Transfer station opens for excess waste drop off, no sticker required

April 8, 2020 | Payton North
payton@thereminder.com

EAST LONGMEADOW – For years, residents in East Longmeadow have had to follow specific guidelines when it comes to throwing away their garbage. Some residents have found the regulations challenging to follow with COVID–19 spreading through the area, which resulted in the town altering their guidelines for the time being.

Last year all East Longmeadow residents were supplied with a specific, 35 gallon trash barrel that has a lid on it. If a resident should have more trash that can fit in the barrel with the lid closed, residents must purchase special bags in town to bag the excess trash in.

In the East Longmeadow Open Forum on Facebook, one resident questioned whether or not the current rules regarding trash were still in place, considering the concerns surrounding social distancing and the stay at home advisory. The resident explained that she had immunocompromised family members at home, therefore she did not want to go out to purchase more of the special trash bags from Rocky’s for fear of picking up the virus and bringing it home to her family members. She explained that she wondered if she were to use regular trash bags, if the trash would be picked up or left behind on trash day.

Elizabeth Bone, recycling coordinator for the town of East Longmeadow, noted new guidelines for the time being in town. Bone said that “we understand each household may produce more trash than normal,” during this time. She further explained that starting April 8, East Longmeadow residents are able to bring their excess household trash to the Transfer Station located at 170 Somers Rd.

The transfer station is available for drop off on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At present, this is a free service for town residents and no transfer station sticker is required. This, however, she stated may be adjusted at any time.

“This dumpster is for excess household trash only, and it must be in a plastic bag to be accepted. Please continue to practice good recycling habits and only bring household trash.” She warned, “If a town load is rejected at the dumping facility due to contamination by recycling or other items, services will be discontinued.”

The Transfer Station also has a dumpster available for bulky waste, such as broken furniture and other unusable items that can’t be donated. Bone explained there is a dumpster for wood, metal, sheds for mattresses, light bulbs, and batteries. There is also a brush and grass area which is open to dump yard waste. To access these services,  residents must have a Transfer Station sticker, which is available at the Department of Public Works (DPW), which can be reached by phone at 525-5400, ext. 1200. Some items do have fees, and residents are encouraged to check the DPW website for more information.

“As a reminder, please keep your distance from each other while visiting the transfer station,” Bone stated.

“The Town of East Longmeadow has also suspended its Simplerecycling pink bag textile curbside pickup program. Please hold onto your textiles as most donation centers have suspended their pickups to donation bins and drop off centers are closed,” she said, adding, “Also, now is a good time to organize your recycling and trash set up. Please remember to keep doing your best to recycle and to reduce trash. Our town gets revenue right now for our recyclables and we need to make sure it's not contaminated to be processed at the recycling facility.”

Finally, Bone asked that people not leave gloves, wipes or any items used to clean or protect yourself on the ground.

“Besides littering, these items may be contaminated and will make others sick such as our neighbors, and even our trash and recycling truck drivers,” she said.

Should anyone have questions regarding trash and recycling in town, Bone can be reached at elizabeth.bone@eastlongmeadowma.gov or at 525-5400, ext. 1108.

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