Andover, Massachusetts, Recycles
In Andover:
What to recycle can one recycle biweekly?
When to recycle will recyclables be collected?
How to dispose of other materials. does one dispose of other materials?
What happens to Andover's recyclables does Andover send recycled materials?
Why is it important to recycle? is it important for Andover to recycle?
Links to complimentary web sites. to recycling and environmental sites.
Return to main page.
Recycling Committee:
Tony Connell
Candy Dann
Don Gottfried
Marya Lundgren
Alana McKee
Jan Niebudek
Glenn Rogers
Scott Stecher
Seal of Town of Andover, Massachusetts
Public Works:
Jack Petkus, Director
Sandy Gerraughty

978-623-8350

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions and answers Andover has provided since the inception of the web site last year:

I have heard that only the #1 and #2 have a recyclable value
and the other plastics are destroyed?

The #3 thru #7 plastics, while having a limited market, are finding
certain niches such as plastic lumber that is made into decks and park
benches (Brand name Trex is sold at Home Depot, for example). 

More importantly, unless a supply is created for these materials, niche markets
will never develop because why would a person invest money in starting a
business in which no raw materials were available? 

See also the American Plastics Council web site.

Can we recycle plastic food wrappers, dry cleaning bags and the like?

The plastic wrappers are not recyclable in the Town's bins, but they may
be brought to the local dealers accepting them such as dry cleaners, 
WalMart, some super markets, etc. Most communities do not accept them 
because of the "fly away litter" problem either from the bins or from the trucks;
for the quantity of these items that is available it is not worth the
aggravation to the residents who have to pick up the fugitive debris.

Are there any options in Andover for recycling yard waste like brush, 
small branches etc. ? If not, what options are available in the 
Merrimack area ?

At present, the only options in Andover are to shred
it on site, have a private hauler take the brush for a fee or the
owner burn it during an authorized period with a permit from the
fire department.  The latter, of course, is environmentally
insensitive.  In no case, may the brush and yard waste be
included in the curbside trash.

Our small business generates a lot of waste paper from printers. 
How can we recycle rather than recycle it?

One of the links on this web site, WasteCap, provides a list of
recycling companies, with telephone numbers, that accept recycled
paper from businesses.   One of them, Waste Management, is
the company Andover uses for residential curbside collection.

"WasteCap of Massachusetts is a statewide non-profit organization
that assists businesses with implementing voluntary recycling, buy
recycled, reuse, and source reduction programs.  617-236-7715."

I live in Andover and have two old propane tanks (5 gallon BBQ tanks) that I
need to discard. They are both empty, but I don't believe they should go in
the trash. 

Is there a location to recycle or discard them near Andover?

No, unless that is where you purchased them.  Produce a sales slip
and the store should take the empties.  (A similar action applies to used
motor oil).

Other options for disposing of propane tanks properly have been suggested
by the Department of Environmental Protection.  They also provide a list of
possible collectors.
Please click to read.

We would like to know if we can sign a rubber product with the recyclable
sign (arrow).  Please let us know if it biodegradable ( it is natural).
Also, another product melts in a lot of sunlight; does that mean it is biodegradable?

No. The recyclable triangle with number is for plastics only.
Natural rubber can only be recycled with great difficulty because once it is
vulcanized the chemical bonds are drastically altered and breaking these
bonds requires more energy of chemicals. Most natural rubber that has been
vulcanized ends up being burned. There is very little in our trash that
cannot be recycled in one way or another but we do not mark them as
recyclable. The rubber getting gooey in sunlight is a sign of incomplete
vulcanization because rubber will soften in the presence of ultraviolet
light and heat. Will it biodegrade? Sure, eventually like everything else
it is just a matter of time. Tin cans rust away to nothing in 5 - 10 years,
newspaper will degrade in as little as 1 year under proper conditions, glass
takes well over 100 years while food scraps can be gone in as little as a
few weeks. Rubber, exposed to sunlight and air is generally thought to
degrade in 30 to 50 years. I would recommend against labeling anything
recyclable unless there is an identified market for the product otherwise
automobile tires and entire cars would be so marked.

How do I dispose of an air conditioner properly?

Air Conditioners contain freon and are banned by Mass  from the normal
waste stream. We recommend that residents with freon containing items
such as AC's and refrigerators call a private firm for pickup and disposal.

Two haulers of which we are aware who dispose of air conditioners properly are wegetridofit.com and igotjunk.com.  There may be others.

 What can we do with Styrofoam?

All Styrofoam is NOT accepted for recycling in Massachusetts any longer. 
 For more information, you might want to read what the Franklin County 
Recycling center has to say on the subject.  Clean " peanuts" may be accepted at
places like "Mailboxes, Etc." or "UPS"  that do packaging for shipping.

Meanwhile bring your own mug with you when going for coffee. 

Why is there no recycling collection by the Town at private multifamily housing?

The Town of Andover has a long standing policy of
not picking up trash and recyclables at condominiums and apartments.
This policy was enacted because of the liability of a Town Contractor
moving heavy trucks onto private roads.

The collection equipment that the Town contractors use is
also not suited for picking up the dumpsters used in most multi-family
developments for trash and similar containers that would be necessary for
recyclables.

Nearly all trash haulers offer recycling so you should begin by
requesting that service from your hauler who will also provide containers
and inform you where they should be placed on the property for collection.

For a number of years the Town provided a recycling drop-off
collection for condominium and apartment residents as well as single
family residents but participation dropped to zero so it was discontinued
due to lack of interest.

Which batteries should I recycle and which should I put in trash?

Heavy duty or alkaline flashlight type, copper top, energizer, batteries
may be disposed of in the regular trash. These are not hazardous any
all alkaline batteries now manufactured are virtually mercury free.

Those containing mercury should be disposed of at the Water Treatment
Plant, the Town Hall or during the Household Hazardous Waste Day.

How can I dispose of a wireless phone?

Wireless phones can be recycled.  Check this link to the Collective Good or
The Wireless Foundation for their programs to donate phones.

Could you please tell me if you will pick up old furniture like baby cribs and broken 
furniture that the Salvation Army can't use?  If you will, could you please tell me how 
to prepare the items and do I have to set up a special pickup time and date?

Reduce it in volume as much as possible by dismantling and stack it next to 
your trash and it will be removed as a bulky item. Please, only one bulky item 
per week.

  Just what constitutes soft yard waste, and what are the rules for its disposition?

Soft yard waste (leaves and pine needles) can be bagged in clear 
plastic or paper and put curbside during the autumn months and it will be picked up (check this site for exact dates each year). Black or other opaque plastic bags will not be picked up. You may also bring this material to the Bald Hill composting facility on High Plain Road. 

Grass clippings will not be picked up by trash haulers nor allowed at compost site.  The best plan may well be to return them as nutrients to the soil.  See Lawn Boy comments.

Tree branches smaller than 6 inches in diameter and larger than 1 inch may be 
tied in bundles no more than 4 feet long and weighing no more than 35 pounds 
and left curbside with your trash. 

Twigs and branches less than 1 inch in diameter should be composted on your 
property with leaves and/or grass clippings.  Branches larger than 6 inches in 
diameter and stumps should be disposed of through a landscaper. 

Computer monitors and TV's can be disposed of at one of the three Electronics 
disposal dates - check your recycling calendar for this and all the information above. 

Please note these rules are the result of Massachusetts Law restricting disposal 
of certain items and not any willy nilly scheme the Town dreamed up!

  Why do large boxes have to be cut into 2x2 pieces rather than being flattened and placed into recycling bins along with bags of newspapers?  

The question is a good one and one that we've asked ourselves and continue to ask as we search for better options. The reality is that it is the truck's limitation that requires it.  If the pieces of cardboard are too big, they won't fit into the slot in the side of the truck.  With the side loading kind of truck that we have, when the container on the side is full it is lifted up hydraulically to the top and the contents are dumped in.  Big pieces of cardboard may bridge across the opening and all the paper would spill out around it or the driver would have to climb up to push the cardboard in.  The biggest challenge in recycling is always getting the materials to a consolidation point without doing too much work or transportation.  In this case, unfortunately, there needs to be some work done at home in order to make the trucking as efficient as possible.  We know it is hard and appreciate the effort made.  We are advocating for a cardboard only dumpster available to the public and will keep your comments in mind.

  Is there a landfill or transfer station that I can dispose of some building materials?  I have some 2x4 studs, nails and screws, old carpeting and sheetrock scraps that I need to dispose of?

There are a number of things you can do with debris from construction, renovation and demolition projects. Deliver the material to the local transfer/drop-off station if your community has one (visit Earth 911 and enter your ZIP Code to check) or hire a contractor to ensure proper recycling and/or disposal. You may also donate materials that are still usable and in good condition to a reuse center. (DEP response)

  How can I donate resalable cloting, shoes, bedding, draperies, curtains, housewares, glassware, small toys, games and tools

The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation has a pick-up service.  800-483-5503

Copyright © 2008 Andover Recycling Committee, All rights Reserved