[Adopted August 1991 by the Select Board]
A. 
Recycling is mandatory in Lexington.
B. 
The Town of Lexington is committed to reducing the generation of solid waste within the community by working to:
(1) 
Educate residents to reduce the solid waste they generate;
(2) 
Accelerate recycling and composting efforts;
(3) 
Commit the remainder of solid waste to waste-to-energy (resource recovery) disposal; and
(4) 
Reduce the toxicity of the waste stream.
C. 
The Town Meeting has established a requirement for the mandatory separation of certain recyclable materials from the rubbish of Lexington residents. School buildings and public buildings are included in this program. Apartments and condominiums also participate. Residents are encouraged to reduce the volume of packaging they bring home and to buy and use recycled products in order to support markets for recyclable materials.
[Amended 7-10-2023]
The Town of Lexington collects the following categories of solid waste:
A. 
Recyclable waste (every week curbside collection). Consult the annual recycling informational brochure for an up-to-date listing of the materials that may be included in the recycling bin.
B. 
Nonrecyclable solid waste (regular weekly curbside trash collection). All garbage and rubbish that is not considered either recyclable or hazardous waste or is not listed in § 181-61E. See § 181-61 for details.
C. 
Household hazardous products disposal (10 collection events annually). Household hazardous waste includes any products or materials that can be toxic (poisonous), corrosive, flammable or reactive (explosive). See § 181-62 for details.
D. 
White goods pickup (curbside appliance pickup). Appliances are collected curbside by appointment only. See § 181-63 for details.
E. 
Yard waste (curbside, drop-off facility and home composting). Disposal options for approved yard waste include curbside collection for three weeks in the spring and 10 weeks in the fall, drop-off (see § 181-64 for details) and home composting (see § 181-66).
F. 
Christmas trees (curbside trash collection and drop-off recycling). Christmas trees may be disposed of through the curbside collection of regular trash or by dropping them off for recycling (see § 181-65).
[Amended 3-27-2019 ATM by Art. 34; 7-10-2023]
A. 
Where to place containers. Collection occurs at the curbside. Place trash containers or recycling bins (with at least eight feet between them) parallel to the curb, not going up the driveway or walk. Waste will not be removed from inside houses, garages or other enclosures. Residents should be aware of winter plowing operations and place their refuse containers where they will not impede sidewalk plows or be toppled by street plows.
B. 
When. Place the containers at curbside no later than 7:00 a.m. on the collection day. Remove empty containers within 12 hours of the collection. Collection vehicles will not return to an area after the trash or recyclables in that area have been collected.
C. 
Holiday collection. Regular waste and recyclables are not collected on legal holidays. Therefore, do not put waste at the curbside on a holiday. During a week when a holiday falls on a collection day, the weekly collection moves forward one day. For example, if a holiday falls on a Monday, waste is collected Tuesday through Saturday of that week; if a holiday falls on a Tuesday, waste is collected on Monday and Wednesday through Saturday of that week. Your recycling brochure lists all legal holidays affecting trash collection.
D. 
Sanitary conditions. Before and after collection, residents are responsible for maintaining safe and sanitary conditions at the collection site. Residents must remove refuse from spills or broken containers prior to the collection. The contractor will not collect loose refuse. Dog and/or wild animal complaints can be reported to the Animal Control Department at 862-0500 extension 240 during normal work hours.
E. 
Scavenging. Scavenging or picking through trash or recyclables is prohibited.
F. 
Penalties. Violation of these rules may subject a resident to penalty provisions under Town Bylaws and adopted regulations of the Select Board. If recyclable waste appears in a regular trash container, the Town will not collect the resident's regular trash.
[Amended 7-10-2023]
Mandatory separation of certain recyclable materials from the regular trash by Lexington residents was established by Town Meeting in 1988. An annual informational recycling brochure is mailed to all Lexington households.
A. 
Containers. As part of the Lex-Recycle programs, the Town provides each new household with a recycling bin (provide proof of new residency to pick up free bin). Every household must use at least one Lex-Recycle bin. Additional recycling bins are available for a fee. These are available at the Public Works Building, 201 Bedford Street, weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
B. 
Recyclable waste preparation. Follow these rules when preparing and putting out recyclables, placing glass, metal, plastic and aseptic containers in the bottom of the Lex-Recycle bin, with bagged (paper bags, not plastic bags) or bundled paper on top or beside the bin.
(1) 
Glass. Clear, green and brown food and beverage containers. Rinse clean. Remove lids, caps, corks, plastic sleeves, etc. Paper labels are acceptable Do not recycle broken glass.
(2) 
Metal. Aluminum and steel (tin) food and beverage cans. Rinse clean. Crush to save space. Discard cutout lids or secure within can by crushing. Paper labels are acceptable.
(3) 
Plastic. Narrow-neck bottles with Nos. 1, 2 and 5 within the recycling symbol: water, juice, milk, soda and detergent bottles. Rinse clean, remove lids/neck rings, crush or nest. Paper labels are acceptable.
(4) 
Aseptic. Milk and juice cartons/boxes. Empty and rinse clean. Remove straws.
(5) 
Mixed paper. Place newspapers/inserts, junk mail, office paper, book pages, chipboard boxes (empty and flattened), single magazines, catalogs or phone books in brown grocery bags. Magazines, catalogs or phone books may be tied up to twelve-inch stacks. Break down and tie corrugated cardboard 30 inches square maximum. No plastic bags are recyclable.
C. 
Items that will not be collected. Refer to the annual recycling informational brochure for the items the recyclable waste contractor will not collect.
D. 
Where. Put the recycling bin(s) at curbside, six to eight feet away from the regular trash containers.
E. 
When. Collection of recyclable waste in the Lex-Recycle bin occurs every other week, on the same day as the regular waste pickup. Consult the annual recycling informational brochure for calendar schedule.
F. 
When moving. The recycling bin should be turned in to the Public Works Department at 201 Bedford Street.
[Amended 7-10-2023]
A. 
Approved containers. Put all waste in approved containers only. Do not stuff containers beyond their capacity or have items protruding out of the top of the barrels. Cracked or broken containers that are empty will be collected as waste. All containers are used at the owner's risk. Approved containers include:
(1) 
Plastic bags that are at least 1.5 mils thick. The bags must not exceed three cubic feet (30 gallons) in content or 40 pounds in weight. The bags must be tightly sealed or tied.
(2) 
Metal containers should be watertight and rust-resistant and have handles and tight-fitting covers. The containers must not exceed three cubic feet (32 gallons) in content or 50 pounds in weight.
(3) 
Plastic barrels must be heat- and water-resistant and must have handles and tight-fitting covers. They must not exceed three cubic feet (32 gallons) in content or 50 pounds in weight. The waste contractor is not responsible for plastic containers that crack during cold weather.
B. 
Number of containers. The waste contractor will pick up a maximum of six approved containers per week, one bulky object (see Subsection D) and five bundles of branches over one inch in diameter (for preparation see Subsection E).
C. 
When moving. The regular waste contractor will pick up additional trash containers in excess of the maximums listed in Paragraph B when residents are moving or cleaning out basements, etc. Residents must call the contractor to notify them in advance of their regular collection day. The waste contractor does not make special pickups.
D. 
Bulky objects. Bulky objects will be collected at curbside on the day scheduled through the contractor. A bulky object is anything that will not fit into an approved container (Subsection A), such as a television set, automobile tire (without rim), storm door, lawn furniture, barbecue grill, mattress, box spring, rugs (cut in four-foot lengths, rolled and tied), etc.
E. 
Waste preparation. Follow these rules when preparing and putting out waste:
(1) 
Drain all liquids from food waste before putting it into the waste container.
(2) 
Wrap food waste securely in plastic bags, such as old bread or supermarket bags.
(3) 
Make sure no waste material protrudes above the top of the container.
(4) 
Window glass should be taped to prevent shattering.
(5) 
Keep waste containers in a sanitary condition, covered and/or tightly sealed.
(6) 
Cut tree branches and limbs no less than one inch and no more than four inches in diameter into three-foot lengths and tie in bundles. Bundles must not exceed 50 pounds in weight and 24 inches in diameter. Maximum of five bundles per pickup.
(7) 
Wooden objects such as picnic tables, fence parts and scrap wood should also be cut into three-foot lengths and tied in bundles.
(8) 
Scrap metal such as fence posts, railings, dismantled swing sets, aluminum ladders or lawn furniture should be broken down and securely tied before putting at curbside. Pickup will be scheduled through the waste contractor.
(9) 
Lawn mowers.
(10) 
Latex paint must be completely dried out (solidified) before placing in regular trash. Use kitty litter or a similar drying agent to speed up process.
(11) 
Oil-based paints with less than two inches of residue may also be dried out and disposed in trash.
F. 
Items that will not be collected by the waste contractor:
(1) 
Dead animals or animal waste.
(2) 
Hazardous waste products (see § 181-62 for description).
(3) 
Biological or infectious wastes, medicines and medical devices.
(4) 
Improperly packaged medical sharps.
(5) 
Automotive parts, such as batteries, body parts, engine blocks, fenders, frames, tire rims, gas tanks, transmissions, etc.
(6) 
Logs and tree stumps.
(7) 
Yard waste (see § 181-64 for disposal of yard waste).
(8) 
Any propane tank (for disposal, see § 181-62).
(9) 
Recyclable waste.
(10) 
Building and/or construction debris, e.g. wood, asphalt, concrete, etc. Building contractors are responsible for the proper disposal of all construction and building material or offer debris left from their work, such as wood, beams, shingles, plaster, asphalt, concrete, earth and gravel, etc. The Town of Lexington has no facilities for disposal of construction materials and the regular trash contractor will not remove it as residential waste. Please consult the Yellow Pages for disposal contractors.
(11) 
All other items prohibited by state or federal law or regulation.
G. 
Unacceptable containers. The waste contractor will not pick up waste in unacceptable containers. The Town of Lexington and the waste contractor assume no responsibility for waste that is not put out in approved containers (see Subsection A). Unacceptable containers include:
(1) 
Cardboard barrels, cartons and crates.
(2) 
Plastic bags other than those described under Subsection A.
(3) 
Containers without handles or lids.
(4) 
Containers with waste protruding above the top.
(5) 
Lawn carts or wheelbarrows.
(6) 
Oil drums.
(7) 
Open baskets or boxes.
(8) 
Paper bags.
[Amended 7-10-2023]
The Town of Lexington has joined with seven neighboring communities to address the problem of household hazardous products disposal. In order to keep these materials out of the waste stream and the environment, residents are encouraged to deposit them at the Minuteman Household Hazardous Products Facility on the scheduled event days. Some of the products that should be separated from your recyclable or regular trash are listed below. For proper disposal of any hazardous waste not listed below or listings of dates, contact the Board of Health.
A. 
Location. The Minuteman Household Hazardous Products Facility is located on Hartwell Avenue, at the site of the DPW Composting Operation and the former landfill. The entrance to the facility is located opposite Maguire Road on Hartwell Avenue.
B. 
Hours of operation. Collections occur on 10 Saturdays (at least once a month) from April to November. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Residents will receive an annual recycling informational brochure through the mail indicating the dates when the facility will be open, along with instructions for bringing the waste.
C. 
Products. Hazardous waste includes any products or materials that can be toxic (poisonous), corrosive, flammable or reactive (explosive). Collection events include but may not be limited to the following products. Consult the annual recycling informational brochure for up-to-date product listing and limits.
Cleaning Products
Bathroom cleaners
Drain openers
Oven cleaners
Metal or furniture polish
Spot removers
Automotive Products
Motor oil and oil filters
Brake or transmission fluids
Antifreeze
Solvents
Auto batteries
Polishes and wax
Pesticides
Weed killers
Fungicides and herbicides
Insecticides, pest strips
Fertilizers with weed killer
Wood preservatives
Rat poisons
Paint and Paint Products
Paint and Paint Thinners
Paint removers
Stains and varnishes
Epoxies and adhesives
Aerosol cans (with product)
Other Products
Batteries
Fluorescent lights
Thermostats
Driveway sealer
Pool chemicals
Hobby or photography chemicals
Propane tanks (up to 22 pounds)
Waste fuels (e.g., gasoline)
Do Not Bring
Explosives
Asbestos
Ammunition, fireworks
Commercial hazardous waste
Empty aerosol cans
Fire extinguishers
Gas cylinders
Infectious or biological wastes
Medicines or syringes
PCBs
Radioactive materials
Smoke detectors
Tires
[Amended 7-10-2023]
Refrigerators, stoves, microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters, air conditioners and dehumidifiers are collected curbside by appointment only at no additional charge. Doors must be removed from refrigerators. Collections are currently scheduled once a week. Call the waste contractor to schedule a pickup.
A. 
State solid waste management regulations prohibit the disposal of yard waste in landfills and incinerators. Lexington has developed several options for disposal of approved yard waste. Approved yard waste includes:
(1) 
Leaves.
(2) 
Grass clippings.
(3) 
Flower and vegetable plants.
(4) 
Wood chips.
(5) 
Pine chips.
(6) 
Pine needles.
(7) 
Hedge clippings.
(8) 
Brush one inch or less in diameter.
B. 
Yard waste curbside collection. Yard waste is collected at curbside during the spring and fall collection period in a separate truck by the regular waste contractor and transported to the Town compost site at the Hartwell Avenue Recycling Facility.
(1) 
Containers. Yard waste must be placed in open trash barrels or biodegradable paper bags and must not be mixed with regular trash. Yard waste in any other containers will not be collected.
(2) 
Where and when. Place yard waste (in open barrels or biodegradable paper bags sold by local merchants) containers curbside at least eight feet away from regular trash containers on the regular trash collection day during the three-week spring or ten-week fall collection period. Consult the annual recycling informational brochure or visit the DPW at www.lexingtonma.gov for exact collection dates. Yard waste placed at curbside prior to or after the yard waste curbside collection period will not be collected.
C. 
Town compost drop-off site. Residents may bring approved yard waste in any container to the Hartwell Avenue Recycling Facility across from Maguire Road. After the container is emptied, it must be removed from the area (biodegradable paper bags are the only exception to this rule).
(1) 
Hours. The recycling area is open for yard waste disposal from April to mid-December during the following hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is also open the Saturday before Easter Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed Easter Sunday and open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all Saturdays in November.
(2) 
Contractors employed by Town residents may also dispose of approved yard waste at the recycling area. Contractors must purchase a yard waste permit sticker during business hours at the DPW Operations Facility at 201 Bedford Street. Permit sticker fees are dependent upon the size of the vehicle. Contractors who do not obtain a permit or who provide false information will not be allowed to enter the area. Punch cards for occasional disposal of up to 10 yards (one-yard increments) of yard waste or for dumping brush from one inch to three inches in diameter are available for a fee as established by the Select Board.
D. 
Composted product available to residents. At the Recycling Facility, yard waste is composted, mixed with peat and loam, and used in park, cemetery, recreation and highway projects. Compost is also available in small amounts for home use at little or no cost to residents. Bring your own container.
[Amended 7-10-2023]
Residents may dispose of Christmas trees for the first two weeks of January by placing them curbside with their regular trash for collection and incineration. If recycling, please remove all foreign objects from tree: ornaments, tinsel, nails, wire, tacks, plastic bags, twine or rope. These items are dangerous to employees and equipment when trees are being chipped. No wreaths or roping may be recycled.
[Amended 7-10-2023]
Lexington has received a state grant from the Department of Environmental Protection to distribute home composting bins at a fee established by the Select Board. Purchase bins at the DPW at 201 Bedford Street and then pick them up at the Hartwell Avenue Dump during its business hours (Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). An information brochure is available from the Department of Public Works to make compost.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 181-67, Questions or suggestions, was deleted pursuant to the regulations adopted by the Select Board on 7-10-2023.