Important Trash Collection Update for Randolph Curbside Customers
Starting tomorrow, October 1st, 2024, please remember that trash bags or unapproved containers cannot be left at the curb. All trash must fit inside your town-approved blue 96-gallon cart to be collected.
Trash outside the cart will not be picked up, so be sure to use the cart for all your waste. Each cart holds the equivalent of three thirty-gallon barrels or three garbage bags.
Remember, each household receives one cart, and if you find you need more space, you can purchase an additional cart. For questions, please contact the Public Health office at 781-961-0924.
Curbside Trash Collection will be Automated starting on October 1, 2024
July 25, 2024̶ Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, (MA DEP) released statewide municipal solid waste collection data from over a ten-year period. The study showed that the average household in Massachusetts generated 1,661 pounds of trash per year. Randolph averaged about 2,500 pounds of trash per household annually. This means that Randolph households are generating 40.3% more trash per household than the average household in Massachusetts. This is significant because municipal trash is weighed by the ton and the Town is charged a disposal fee per ton. Tonnage costs drive up the price of trash fees for the residents.
In an effort to stabilize or reduce future trash fees, Randolph is phasing in an automated trash collection program beginning on October 1, 2024. All households that participate in the curbside collection program will be assigned one (1) blue 96-gallon trash cart with a yellow lid. The cart will be delivered to your home between August 26 and September 17, 2024. Your trash cart will come with instructions on how to place it out for collection service.
Automated collection has proven to be an effective means to reduce curbside collection tonnage and it is common in many Massachusetts communities, especially our neighboring towns. In addition to the benefit of reducing the annual tonnage, it prevents litter by having a tight-fitting cover. The tight-fitting cover also keeps out pests such as rats, raccoons, squirrels, birds, flying insects and skunks. Melting snow or rain water also cannot get into the trash cart which will help reduce odors and added water weight to the tonnage.
It is important for you to know that starting on October 1st, 2024, trash bags or unapproved trash containers may no longer be left at the curb for collection. All trash bags must be placed in the town-approved cart to be collected. Trash outside of the town-approved cart will NOT be collected. Each trash cart holds the equivalent of three thirty-gallon barrels or three garbage bags.
One cart will be satisfactory for 90% of households. If you are a heavy user of the Town’s trash program, you may purchase an additional Town of Randolph trash cart for an additional fee of $130.00 per bin per year. You can achieve this by purchasing a Trash Cart Permit on the Permit Center https://randolph-ma.gov or in the Public Health office at Town Hall. However, from experience, solid waste experts recommend residents utilize the one trash cart for a trial period of about four, (4) weeks before reaching out for an additional trash cart.
Going forward, you will need a permit for Mattress & Box Spring pick up. In 2022, MassDEP removed mattresses and box springs from the solid waste stream. Mattress/Box Spring pick-up will now require a $50.00 fee per item. Mattress/Box Spring will still need to be scheduled 7 days ahead of time. Starting Tuesday, September 24, 2024, you must go online at https://randolph-ma.gov under “Permit Center” to schedule a mattress/box spring pick up and pay for the service electronically.
Since trash carts will be utilized, it is required that Bulky Items MUST be scheduled in advance for pick- up BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. These items will be collected on your regular trash day only if they have been scheduled 7 days in advance starting Tuesday, September 24, 2024. You must go online at https://randolph-ma.gov under “Permit Center” to schedule a Bulky Item pick up.
If you have additional questions, please email gcody@randolph-ma.gov or call 781-961-0924. Gerard F. Cody, REHS/RS is the Public Health Commissioner who manages the Solid Waste & Recycling program for the Town of Randolph.
RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION: Frequently Asked Questions
Tonnage costs drive the price of trash fees. Overwhelmingly, more than 90% of Randolph households will only need one 96-gallon cart. About 10% of households use far more, and pay the same price as the average household, even though they create more trash. Uniform carts will help us to better control trash tonnage, and those who use more will pay more. This will also make our neighborhoods look nicer, with a uniform look for trash day. No more ripped trash bags, or trash blowing around from barrels with no covers.
Why is Randolph adopting an automated cart strategy to collect curbside trash?
Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, (MDEP) released data from over a ten-year study, ranging from 2011 until 2022, which details the number of tons of trash collected from each municipality in Massachusetts. This is significant because trash disposal costs are charged to the Town per ton to dispose of this material legally. In 2022, the average household in Massachusetts generated 1,661 pounds of trash. The same year, Randolph was found to be one of the 16 communities out of all 351 municipalities in Massachusetts that disposed of about 2,500 pounds per household of trash each year. This means Randolph is generating 40.3% more trash than the average household in Massachusetts.
Currently, Randolph has no limit on the number of bags or barrels for curbside trash disposal. An Automated cart system will provide all users with a town approved cart which will limit the weekly disposal of trash per household to about the equivalent of three normal size household trash barrels. Limiting the weekly pick up to a 96-gallon container will prevent illegal dumping from visitors from outside of our community who may be dropping off bagged waste at curbside. It will also help residents think about other options for disposing of organic wastes, such as food scraps, by participating in various programs to compost at home or through a curbside compost collection service. Contact the Randolph Public Health Department at (781)-961-0925 to learn more about your options to dispose of or recycle a wide variety of common household items for municipal curbside service.
What Is Automated Collection?
Automated collection is a thoroughly proven method of residential solid waste collection used in tens of thousands of municipalities as a cost-effective option to manual collection. Each home is provided with one trash cart with a yellow lid and one recycle cart with a blue lid. These carts are easy to roll and placed curbside on your designated collection day. The garbage trucks, equipped with a lifting device on the curbside, will lift, empty and return the carts to the same spot. The driver never has to leave the truck cab, but controls the entire loading operation from his seat. The entire collection process takes about 15 seconds to complete.
Why Do We Have Automated Collection?
Automated collection increases efficiency of refuse collection while improving safety. Automated collection provides stable annual costs for collection while improving service. It greatly reduces the amount of refuse processed, resulting in lower disposal costs. Randolph has been identified by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, (MDEP) as municipality which exceeds the state average of pounds per household annually. Randolph is 40.3% higher at generating household trash than the average household in Massachusetts.
What Size Are the Trash Carts?
The 96-gallon cart is 29.5 inches wide, 38 inches deep, and 44 inches tall.
The 32-gallon cart is 19 inches wide, 23.75 inches deep, and 37.5 inches high.
What Size Cart Should Be Large Enough for My Trash?
Experience in similar communities has shown that 96-gallon carts are usually the most appropriate size for most homes in Randolph. A limited number of 32-gallon carts are available for those that prefer smaller cart even easier to handle. The smaller 32-gallon cart may work best for those with one or two-person households or where storage of the carts is a concern.
Can I Exchange Cart Sizes?
Residents can obtain smaller carts if the sizes of the carts are too large. Call Randolph Public Health: (781) 961-0924 to exchange cart sizes or to learn more about the new program.
I Do Not Have Room to Store my Trash Cart. Can I Place my Trash in Bags at Curbside for Collection?
No. You are required to place bagged trash in the carts provided. A smaller 32-gallon cart may be available if you have limited storage. These are about the same size as the plastic containers you might already have. A cart exchange is available. There may be an additional fee to replace the cart. Contact the Randolph Public Health Department at (781)-961-0924 to learn more about the smaller cart option.
I Have More Trash Than Can Fit in One Cart. Can I Get an Additional Cart?
Yes. Those who use a second cart will pay an additional fee of $130.00 each year. You may purchase a permit for additional trash carts under Permit Center at www.randolph-ma.gov.
Can I Use Another Trash Container Other Than the Cart That Is Provided?
No. Only the trash carts delivered by the Town of Randolph can be used for your trash disposal. Trash left outside the carts will not be collected. Carts that are blocked or turned the wrong way after fully automated pick-up is implemented cannot be emptied.
Where Should I Put My Carts for Collection?
Place your cart at the curb at least 3 feet away from all objects including other carts, mailboxes, cars and trees. The lid opening should face the street with the wheels of the cart facing your house.
Will My Cart be Emptied if it is Placed in the Wrong Spot?
If you find your cart in a different location at the end of the collection day, please note where it is located and set out the cart at this location in the future.
My Cart Wasn’t Completely Emptied. Why?
The automated and semi-automated container dumping process lifts the container upside down and stops with a slight jolt so waste in the cart will fall out, unless it has been wedged, forced, or compacted into the container with some force. The system works best when the heaviest items are placed at the bottom of the container.
Why Do the Handles on the Trash and Recycle Carts Need to Be Facing My House?
The automated collection truck cannot turn the container around as it picks it up. Dumping the container “backwards” can break or damage the lid.
Why Do I Need to Provide Space Between My Trash Cart and Recycling Cart Set out for Collection?
A different vehicle collects each item, so access is important. The collection arm on the automated truck requires space to make the collection safely so that it will not tip over other containers or damage your property. Please keep the containers away from mailboxes, fire hydrants, telephone poles and other obstacles that may interfere with the collection.
What About Street Parking on Collection Days?
So that the collection truck can easily approach the cart, you are asked to please not park at the curb on collection days, or to park your vehicle a good distance from your carts and those set out by any neighbors.
What Are My Service Days?
Service days can be found under the annual Randolph Trash & Recycle Guide.
What Is the Holiday Schedule?
There is no service on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Patriot’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Columbus Day-Indigenous People’s Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. If your collection day falls on one of these holidays, there will be one day delay.
What Can I Put in the Cart for Trash Collection?
Bagged household trash can be put in your trash cart. Do not place items such as batteries, oil, pool chemicals, propane tanks or hot coals in your trash cart. Do not place medical waste, medicines, syringes, needles, lancets or pills in your trash.
Visit https://recyclesmartma.org/beyond-the-bin-search/ to learn more about what goes in your trash cart or learn how to dispose of items that do not belong in your trash cart.
How Are Large Items Collected Such as Furniture and Appliances?
A separate collection is performed for certain large items of waste defined as Bulky Wastes and Mattresses / Box Springs. Up to three pieces of household furniture can be scheduled in advance by at least one week ahead of your normal pick-up day at no additional cost. Mattresses or Box Springs may be scheduled ($50.00/piece) one week ahead for pick up for the following Friday. You must contact Randolph Public Health at: (781)-961-0924 or go to https://www.randolph-ma.gov/ under “Permit Center” to schedule a pick-up of these items.
The Following Items are not Available for Curbside Bulky Waste Collection:
- APPLIANCES, such as stoves, refrigerators, hot-water tanks, certain types of heavy, metal furniture and other items that cannot be broken down, are not collected by the Town of Randolph. You must find a private waste or junk removal hauler to dispose of this type of material that has been generated at your home.
- CONSTRUCTION refuse, demolition refuse is not collected by the Town of Randolph. You must find a private waste or junk removal hauler to dispose of this type of material that has been generated at your home.
- HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES such as automotive fluids, paint related material, pesticides, aerosol cans, propane tanks and related items are collected at an Annual Hazardous Waste day on a Saturday in early August each year. Look on the Town website for the next event.
- UNIVERSAL WASTES, such as batteries and light bulbs can be dropped off at the waste shed located behind the Friendly Food Pantry at 1 Turner Lane. Contact the Randolph Public Health Department for more details at 781-961-0924.
Why Weren’t the Bags/Boxes I Placed on Top of the Cart Collected?
No waste is to be placed on top of the automated cart contained as it will fall off the cart and cause a mess. The driver does not exit the vehicle, so there cannot be any trash on top of the carts.
How Do I Safely Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste?
Household hazardous wastes such as automotive fluids, paint related material, pesticides, aerosol cans, propane tanks and related items are collected at an Annual Hazardous Waste day on a Saturday in early August each year. Look on the Town website for the next event.
How do I Dispose of Pressure Treated Lumber Waste?
This is considered construction debris. Construction refuse, demolition refuse is not collected by the Town of Randolph. You must find a private waste or junk removal hauler to dispose of this type of material that has been generated at your home.
If the Cart Blows Over, Will Trash Still be Picked Up?
Windy days are less of a problem than before automated service, as the rolling carts are of an extremely stable design and can withstand side winds of up to 50 mph. You are responsible for the proper use of the cart including cleaning up any trash spilled from the carts due to high wind or other acts beyond human control. Capitol Waste Services will pick up any trash spilled as a result of the collection operations.
What if My Cart Gets Damaged?
If the collection truck causes the damage or damage is a result of normal wear, the damaged cart will be replaced at no charge to you. Damage resulting from negligence or abuse by the resident will be the responsibility of the resident.
If I Move, Do I Take the Cart with Me?
No. The Trash and Recycle carts are the property of the Town of Randolph as evident by the Town Seal on the cart. If you move, you are required to leave the carts at your old home.
How Do I Dispose of My Yard Trimmings?
See the Randolph Trash & Recycle guide for details about your options for curbside pick-up dates and for drop off dates at 6 Carlino Way. Do not use plastic bags to collect your yard waste. Yard waste in plastic bags is not accepted by the Town of Randolph.
Can Shredded Paper Be Put in the Recycling Bin?
No. Shredded paper should be bagged and placed in your trash cart.
