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Trash, trash, everywhere trashThursday Apr 19, 2012 You can help keep our streets clean
Submitted by Pilot Block Neighborhood Association
Year after year, a major concern of South End residents is how trash is put out for pick-up, how long trash sits on our streets, sidewalks and alleys, how it is collected, and what our neighborhood looks like after trash has been picked up.
The South End Forum, representing numerous South End neighborhood associations, has been working cooperatively with our city partners in Public Works, Inspectional Services, Code Enforcement, and others to address the problem throughout the South End.
An early step the city is taking is stepping up education (recently distributing brochures) and enforcement of code violations. They have begun to routinely send Code Enforcement personnel to ticket offenders. Following are excerpts from city regulations pertaining to trash and recycling.
How to avoid a ticket:
Improper bags are the most common item ticketed. City regulations regarding how trash is bagged include:
Acceptable Bags:
Made of 1.5 mil thick plastic (2-ply)
32 gallons or less
Setting trash out for pickup in kitchen bags, grocery store bags, paper bags, cartons, or boxes is not acceptable.
To repeat: use tied trash bags, not grocery or shopping bags.
Optional Barrels:
Made of metal or durable plastic
Lid required
No larger than 32 gallons in capacity
When full, no heavier than 50 pounds
All garbage must be contained in tied trash bags
When & where can trash & recycling be put out:
City regulations do not allow trash to be put out for pick up except during specified times:
Set bags out neatly behind your property only (or on the street for Tremont/Warren) by 7 a.m. on your trash day(s) or after 5 p.m. the night before. Remember to separate trash from recycling on the curb.
Trash is picked up in our neighborhood on Tuesday and Friday.
Recycling is Tuesdays only.
Recycling:
Clear plastic bags or blue bins. (Blue bins may be phased out in the future to reduce blowing litter.)
Clear plastic bags may be purchased at various locations including The Food Emporium on Columbus Ave.
The City of Boston website has a recycling link which includes info about recyclable materials, and other locations where clear bags are available.
Notes from your Neighborhood Association
Following city guidelines for trash helps keep the neighborhood clean and helps control rodents.
Although city regulations allow items for pick up to be put out after 5pm, it is preferable to put trash/recycling items out in the morning to limit the amount of time that trash-pickers and rodents can rip open bags or rifle through barrels.
Please do not seal returnable bottles or cans in trash bags where trash-pickers will tear them open. Use a separate bag or leave the returnables easily accessible at the top of the bag.
Regardless of everyone’s best efforts, some trash may spill. Please be a good neighbor and help keep our alleys and streets clean by picking up what you can.
Your trash belongs behind your building (or in front of at limited buildings only) at the appropriate times, not in the park or the most convenient corner.
If trash pickup is missed or you have questions, call the Mayor’s Hotline at 617-635-4500. Save it in your phone.
City Trash website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/recyclingandsanitation/regulations.asp
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