Town of CumberlandTrash & Recycling Department

Donna Kaehler, Recycling Coordinator

728-2400 x-155

recycle@cumberlandri.org

Correct recycling cart placement

Curbside placement of the recycling cart is key.  View how the automated truck picks up these containers, you’ll understand why.
Video of Curbside replacement

Spring Curbside Yard Waste Collection Has Begun!  April 15 - June 15, 2013

To see recycling and waste reduction ideas, visit the new edition of Recycling News

Holiday Trash Schedule

Cumberland is making changes to recycle more and reduce the amount of trash our community generates. Your help is needed, but together we can easily accomplish this!

Delivery of recycling carts for “RECYCLE NOW” have started.  Many residents are asking:

Why do I have this cart?     Cumberland is automating their recycling collection, and residents must use this container to have their recycling picked up by the automated truck.

Why are we automating recycling?  To make recycling easier for our residents and for Cumberland to recycle more than ever before. 

1.  Larger containers give resident room for all recycling they generate – no more having to throw away recycling because the bin was full.

2.  Closed containers keep all recycling in the container—let’s keep  paper  or plastic from blowing through the streets.

3.   Save our town money – Curbside recycling is one easy way to generate revenue for our community.  All the resident have to do, is sort the recycling from trash and put into these wheeled containers -- and the savings add up quickly.

a).  All recyclables are brought to our state landfill with no tipping fees;  unfortunately trash brought to the landfill costs us taxpayers $32 per ton. 

b). Cumberland is awarded a yearly recycling profit share.  The more our community recycles, the bigger our share.

Is this container just for recycling?  YES!  Only recycling goes into this cart. Now instead of putting your recycling in the blue and green bins, you put in this wheeled cart.  Residents can mix all their recycling together, but must not mix trash with recycling. 

Should recycling be loose or can it be in plastic bags in the cart? Loose.  Recycling cannot be in plastic bags for the sorting process to take place at our state recycling center.  Also remember to keep different materials separate, such as a glass jar with a metal lid.  Recycle both, but keep the lid off the jar so it can be sorted properly. 

What container do I use for my trash?  Trash must not be placed in the recycling cart. Residents should continue to use their own containers for trash collection.

Why should we sort recycling from trash?  Recyclable materials such as tin cans, paper etc. have a resale value and can be sold and reused if can be collected. While our state landfill can sort recyclables into 13 different materials, it can NOT sort trash from the mix.  Sorting has to be done before trash and recycling get mixed together to be utilized. This is why each household has to have two containers, one for recycling and one for trash, and also why we send two separate trucks, one to collect recycling only and one to collect trash only each week to your house.

When will I get my cart?  Delivery is being done by one route at a time. To complete the whole community is expected to take weeks.  Residents should continue to use their old curbside blue and green recycle bin until the 64 gallon cart arrives.

When do I start using this cart?  Immediately.    You will use this container on your next collection day. 

Do I have to worry how heavy the container might be?  No. The new system is automated, meaning we are now having a machine to pick-up and empty the cart.  So go ahead and add as much recycling as fits into the container.
 

Where do I place the cart on the curb?   You will place the cart in your usual spot for recycling collection.  For ease of empting, please make sure:

1. There is a 3 foot clearance around the recycle cart.

2. The arrows on the lids face the street.

3. Place no further than 2 feet back from the curb.

What do I do with the old curbside recycling bins?   If the resident want to get rid of their old blue & green recycle bins, Coastal will be picking them up -- date to be determined.  Bins in any condition will be accepted for collection and will be reused or recycled.  

Who owns these carts?  Coastal Recycling owns these carts, not the resident.  They cannot be removed from the property.  Residents cannot mark or alter the carts.  For any concerns regarding the cart, contact Coastal directly at 800-266-3188.

THREE EASY WAYS TO REDUCE TRASH

1.       Recycle All You Can

2.       Ask, Don’t Just Trash

      3.       Use Community Drop Off

RECYCLE ALL YOU CAN - Curbside recycling has never been easier with our new RecycleTogetherRI, Rhode Island’s statewide recycling program. 

Recycle More Plastic Containers:  All plastic containers under 2 gallon size can now be recycled. Don’t worry about the little triangles or numbers, if it is smaller than 2 gallons, just recycle it. This includes yogurt cups, margarine tubs, egg cartons and plastic take out containers. Just rinse and put in the recycle bin. For a complete list of items visit:

                                                                www.recycletogetherri.org

Recycle All Paper & Cardboard Boxes:  Now larger boxes, up to 4 feet in length, can be collected. Just flatten and place between recycle bins. No more twining or taping together - loose is best. 

Mix All Recyclables in One Container:  Now households just need two containers; one for trash but only one for recycling.  Mix all your paper, cardboard and containers in the one recycle container, no more sorting!

 ASK DON’T JUST TRASH - Trash reduction begins BEFORE you put an item in the trash can.  Determine if the item can go in your recycle bin or be recycled beyond the curbside program.  Every item kept out of the trash can, stays out of the landfill.  Not sure, just call, email or see below. 

USE COMMUNITY DROP OFFS – Recycling does not stop with our curbside collection program. There are so many more ways to recycle even more. Just drop off these additional items as you go through town.

WEEKLY CURDSIDE TRASH & RECYCLING COLLECTION

Trash Collection Guidelines:
§  All trash MUST be in cans or bags- please no loose trash.
§  Place containers curbside no earlier than 4 pm one day prior to collection and no later than 7 am on your collection day.
§  Trash amounts for an average family of four – should not be more than one 36 gallon can weekly.  Have more trash than that?  Feel free to call for suggestions on ways to reduce.

Recycling Collection Guidelines:
§  Residents should continue to use the curbside blue or green recycle bin until the new program takes effect. 
§  Unlimited amounts of recyclables are accepted weekly. 
§  All recycling should be LOOSE in your bin. Do NOT place in plastic bags.
§  Many more recyclable can now go right in the recycle bin— go to www.recycletogetherri.org  for a complete list.

SPECIAL CURBSIDE COLLECTIONS

BULKY ITEMS:

                Bulky items are considered a furniture item such as a couch, table or chair etc. 
§  Construction debris, mattresses, TVs, e-waste or appliances is not included in this collection.
§  One bulky item is permitted weekly.
§  Consider donating if item is still usable.
§  Call Coastal Recycling to schedule pick-up at 769-1900.

WHITE GOODS:

                White goods are large appliances:  stove, refrigerator, water heaters,  etc. 
§  White goods are collected every Wednesday.
§  Call Coastal Recycling @ 769-1900 to schedule a pick-up.
§  Smaller appliances such as a microwave, toasters or anything with a cord should be taken to the Kent Street garage.

YARD WASTE:

Yard waste is defined as vegetation, grass, leaves, weeds and small branches smaller than 3 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter. NO stones, dirt, or trash can be mixed in.
 

§  Weekly segregated collection: Spring collection from April 15 – June 15.  Fall collections from
   Oct. 15 – Dec. 15.
§  Place in brown compostable yard waste bags.
§  Residents are limited to 8 brown bags weekly.

COMMUNITY DROP- OFF LOCATIONS

Recycle even more items by using area drop-offs.

KENT STREET GARAGE

37 Blackstone Street

Hours Monday - Friday 7:30 am – 2:30 pm

723-7251

·         TV’s- All sizes are accepted free of charge.
·         Computers & e-waste – computers, scanners, printers, copiers, cell phones, computer parts, etc.  
·         Electrical items - any item with a cord.
·         Motor oil
·         Propane tanks
·         Car batteries.

Only these items can be accepted.  Anything else will be considered illegal dumping.

CUMBERLAND AREA DROP-OFFS

·         CLOTHING/SHOES/FABRIC – can be dropped in the white Kiducation Boxes located at Town Hall, BF Norton School, Ashton School & Garvin Memorial School.

·         HARD COVERED BOOKS – can also go in the Kiducation boxes listed above.

·         PLASTIC BAGS – clean plastic shopping bags and all thin stretchable plastic bags can be recycled by placing the restore containers located in a variety of retail stores. Also recycle bread bags, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaner bags, bubble wrap, pellet bags, wrapping from bottled water cases and paper towels.  Just remove any labels, food crumbs or zipper closures.  Please do NOT put in the curbside bin.

HOW DO I DISPOSE ?

COOKING OIL - Bring to RI Resource Recovery in Johnston.

CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS- Construction debris is considered wood, sheet rock, toilets, windows, tiles etc. This material cannot be collected in the weekly residential collection.  Residents can dispose of this item for a fee at RI Resource Recovery or at area transfer stations.

CHRISTMAS TREES- Real trees and wreaths free of tinsel, ornaments, wire or bags can be brought to Tucker Field, Kent Street Garage or Northern Garage during the month of January for composting.  Trees are not collected curbside and will not be put in the trash.  

FLOURESCENT LIGHT BULBS – CFL’s are considered hazardous and can be brought to an Eco- Depot collection.  They are also accepted at many Lowes and Home Depot stores by the customer service desk. 

HAZARDOUS ITEMS - Oil based paints/stains, pool chemicals, propane tanks are considered hazardous and are not collected in the weekly trash.  RIRRC offers many Eco-Depot collections throughout the state. Go to  www.rirrc.org.eco-depot  or call 942-1430 x 241 for collection dates and accepted items.

MEDICAL SHARPS- All medical sharps should be placed in thick plastic container, such as an old laundry detergent container. Secure with cover and then tape, and put in your TRASH can—do not place in recycling.

PAINTS & STAINS – Latex paints/stains are environmentally friendly and empty cans with cover off, can go right in the recycle bin.  Cans of latex paint, must be hardened with cover off container and then can go in your weekly trash.  Latex paints will be marked as clean up with soap and water only.  Any other cleaning agent needed, means it is considered hazardous and must be handled as hazardous waste.

RIGID PLASTIC – Can be recycled by bring to the landfill, RIRRC during normal business hours.

TIRES - Local tires business will accept tires for a nominal fee.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why should I recycle?  Recycling is the easiest way to divert items out of your weekly trash. Recycling is collected curbside on the same day as your trash—all you have to do is take all your recyclables and place in the recycle bin.  By simply doing that you save disposal costs. Our community is charged tipping fees for each ton of trash we send to our landfill, but the tipping fee for recycling is zero!

Where is the state landfill?  RI Resource Recovery is located at 65 Shun Pike Johnston RI, which is exit 5 off 295 South.  Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 6 am – 3:30 pm, and Saturday 6 am – 12 pm.