Understanding the Trash and Recycling Schedule in Ludlow, MA

Located in Hampden County, Massachusetts, Ludlow is a town of over 21,000 residents. To help keep the streets clean and the town environmentally friendly, Ludlow has a robust trash and recycling program. This article will provide an overview of trash and recycling collection in Ludlow, including schedules, guidelines, and other key details.

Trash and Recycling Providers

The town of Ludlow contracts with Waste Management for curbside trash and recycling collection services. Waste Management provides weekly curbside pickup of trash and recycling.

For disposing of bulky items, yard waste, and other materials not accepted curbside, Ludlow residents can utilize the Ludlow Transfer Station and Recycling Center. This facility is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8am to 3pm and accepts recyclables, yard waste, bulky items, and other waste for a fee.

Trash Collection

Trash collection in Ludlow occurs once per week on a set schedule depending on location. Trash should be placed curbside in town approved bags before 7am on collection days.

Collection is divided into five zones covering different neighborhoods and streets in Ludlow. Zone 1 is collected Tuesdays, Zone 2 on Wednesdays, Zone 3 on Thursdays, Zone 4 on Fridays, and Zone 5 on Mondays. To find your trash collection day, consult the Curbside Collection Street Listing.

Only town approved trash bags may be used for curbside collection. These can be purchased at local retailers including grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores. A list of approved retailers is available here.

Each trash bag may weigh up to 30 pounds. Cardboard boxes cannot be used in place of trash bags.

Recycling Collection

Curbside recycling is collected weekly on the same day as trash. Recyclables should be placed in bins or clear plastic bags curbside by 7am.

Ludlow’s recycling program follows a dual stream model – paper products must be kept separate from containers and bottles.

Paper products collected include:

• Newspapers & inserts
• Magazines & catalogues
• Junk mail & envelopes
• Paper bags
• Phone books
• Paperback books
• Cardboard boxes (flattened)
• Paperboard (cereal boxes, etc)

Containers/bottles collected include:

• Glass bottles & jars
• Aluminum cans, foil & trays
• Empty aerosol cans
• Milk and juice cartons
• All rigid plastic containers

Items that cannot be placed in recycling include plastic bags, foam cups & containers, light bulbs, and shredded paper.

For a full list of acceptable recyclables, consult the Dual Stream Recycling Notice.

Holiday Schedule

On weeks containing a holiday, trash and recycling collection is delayed by one day.

The holidays impacting the collection schedule are:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

So if your normal pickup is Tuesdays, expect collection on Wednesday of a holiday week. Check the Holiday Recycling Schedule for exact dates.

Hazardous and Bulky Waste

Items like chemicals, automotive fluids, batteries, and bulky items like furniture cannot be disposed of curbside. Ludlow residents have a few options for properly disposing of these materials.

For paint, motor oil, and other household chemicals, the Paint & Oil Disposal guidelines provide instructions. Some items can be dried out and thrown away while others need to be brought to the Transfer Station.

For batteries, Ludlow participates in the Call2Recycle program. Drop-off boxes for rechargeable batteries are located at the Town Hall, Library, Police Station, Fire Station, and more.

Bulky items like furniture, mattresses, appliances, and propane tanks can be brought to the Transfer Station and Recycling Center for disposal. Some items have a fee depending on size and material.

Yard Waste and Composting

Yard waste like leaves, grass clippings, branches, and brush cannot be disposed of curbside in Ludlow. Instead, this material can be brought to the Transfer Station and Recycling Center. Fees range from $1 to $10 per truckload depending on content.

As an eco-friendly alternative, residents are encouraged to compost yard waste. Compost bins are available for purchase at the Transfer Station for just $25.

Recycling Center

In addition to the curbside recycling program, Ludlow has a Recycling Center located at the Transfer Station. Here is what you can bring to the Recycling Center:

• Newspaper & cardboard
• Glass bottles/jars
• Cans (aluminum & steel)
• Plastic containers coded 1-7
• Scrap metal
• White goods (appliances)
• Tires (fee applies)
• Textiles
• Books
• Rigid plastics
• Motor oil & filters

Recyclables should be clean and sorted properly before drop-off. Anything left in plastic bags will be rejected.

Trash Fees and Billing

Trash collection in Ludlow is funded through the purchase of approved trash bags rather than taxes or utility bills. This “pay as you throw” model incentivizes recycling and waste reduction.

The fee for a pack of 5 – 30 gallon trash bags is $10.

Senior citizens and disabled residents may be eligible for reduced cost “senior bags” at $8 per 5-pack. An application is required. More details can be found on the Senior Abatement Trash Form.

For residents going through a financial hardship, you may qualify for trash fee abatement. Abatement provides vouchers for free trash bags for a 6 month period. Download the application here.

Contact Information

For additional questions regarding trash and recycling collection in Ludlow, contact:

Curbside Collection:

Waste Management
Phone: 800-972-4545

Transfer Station & Recycling Center:

488 Chapin St, Ludlow, MA 01056
Phone: 413-583-3550

Department of Public Works:

488 Chapin St, Ludlow, MA 01056
Phone: 413-583-5637

By familiarizing yourself with Ludlow’s trash and recycling schedules, guidelines, and resources, you can help keep your home and community clean while minimizing environmental impact.