- Town Projects
- Recycling & Solid Waste
Recycling & Solid Waste
Reducing the average tonnage of household solid waste is a priority and the Select Board encourages residents to challenge themselves to reduce their household solid waste by keeping more out of the solid waste stream. There is so much that can be reused or recycled. Reducing what goes into the solid waste stream and improving the environment begins with you.
Don't Treat it Like Garbage
If you are not an avid recycler or you are wanting to do more to help the environment, start by making small habit changes and gradually increase from there. The Transfer Station offers great opportunities to reduce what goes into the solid waste stream.
Smart Recycling and the Recyclopedia
- What goes in the recycling bin? Check out this great guide from RecycleSmartMA
- Think you know all things recycling? Test your knowledge through this quick quiz
- Use the Recyclopedia tool below to find out what can be recycled. You may be very surprised
What More Can You Do to Throw Away Less?
Follow the links below for information on recycling, composting, and donating at Weston's Transfer Station so you can further reduce your household trash.
If you don't have a Permit or a Recycle Only permit, find the purchase information and application online. The Recycle Only permit is a great way to gain access to the Transfer Station to take advantage of all of the recycling opportunities, yard waste disposal, and the Brush Dump.
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Bulky Waste
What should be done with bulky items from home that can be reused, repurposed, or broken down into separate recyclables? They shouldn't go in the garbage if it can be avoided. Find resources on this web page to help you find a good use for those larger items. If has to be tossed, find the price list and online payment option on this page, too.
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Cardboard Recycling
Cardboard is one of the largest, single components of municipal solid waste, yet recycling it uses only 75% of the energy needed to make new cardboard. This is one of the easier items to keep out of the garbage bag and recycle at the Transfer Station.
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Composting Food Waste
Organic materials, like food scraps, contribute to approximately 2/3rds of the solid waste stream. Not only is it heavy, it is wet and takes more energy to incinerate. And further, it takes up a lot of room in the garbage bag. Learn composting tips for home and what you can drop off at the Transfer Station.
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Electronics Recycling
Did you know all electronics can be recycled? An old camera, computer mouse, monitors, chargers, phones, printers, DVD players, and so much more.
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Ink Cartridges
More than 40,000 tons of plastic and metal is saved from landfills annually as a result of cartridge recycling. If 100,000 used cartridges are recycled, it can save over 21,000 lbs of aluminum, 40 tons of plastic, and 264,000 gallons of oil.
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Mercury Recycling
Compact fluorescent light bulbs, old thermostats, and button batteries contain mercury, which is hazardous to the environment and your health. These items need to be disposed of properly and should not be placed in household garbage bags.
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Paper Recycling
Every ton of recycle paper equals 64% in energy savings. Recycling paper is easy, it saves a lot of space in the trash bag, and reduces the overall household tonnage.
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Plastic Recycling
Only 50% of the plastic we use is used just once, and then it is thrown away. The average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastic each year. The Transfer Station accepts nearly every kind of plastic and recycling it takes up less room in the garbage bag. Throw away less, reuse or recycle more.
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Textile Recycling
The average U.S. citizens throws away 70 lbs. of clothing annually, yet 95% of textiles, worn or torn, can be recycled. The Transfer Station offers many options to recycle used textiles - from tattered towels to old sneakers. Some of the bins are for charities and some are the town's. The money from used/recycled textiles either goes to the charity or back to the Town. Save room in your garbage bag.
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Weston's Recycling at a Glance
A complete list of all recycling materials that are accepted at the Transfer Station.
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Transfer Station Information
Find information on Weston's Transfer Station facility, including information on obtaining a permit, hazardous waste collection, and the dates for the Brush Dump.
Did you know old sneakers, ripped jeans, holey socks, stuffed animals and ALL electronics - from keyboards to remotes - can be recycled? Don't treat it like garbage. Recycle.
MassDEP Regulations
Since the ’90s, state regulations have restricted certain materials from landfills, combustion facilities, and transfer facilities. These items include yard waste, metal, glass, aluminum, plastic, recyclable paper, and other materials.
How Weston Measures Up
As a designated Green Community by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, facilitating recycling and minimizing solid waste disposal is a critical goal of the Town of Weston.
Weston generates nearly one ton of trash per household, per year, which places Weston in the top 10 percent of solid waste generation in the state.