Recycling requirements in Worcester County align with MassDEP Waste Bans (310 CMR 19.017) enforced statewide. Worcester uses single-stream weekly curbside recycling through the DPW. Contaminated bins may be tagged and skipped.
Worcester County has no recycling program because county government was abolished in 1998 — each municipality runs its own. The City of Worcester operates single-stream curbside recycling through the Department of Public Works & Parks, collecting paper, cardboard (broken down), glass, metal cans, and plastics #1-#7 bearing a recycling symbol on alternating weeks paired with yard waste seasonally. Residents use Worcester-provided blue recycling bins or toter carts. Contaminated bins (plastic bags, food waste, Styrofoam, tanglers like hoses and cords) get a rejection tag and are not collected. Massachusetts has aggressive MassDEP Waste Bans (310 CMR 19.017) banning disposal of recyclables and since November 2022 also banning mattresses and textiles in trash. The MassDEP Solid Waste Master Plan targets 30% reduction by 2030 and 90% by 2050. Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Shrewsbury, and other towns have comparable single-stream programs. The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) provides regional recycling coordination. Multi-family properties over 4 units in Worcester must provide recycling under municipal rules. Rural towns using transfer stations require sorted recycling separated into paper, cardboard, glass (by color), aluminum, and plastics.
Worcester contaminated bins: tagged and skipped; repeat contamination $25-$100 per occurrence. MassDEP Waste Ban violations for commercial generators: $1,000-$25,000 per day under MGL c. 21A §16. Residential: warning, then $25-$100 municipal fine under Ch. 40U.
Worcester, MA
Worcester enforces quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM on weekdays and 11 PM to 7 AM on weekends under the city's Excessive and Unreasonable Noise ordinance. ...
Worcester, MA
Worcester regulates construction noise under its noise ordinance. Construction activities generating excessive noise are restricted during quiet hours. Permi...
Worcester, MA
Worcester addresses barking dogs under both the noise ordinance and animal control regulations. Dogs creating persistent noise that disturbs neighbors consti...
Worcester, MA
MGL c. 90, §22C — abandoned vehicles on public ways tagged after 72 hours, may be towed. Worcester Police and DPW enforce. City also has an 'Unregistered Veh...
Worcester, MA
Worcester regulates parking of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers in residential areas. These vehicles should be stored on private property and are s...
Worcester, MA
Worcester requires vehicles to be parked on approved hard surfaces. Driveway construction or modification requires permits. Vehicles may not be parked on fro...
See how Worcester's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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