickups may be postponed during major winter storms or natural disasters.

You can download a PDF calendar from the E.L. Harvey website showing the full year’s trash and recycling schedule for Harvey.

Holiday and Inclement Weather Policies

Since holidays and bad weather can affect the normal trash pickup calendar, it’s important to pay attention to the following policies:

• Major holidays – No collection on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. The rest of that week’s pickups slide back by 1 day.

• Minor holidays – Service continues as normal on President’s Day, Patriots’ Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.

• Severe snow/ice – Collection may be postponed during major winter storms at the town’s discretion. Makeups occur ASAP.

• Hurricanes – Service is suspended when driving conditions are hazardous. Makeups are rescheduled.

• Excess trash – If postponed, set overflow trash out on your next collection day.

• Notifications – Check town website or social media for updates on cancellations or delays.

Being prepared for changes to the schedule can prevent missed pickups and overflowing trash.

Setting Out Trash and Recycling

To ensure your materials are collected properly in Harvey, follow these guidelines:

• Trash – Must be inside your provided 96-gallon cart with lid closed. Do not overfill.

• Recycling – Place loose in your own bin, like a laundry basket or plastic tote. No plastic bags.

• Yard waste – Use biodegradable bags or rigid containers labeled as “yard waste.”

• Bulk items – Schedule pickup at least 24 hours in advance. Fees apply.

• Hazardous waste – Not accepted curbside. Must drop off at designated facilities.

• Placement – Carts and bins should be curbside by 7 AM on collection day. Avoid blocking sidewalks.

• Lids – Container lids should be closed to keep contents contained.

Following these preparation and placement tips will help garbage collectors efficiently empty and move your containers.

Recycling Right in Harvey

Harvey provides single-stream recycling collection, meaning all recyclables can be mixed together loosely in your bin. Below are tips on recycling properly:

✅ Paper – Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, paper bags, cardboard, paperboard. Flatten boxes.

✅ Containers – Plastic bottles and jugs, glass bottles/jars, aluminum cans, clean foil, aerosol cans.

✅ Cartons – Milk, juice and soup cartons.

❌ No bags – Do not put recyclables in plastic bags.

❌ No food waste – Empty and rinse containers of food debris.

❌ No tanglers – Avoid plastic bags, wires, chains, electronics.

Follow the recycling guide on the town website to reduce contamination. When in doubt, leave it out!

Fighting Contamination of Recyclables

Recycling contamination occurs when non-recyclable materials are mixed in with recyclables. This can damage equipment and ruin entire loads. Help prevent contamination:

• Remove food residue, liquids, and hazardous products from recyclable containers

• Never bag your recyclables – keep loose

• No plastic bags, films, or tanglers like wires and hoses

• No styrofoam – it is not recyclable in standard programs

• Double check the recycling guide if unsure about an item

• When in doubt, leave it out! Place borderline materials in trash

Stopping contamination is crucial for maintaining an efficient, high-quality recycling program. Check the recycling guide on the E.L. Harvey website before tossing questionable items in your bin.

Options for Large Item Disposal

For bulky waste like furniture, appliances, carpeting, and other oversize objects that don’t fit in your trash cart, Harvey residents have a few options:

• Curbside pickup – Schedule bulk item collection through E.L. Harvey for a fee based on the type of item. Minimum 24-hour notice required.

• Transfer station – The E.L. Harvey drop-off center in Westborough accepts bulky items and overflow trash for a disposal fee. Open to Harvey residents.

• Specialized pickup – For items containing refrigerants like AC units or refrigerators, contact a certified removal company to schedule a pickup. Fees involved.

• Donation – If still usable, donate furniture, appliances, and other household items to local charities like Goodwill.

• Recycling – Check for metal or electronic recycling programs that may accept appliances, tires, or mattresses.

Properly disposing of oversize waste keeps the community clean and safe. Never dump large objects illegally.

Hazardous Waste Handling

Household hazardous waste like chemicals, oils, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs can’t go in your curbside trash. Harvey residents have a few options for safe disposal:

• Household Hazardous Products Collection – Drop off at designated collection events organized by the town 4 times per year.

• Regional facility – Bring to the Minuteman Hazardous Products Facility in Lexington. Fee may apply.

• Retailer programs – Take rechargeable batteries, used motor oil, and spent fluorescent bulbs to local retailers like AutoZone that recycle them.

• PaintCare sites – Drop off leftover latex and oil-based paints at participating hardware stores and recycling centers.

• Prescription drugs – Use designated drug drop boxes at police stations to dispose of medications safely. Don’t flush!

Proper hazardous waste disposal prevents toxic materials from harming people or the environment. Never pour chemicals down drains or in the ground.

Staying Informed in Harvey

Stay up to date on trash and recycling information in Harvey using these helpful resources:

• Town website – Check www.harvey.gov for program guidelines, schedules, event calendars, and alerts. Sign up for email updates.

• E.L. Harvey app – Download their mobile app for collection reminders, service notices, and bill pay.

• Social media – Follow Harvey and E.L. Harvey on Facebook and Twitter for announcements on delays, events, holidays, etc.

• Town hall – Call 781-555-1234 with any questions not answered online. Or visit the DPW office.

• Collection days – Set out carts by 7 AM. Sign up for free text/email alerts from E.L. Harvey before your pickup days.

• Customer service – Contact E.L. Harvey’s team at 800