2022 Mass DEP Waste Ban Update
3 New Items Added to MassDEP Waste Ban List
The purpose of the waste ban is to divert easily recycled items from the waste stream due to the diminishing capacity of landfills and incinerators.
Effective Date: November 1, 2022
What does this mean for Medway residents and businesses?
1. Textiles - such as clothing, towels, bed sheets, stuffed animals, shoes, hats, gloves, curtains, scrap fabric, torn clothing, etc. will not be allowed in the trash.* They must be recycled in a textile collection bin, which is located at the Recycling Center and at each of the Medway Public Schools.** Items must be bagged. DO NOT use your yellow Medway bags.
DO NOT PUT TEXTILES IN YOUR CURBSIDE RECYCLING CONTAINER.
There are no other changes to the curbside recycling or trash collection at this time. Please follow the guidance outlined in the Curbside Chronicle.
2. Mattresses - The Medway DPW has been proactive with our mattress recycling program. All mattresses collected curbside or brought to the Recycling Center are recycled. There will be no change for residents enrolled in the town trash and recycling program.
3. Food Waste - This does not apply to residents (although composting is always encouraged). This applies to businesses and institutions that generate a 1/2 ton of food waste or more per week. These entities must identify a way to compost their food waste or more per week. These entities must identify a way to compost their food waste. Examples of businesses and institutions that may be affected by this update include restaurants, grocery stores, nursing homes, schools, hotels, etc. ***Use the Food Waste Calculator link below to see if your operation is subject to the new requirements.
* Textiles contaminated with oil, grease, bodily fluids, etc. will still be considered trash. Please reference the BayState Textile webpage (link below) for a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable items.
** for every ton of material collected, Baystate Textiles gives $100 to the Medway Foundation for Education.
*** Medway Schools do not meet the threshold for food waste at this time.
Additional Info. Can Be Found Here:
Baystate Textiles MassDEP Solid Waste Master Plan