Recycling is Easy!
If you live in a single family home, or any dwelling with three or fewer units, your recyclable items are picked up right at your curb every other week on the same day your rubbish is picked up. Simply place your items at the outer edge of the sidewalk or at the edge of the travel way by 7:30 A.M. that day. The DPW (508-497-9740) provides each new Hopkinton household with a recycle bin. Replacements may be purchased from DPW at cost (aprx. $5).
Note: any container of appropriate size (e.g. milk crate or laundry basket) may be used for recyclables. Containers with lids are available at many hardware stores.

If you miss a week, have oversized cardboard, leaves, grass, brush, or even old cloths to get rid of (or otherwise need to do it yourself), you can drop off a similar set of recyclable items at the Recycling Center any Saturday from 7:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Recycling is required.
STARTING DECEMBER 1, 2003:
ENFORCEMENT OF THE TOWN’S MANDATORY RECYCLING BYLAW WILL BEGIN AND TRASH WILL NOT BE TAKEN FROM HOUSEHOLDS THAT DO NOT RECYCLE. s

STARTING DECEMBER 1, 2004:
CORRUGATED CARDBOARD WILL ONLY BE PICKED UP CURBSIDE AS A RECYCLABLE MATERIAL ON A BI-WEEKLY SCHEDULE. IT WILL NOT BE PICKED UP AS RUBBISH.

PLEASE HELP US REDUCE OUR TRASH BY RECYCLING PROPERLY.

Curbside Recycling Collection – Every Other Week

1. Materials must be curbside by 7a.m.Collection of all recyclables will be made from each dwelling, including apartment buildings consisting of three or fewer dwelling units.  Items for collection must be placed on the outer edge of the sidewalk or at the edge of the travel way.  Please separate trash and recycling containers.

2.   Recyclable materials must be separated.

·Food and liquid containers must be rinsed clean.

·Food‑contaminated paper such as pizza boxes are not recyclable and will not be taken.

·Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, phone books, paperboard such as cereal boxes, juice boxes, and white/colored paper should be placed in a paper (not plastic) bag or in a separate bin. Junk mail with window envelopes, staples and paper clips are acceptable for recycling.

·Corrugated cardboard must be reduced to 2‑foot by 2‑foot pieces (or smaller) and placed beside recycling bin at curb. Flattened cardboard boxes may be taken to the Recycling Center on Route 135 (Wood St.) at the Hopkinton/Westborough line (on right if traveling toward Westborough) between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

·Glass bottles and jars are collected; please remove lids and cork – no need to remove neck rings.

·Other glass such as dishes, Pyrex, light bulbs, window/auto glass, ceramics, mirrors, drinking glasses, or broken glass are not acceptable.

·Tin, steel, and aluminum cans are collected and must be rinsed clean.

·No aluminum foil, aerosol cans, paint cans, coat hangers, or hazardous containers are collected.

·Milk and juice cartons must be rinsed clean, with straws removed.

·ALL plastic containers with a recycling symbol (1-7) are collected.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to remove labels from cans and bottles before recycling them?
No, recycling is much easier than it used to be. Labels may be left on cans and bottles.

Must I separate paper from paperboard (for example, cereal boxes) and cardboard?
No, for curbside recycling it is no longer necessary to separate paper from paperboard or cardboard. All paper products are mixed together.

How thoroughly do I have to rinse cans and bottles before recycling them?
Residual food contaminates the recyclable product. Cans, bottles, plastic jugs or food containers should be clean and without any food residue.

Must I remove all scotch tape from cardboard boxes before recycling?
No. Tape and labeling can remain on the cardboard.

Is it OK to recycle gift wrap, tissue paper, or children’s drawings with crayons or markers?
Gift wrap and children’s drawings and other marked paper material can be recycled. Tissue paper, because of its density, is not recyclable.

How may I obtain a recycling bin?
Call the DPW at 508-497‑9740 for information on obtaining a recycling bin. New residents are entitled to one bin at no charge. Replacement or extra bins may be purchased from DPW at cost (approximately $5).Please bear in mind that any appropriate container, for example, a milk crate or old laundry basket, may be used for recyclables. Also, containers with lids are available at local hardware and department stores.

If it is raining on recycle pick - up day, do I need to cover my recyclables so they don’t get wet?
No. It doesn’t matter if the paper material is wet. The haulers know to carefully test and lift paper containers on inclement weather days.

If I miss a recycling pick - up, is there a way to dispose of my recyclables before the next scheduled pick-up date?
Yes, you may drop off your recyclables at the Recycling Center on Route 135 on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

State Requirements for Recycling TVs and Computer Monitors:

1.   The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection prohibits the disposal of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) at all Massachusetts solid waste facilities. CRTs are the glass picture tubes found in televisions, computer monitors and video games that protect users against radiation. The average CRT contains about 5 pounds of lead. For more information on the CRT rule, .The Salvation Army will not accept CRTs, nor will E.L. Harvey & Sons.

2.   For a fee, Millis Industries will recycle TVs, computer monitors, propane tanks, air conditioners, freezers or refrigerators.  Call 508-879‑4100 for more information.

3.   Watch local newspapers, etc., in the springtime for notices about “spring hazardous waste collection day” or call DPW at 508/497‑9740 for more information.

White Metal Collection:

1.   A dumpster will be provided the last Saturday of every month at the DPW Highway Garage, 83 Wood Street (Route 135).

2.   The Town of Hopkinton will not accept any freezers, refrigerators, or air conditioners at the Highway Garage.

3.   Home pick-up of white metal goods including freezers, refrigerators, and air conditioners can be arranged by contacting Millis Industries. Call 508-879-8209;4100 for information regarding their fees.

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