How Taunton Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Taunton maintains 84 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Taunton falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Recycling Rules

Households in Taunton's curbside program must place recyclables only in the City-approved plastic bins the City provides free of charge; recyclables cannot go in the paid trash bags used for solid waste. The Commissioner of Public Works administers the program.

Key details: Recycling container: City-approved plastic bin. Bin cost: No charge, City-provided. Effective date: February 21, 2012. Sorting rules set by: Commissioner of Public Works. Not for recyclables: Paid trash bags.

Chapter 420 sets no separate dollar fine for placing recyclables in the wrong container; the practical consequence under the Commissioner's administered procedures is that improperly presented recyclables are left at the curb. Recyclables or trash dumped outside the approved bin-and-bag program altogether is illegal dumping under § 420-10, punishable by a $300 fine.

Recycling Requirements

Taunton's Commissioner of Public Works, with the Municipal Council Committee on Solid Waste's approval, adopts the written rules governing how residents must prepare, sort and set out solid waste, recyclables and compostables, and separately administers the curbside program's day-to-day policies.

Key details: Rulemaking authority: Commissioner of Public Works. Approval required from: Council Committee on Solid Waste. Covers: Solid waste, recyclables, compostables. Program administration: Commissioner sets policies/procedures. Collection contracts: Bid by Solid Waste Committee.

Chapter 420 does not attach a stand-alone fine to noncompliance with the Commissioner's sorting and preparation rules issued under § 420-3; households that fail to use the required bags or bins risk having curbside material left uncollected under the Commissioner's administered procedures, and dumping outside the approved program is separately punishable under § 420-10's illegal-dumping fine of $300.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Every household on Taunton's curbside program must bag its trash in City-approved bags of 30 to 33 gallons, sold for $2 apiece, before it will be collected by the City or its contractor. Recyclables go separately into City-issued bins, not these bags.

Key details: Approved bag size: 30 to 33 gallons. Bag cost: $2 per bag. Who collects: City or its contractor. Effective date: February 21, 2012. Administered by: Commissioner of Public Works.

Chapter 420 does not fix a standalone dollar fine for setting out trash in non-approved bags; the practical consequence is that the material is left uncollected under the Commissioner's administered curbside procedures. Depositing noxious refuse in public ways without a Board of Health permit under § 420-2, or dumping outside the approved program entirely, is separately punishable, with illegal dumping fined $300 under § 420-10.

Illegal Dumping

Taunton bans dumping or tipping garbage, trash or refuse anywhere other than the City dump upon payment of the required fee, and punishes any violation with a flat $300 fine, no graduated first-offense discount.

Key details: Where dumping is legal: City dump only, fee paid. Fine per violation: $300 flat. Last amended: June 14, 2016. Related permit rule: Board of Health permit, § 420-2. Hazardous waste facilities: Prohibited citywide, Art. III.

A violation of § 420-10's dumping ban carries a flat $300 fine per violation. Related dumping at the City landfill site outside permitted hours or in violation of Board of Health conditions is separately punishable under § 1-5 of the Code, and unauthorized removal or handling of material already dumped at the landfill is punishable in the same way under § 420-8.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Taunton actively enforces its illegal dumping requirements.

The Bottom Line

Taunton's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Taunton is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Taunton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.