How can I dispose an old couch or appliance? Where can I dump an old mattress or lawn equipment?
Various community electronic recycling events are held throughout the year to benefit organizations, such as the upcoming First Parish event. On a regular basis, though, many items are still difficult to dispose.
The town of Northborough does offer a bulk item label for $10, which residents may purchase to dispose large burnable items, such as a couch or mattress.
The Dumpster Divers Regional Recycling Center located at 3A Industrial Drive in Shrewsbury (off of Route 9) offers another convenient alternative. It is open from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of each month. Residents should be prepared to unload their own vehicle and to pay a small fee for the disposal of the items being dropped off. Cash, credit or debit are accepted.
View the full list of acceptable items and fees. Liquids, mercury, lightbulbs, household batteries, balloon tanks, household trash, styrofoam and plastics are not accepted.
Arrangements can also be made for large item pick up by calling 508-925-5245 or by completing the online form.
Dumpster Divers owner Mike Fashjian said the center opened in July and has seen increased use.
“If the demand increases, we may open more Saturdays,” he said. “For now, two Saturdays a month is enough.”
Fashjian said this was a service needed after speaking with area Public Works Departments, who often find larger items disposed on the side of the road.
Items are sent to a recycling facility, dismantled, shredded and separated. If you are concerned about any private information on old hard drives, he suggests to either wipe them clean or remove and destroy the hard drives before bringing the scraps to be recycled.