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πŸ—‘οΈ Trash & Recycling/Recycling Requirements

Recycling Requirements: Somerville vs Wakefield

How do recycling requirements rules compare between Somerville, MA and Wakefield, MA?

Somerville and Wakefield have similar restriction levels.

Somerville, MA

Middlesex County

Heavy Restrictions

Somerville requires single-stream recycling weekly alongside trash. Massachusetts bans cardboard, paper, metal, glass, and certain plastics from trash. Contaminated recycling bins may be rejected.

View full Somerville rules β†’

Wakefield, MA

Middlesex County

Heavy Restrictions

Recycling is mandatory statewide under MGL c.21H and 310 CMR 19.017. Residents must separate paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and plastic containers from trash.

View full Wakefield rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactSomervilleWakefield
FrequencyWeekly, same day as trash-
StreamSingle-stream blue cart-
MA waste bans310 CMR 19.017-
Plastic bagsProhibited in recycling-
ContaminationWarning then skip-
State Law-MGL c.21H
Waste Bans-310 CMR 19.017
Collection Type-Single-stream
Commercial Food Threshold-1/2 ton per week
Electronics-Banned from trash

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Somerville FAQ

Do I need to separate paper and containers?

No. Somerville uses single stream so all accepted recyclables go in one blue cart, but items must be clean and dry.

What about food waste?

Somerville offers a free curbside compost program for residents. Sign up through the DPW website to receive a kitchen bin and weekly collection.

Wakefield FAQ

Can I put plastic bags in recycling?

No. Plastic bags and film tangle sorting equipment. Return them to grocery store drop-off bins. Only rigid plastic containers belong in curbside recycling.

What happens if my recycling is contaminated?

You may receive a warning sticker and your cart could be left behind. Repeated contamination can result in loss of recycling service in some cities.

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