Curbside Collection & Recycling

1. Place your barrel(s) out before 6 a.m. on collection day. Please note that material to be presented for collection cannot be placed at the curb more than 24 hours in advance of your scheduled collection date.

2. Keep the lid facing the street.

3. Make sure all items and material are placed inside the barrel(s).

4. Make sure the barrel(s) are at least 2 feet apart.

5. Obtain a permit either online (credit card) or in person (cash/check) at DPW or Town Hall, prior to scheduling a bulk pick-up.

6. Contact the Town or Paine's to change from 95-gallon barrel(s) to 65-gallon barrel(s) (single residences only)

7. Report missed collections to the Town or Paine's if the barrel(s) were placed out before 6 a.m. on collection day.

8. Contact the Town or Paine's if your barrels are damaged or stolen.

9. Use only barrels issued by the Town.

10. Remove barrel(s) within 24 hours after 6:00 a.m. of your scheduled collection day.

11. Make sure recycling items are placed in the blue recycling container, and regular household waste is placed in the green container.

1. Place any barrel(s) in the street.

2. Put explosives, automotive parts, animal remains, or biological, hazardous, liquid, radioactive, human or animal waste in your barrel.

3. Put leaves, grass clippings, brush and branches in your barrels. (brush and branches may be brought to the Recycling Center on Brixton Street after proper permits have been obtained)

4. Place hot ashes or coals into your barrels.

5. Paint, mark or otherwise damage your barrel(s). Remember you are responsible for your barrel(s) and any damage caused by you.

Introduction:
The Department of Public Works issues a single cart for refuse collection and a single cart for recycling material collection programs. Each town resident is responsible for materials placed in the carts and for routine maintenance such as keeping the carts clean, removing carts from the street or lane after being emptied to prevent damage, and storing carts in a safe place.

Rules for Trash Cart:

• Trash must be bagged and placed inside of the town-issued green cart. Trash cannot be loose inside the carts. Trash in cardboard boxes will not be picked up.
   
• Any Trash bag or loose items placed outside of the cart will not be picked up. Additional trash carts are available at full cost of collection and disposal plus a town added convenience fee.
   
• Do not overfill the cart or pack trash too tightly. Always keep your cart lid closed.
   
• Do not put garbage on top of the cart lid.
   
• Any damage to the trash cart or recycling carts by improper use or care will result in the property being billed for repair and/or replacement. Includes any damage by animals. It’s important to maintain carts in good working order.
   
• If your cart is lost or stolen, please call 860-561-8100. The town will replace the cart once at no cost to the resident or property owner; subsequent carts will be replaced for the cost of the cart.
   
• Seasonal yard waste and décor such as grass clippings, bush clippings, small brush, plants, sticks, hay/straw bales, pumpkins, squash, gourds, corn stalks/shucks and other organics shall not be place in the cart and shall be recycled at the town organic yard waste drop off center; annual permit required. Households that put prohibited items in their recycling cart will be skipped from collection.
   
• Do not put hot items such as charcoal/coals/ash/cooking oil in your cart. 
   
• Other items not allowed in the trash carts include, but not limited to: explosives/fireworks, radioactive materials, animal remains, paint, solvents, glue, car batteries, automotive parts, tires, acids, antifreeze, gasoline, gas cans, motor vehicle fluids, liquid propane gas tanks, chemicals all kinds, cooking oils, household hazardous waste, pesticides, medical waste, cement, sand, rocks, bricks, soil, infectious waste, poisons, asbestos, shellac, tar, tree stumps, tires, large amounts of remodeling or demolition materials (loose).
   

• Sharps/Needles must be properly disposed of by sealing them in rigid, puncture-resistant containers that you cannot see through (i.e. bleach or detergent bottles, coffee cans, etc) and labeled “DO NOT RECYCLE”. Reinforce with heavy-duty tape before throwing them in your household trash.

• Do not throw loose needles in trash, flush down toilet, place in soda cans, or put in recycling.

• Households that put prohibited items in their trash carts will be refused waste services, ticketed and/or fined.

Rules for Recycling Cart:

• Do NOT bag recyclables in plastic bags
   
• Curbside Recycling, using your town-issued Blue cart is mandatory in West Hartford. Recycling is picked-up every other week (as of July 1, 2019).  To check your collection week please visit Paine's website. 
   
• If your cart is lost or stolen, please call 860-561-8100. The town will replace the cart once at no cost to the resident or property owner; subsequent carts will be replaced for the cost of the cart.
   
• Items that can be recycled are: 
  • Household metal (cans made of steel, tin and aluminum)
  • Household plastics (See What's In What's Out)
  • Glass jars and bottles
  • Paper (junk mail, paperboard, newspaper, magazines, phone books, office paper)
  • Cardboard (see note)
     
• Do not put Styrofoam, garbage, compost, food, animal waste, electrical cords, tires, garden hoses, and film plastics or plastic bags in your recycling cart.  Households that put prohibited items in their recycling cart will be skipped from collection.
   
• Note: Cardboard boxes and other bulky recyclables must be broken down and placed in your recycling cart.  If broken down boxes and other items still will not fit in your recycle cart, they can be dropped off at the Public Works Recycling Center; annual permit required. Cardboard boxes and other recyclables that are not properly prepared or placed in the cart curbside will not be collected.
   
• No Film Plastics
   
• For additional recycling information go to CT's Department of Energy & Environmental Protection or call Public Works 860-561-8100.