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The cost of disposing of our trash in 2009 was $97 per ton for the nearly 4,000 tons of trash we generated annually. The first year of the WRP reduced the amount of trash by 161 tons, and by 2017 Ipswich reduced trash to 2,922 tons! Switching to bags benefits those who throw away a little while encouraging others to recycle more and offering a way for those who throw away a lot to pay their fair share.
The Waste Reduction Program reduces solid waste management costs for the town, which allows your tax dollars to be spent on roads, safety and education. It also provides an incentive to increase recycling and waste diversion, and it’s a more equitable system for sharing costs.
The program, in effect since July 1, 2010, limits trash to 35 gallons per week per household. With this Waste Reduction Program, the first bag or barrel of trash will be collected at no charge (maximum volume 35 gallons/maximum weight 50 pounds). Excess trash can be disposed of in overthrow bags, Ipswich’s official Waste-Reduction-Program trash bags. Overthrow bags should be placed on top or next to the first free bag/barrel.
Ipswich’s official overthrow/WRP bags cost $2 per bag and are sold in packs of 5 bags. These bags are necessary only when you dispose of trash in excess of one 35-gallon bag or barrel per week.
The special bags include the hauling price for picking up your extra trash. Any trash in excess of the one-barrel limit must be placed in these special bags or it will not be picked up.
Aubuchon Hardware, Conley's Drug, Cumberland Farms (both), DJ’s Variety, Richdale, Shaw's and Tedford's sell these bags.
Label your barrel with your street number and unit number to avoid confusion.
If you did not have your trash at the curb by 6 AM or if you exceeded the one-barrel limit and did not put your extra trash in an overthrow bag, your trash will be left behind.
Purchase a bulk item sticker ($10) from Conley’s Drug, Cumberland Farms (Central Street location only), DJ’s Variety, Richdale, Shaw’s or Tedford’s. Carpet from ONE room must be cut into 4-foot sections and rolled up. Electronics can be recycled curbside with the purchase of a $25 sticker, obtained from JRM by calling 978-536-2500. Additionally, various electronic recycling events are held every May and September.
Animals are a concern with any trash bag or barrel. Trash should be put out by 6 AM on the day of your collection and official bags can be placed in a trash barrel.
The town regularly monitors areas that have historically had dumping issues. We encourage residents to report offenders and to engage the cooperation of their neighbors for success of the program.
Residents may put out unlimited recycling of accepted items. Please call the DPW (978-356-6612) in advance if you will be putting out exceptionally large quantities of recycling so we can alert the JRM driver. Ipswich participates in single-stream recycling, which means all recycling can be placed in one container. Cardboard boxes should be flattened and piled. Remember to recycle everything allowed. Recycling saves money and is good for the environment.
With this Waste Reduction Program, residents only pay for the excess amount of trash they generate after the first bag or barrel. Ipswich’s Waste Reduction Program provides a basic level of service to all households, allowing the first bag or barrel to be collected at no charge. Most residents are able to fit all of their trash into the one free container allowed each week, so most households experience little or no additional cost. Residents can save money by recycling all the materials that are accepted by the town’s recycling hauler and by bringing accepted items to the transfer station. More than 60% of Ipswich households put out only one barrel per week!
More than 130 municipalities in Massachusetts have either pay as you throw (PAYT) or WRP programs. In our region, neighboring communities (including Hamilton, Wenham and Topsfield) all have WRP programs in place.
Contact the Department of Public Works by phone at 978-356-6612 or by email.