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Frequently Asked Questions
Information for
Solid Waste and Recycling
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The Town of Swansea offers its residents weekly curbside collection of trash, recyclables and yard waste (collected the second week of April (4/10/23) through the second week of December (12/8/23), 35 weeks). Participating residents pay an annual fee as set by the Board of Selectmen as well as paying for the trash bags used in disposal. Currently the annual fee is $210.00 with costs of bags set at $3.00 each for 33 gallon bags and $1.50 each for 15 gallon bags. Bags are sold in packages of seven (7).  Bags are sold at grocery and convenience stores in Swansea and neighboring communities.

Participating residents may also dispose of other items curbside with the purchase of tags (current cost is $35.00 each) also available at this list of stores. One bulk item per week with a tag attached may be set out for pickup with a resident’s household trash. TV’s, electronic items, large appliances and scrap metal (each requiring a tag) are also picked up by appointment. Call the private vendor EZ Disposal and Recycling at (781) 233-2211 to schedule a pickup.

Swansea’s trash program is supported by more than 95% of all eligible households – currently in excess of 5900. Approximately 300 households choose not to participate utilizing their own vendor who typically picks up a container placed in their front yards. Nonparticipants are not eligible for recycling services and yard waste pickup  whose costs are paid for by the annual trash fee.

For weekly pickup, the town is divided into five sections. Pickups are performed Mondays through Fridays with two exceptions. There is a one-day delay for collection on weeks containing each of the twelve major holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Patriots Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). In the case of severe weather pickup may be postponed for one day.

Residents must place trash, recyclables and yard waste (all streams are collected on the same day) curbside by 7:00 am on their collection day.

On a bi-annual basis, Swansea provides a day for residents to dispose of Household Hazardous Wastes. Typically held in April at the Case Junior High School Parking area residents may bring chemicals, paints, automotive wastes, electronics, propane tanks, and documents for shredding. A small fee may be charged for some items. 

There is no other drop-off service or location to dispose of unwanted items in Swansea (no transfer station). Construction and demolition material disposal is not provided for in the Town’s Solid Waste Program. Residents are expected to obtain their own dumpster or transport these materials themselves out of town.

The Town also has a receptacle for textile collection at the Junior High School.

There is also a cardboard dumpster at the Swansea Highway Department for residents to use. Cardboard boxes must be broken down.
           

Effective November 1, 2022, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has banned both mattresses and textiles from being disposed of as solid waste.  As a result, mattresses and box springs can no longer be placed curbside with a $35.00 green tag with your trash and recycling.

 The Town is implementing a new program as a response to this ban.  Beginning the week of October 31st, and resident looking to recycle a mattress can bring said mattress and /or box spring to the highway Department located at 101 Gardner Neck Road.  Mattresses can be dropped off one (1) day per week, every Wednesday between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 

 Mattress costs will now be $30.00 per Recyclable Mattress and $50.00 per Non-recyclable Mattress.  Please see the following page for what constitutes a non-recyclable mattress. Highway Department Personnel shall determine the appropriate cost based upon inspection of the mattress condition.  Payment for mattress recycling shall be in the form of cash or check made payable to “Town of Swansea”      

 Residents will be required to unload each mattress, have it inspected by Highway Department personnel, and place the mattress in a covered container.

 In addition, Textiles will no longer be allowed in Town approved trash bags.  Existing collection stations located at Swansea Public Schools are available for the collection of said items.  Gently used items in good condition may also be donated to The Salvation Army or similar entities.

 When purchasing a new mattress, recycling of the old mattress with the store should be considered, thereby reducing additional expenses through disposition with the Town collection services.

 Thank you for your attention to the matter.  Should you have any questions concerning these Solid Waste bans, please contact the Highway Department at 508-678-5615.

 Definitions- The ban defines Mattresses and Textiles as follows:

 Recyclable Mattress – includes any resilient material or combination of materials that is enclosed by ticking, used alone or in combination with other products, and that is intended for sleeping upon.  This includes all mattress sizes and crib mattresses. The also includes any foundation or box spring.  This does not include any mattress pad, mattress topper, sleeping bag, pillow, car bed, carriage, basket, dressing table, stroller, playpen, infant carrier, lounge pad, crib bumper, liquid or gaseous-filled ticking, including any waterbed and any air mattress that does not contain upholstery material between the ticking and the mattress core, and mattresses in futons and sofa beds.

 Non-recyclable Mattress – includes any resilient material or combinations of materials that are enclosed be ticking, used alone or in combination with other products, and that is intended for sleeping upon, however, such mattress is either heavily damaged, soiled, waterlogged, and /or contaminated with mold, fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances.

 Textiles – includes clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, fabric, and similar products, except for textiles that are contaminated with mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances (i.e., shop rags or wiping cloths, etc.)