Navigating Trash and Recycling Pickup in Wakefield, MA

Living in Wakefield, MA? Understanding when your trash and recycling will be picked up is an important part of keeping your neighborhood clean. This guide will provide details on Wakefield’s trash and recycling schedule, including how holidays impact pickup times.

Overview of Trash and Recycling Collection

The town of Wakefield provides trash and recycling collection for residents. Here are some key details on how it works:

• Trash collection occurs once per week on your designated day. Recycling is picked up every other week on your trash day.

• Unsure of your pickup day? You can find out using Wakefield’s online lookup tool. Just enter your address.

• Trash and recycling should be placed curbside in appropriate bins before 7AM on your pickup day.

• The town provides recycling bins to residents. Trash bins must be provided by the resident, with a maximum size of 32 gallons.

• Bulk waste like furniture can be disposed of through the town’s curbside bulk waste pickup. Fees apply based on the items. Learn more here.

• Hazardous waste must be dropped off at designated collection events. See the schedule here.

Holidays and Changes to the Schedule

When holidays fall on or before your regular trash and recycling day, pickup gets pushed back a day.

For example, if you normally have Wednesday pickup, and Monday is a holiday, your pickup will occur on Thursday that week.

The town has compiled a handy holiday pickup schedule that shows the impacted days.

The following 12 holidays impact the trash pickup schedule in Wakefield:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Patriots’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

So if Independence Day (July 4) is on a Monday, Tuesday pickup would shift to Wednesday that week.

Review the holiday schedule each December to stay on top of the upcoming year’s impacted pickup days.

Options for Trash and Recycling Disposal

Residents have a few options when it comes to tossing out trash and recyclables:

• Curbside Pickup: Place bins curbside by 7AM on your designated day. This is the most convenient option for most household waste and recycling.

• Transfer Station: Located at 825 North Ave, the Wakefield Transfer Station allows disposal of trash and recycling for a fee. It is open limited hours so check the schedule.

• Special Events: For disposing of items like hazardous waste, electronics, textiles, and documents, the town hosts a number of special collection events throughout the year. Browse the event calendar.

• Large Pickup: For large amounts of household items and debris, consider ordering a 10-30 cubic yard roll-off dumpster on wheels for a designated period. Fees apply. Learn more here.

Recycling Guide for Wakefield

Wakefield offers recycling pickup every other week on your trash day. Below are the accepted items:

Paper & Cardboard

• Newspapers, magazines, junk mail
• Office paper, envelopes
• Pizza boxes
• Cardboard boxes (flattened)
• Paper bags

Metal & Glass

• Glass bottles and jars
• Aluminum/steel cans and clean foil
• Empty aerosol cans (caps off)

Plastics

• Plastic bottles, jugs, containers (#1-7)
• Milk and juice cartons

Make sure recyclables are clean and placed loose in bins – no plastic bags.

Learn more about Wakefield’s recycling program here.

Yard Waste and Composting

Wakefield offers seasonal yard waste collection from April to the first week of December. Here are some key details:

• Yard waste like leaves, grass clippings, and small branches must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or rigid containers labeled as “yard waste.”

• Collection occurs on your trash day – no need to schedule.

• Brush and branches must be bundled, under 4 feet long, and under 40 pounds.

Get more yard waste disposal tips here.

The town also operates a composting site for food scraps and yard waste. Learn more about the program and how to sign up here. Composting is a great way to reduce waste!

Contact Information for Wakefield Trash and Recycling

Have additional questions about Wakefield’s trash and recycling programs? Here are some key contacts:

Wakefield Department of Public Works

• Phone: 781-246-6301 x4120
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 1 Lafayette St, Wakefield, MA 01880

Wakefield Transfer Station

• Phone: 781-587-2636
• Address: 825 North Ave, Wakefield, MA 01880

By understanding Wakefield’s trash and recycling pickup process, schedule, and holiday impacts, you can ensure your household waste is disposed of properly. Check the town website for the most up-to-date information.