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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — And now on to recyclables for phase two of the conversion to the new Casella Waste trash/recycle program.
The program began May 1 and there were only a couple glitches — mainly with the migration of those eligible residents who used to have their trash picked up on Fridays. Marc Morgan, Casella’s strategic account manager – Municipal Services, said the trash pickups used to be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays. With the new program, Casella moved to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, necessitating moving those who used to have their trash picked up on Fridays moved to Wednesday or Thursday. That leaves Friday for holiday/bad weather “catchups” rather than the former Saturday.
However there was still a “hiccup” in the management of the app which mistakenly told some “Friday folks” they were moved to Thursday when it was in fact Wednesday. They didn’t get their trash out.
This week Casella is adding the recycle portion of the program. Recycling will be picked up every other week.
What belongs in the 95-gallon recycle bin (do not bag recyclables): Cardboard (broken down into 2 feet, max), boxboard, junk mail, periodicals and office paper (paper bags, envelopes, catalogs). Also, plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and lids including empty kitchen, laundry and bath containers and clamshells. Also aluminum and steel cans, foil and empty food and beverage cans. And finally, glass bottles and jars (empty food and beverage bottles and jars). All containers should be clean and dry.
What’s not accepted? No items 2 inches or smaller, plastic bags, bagged recyclables, clothing/textiles, tanglers (hangers), scrap metal items, batteries, medical waste, food waste/liquids, electronics, hazardous materials or explosives, plastic wrap, films or tarps, wood, waste, or tires, disposal items, waxy boated paper items, ceramics or baking glass.
For recycling tips and resources, visit casella.com/RecycleBetter.
The trash cart and the recycle cart on a flat surface at least 3 feet apart, with the front facing the road. For the arm to swing the cart to the top of the truck there should be 10 to 12 feet of clearance from tree branches, etc. Morgan said many people put the trash cart on one side of the driveway and the recycle cart on the other side of the driveway. The carts should be clear of snow, landscaping, mail boxes and utility poles.
If you have any questions for Casella the phone number for service is 860-423-4527.
What About Bulky Waste?
The town’s Bulky Waste Collection will be May 18 at the Putnam Armory; and Aug. 17and Oct. 26 at the Putnam Middle School. No charge — you just need to show residency. Highway Superintendent Travis Sirrine had said in January the town is looking into a transfer station that would take all waste except household garbage, but that’s sometime, perhaps, in the future.
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