On March 7, I came home to find my yard littered with trash from four recycle toters that had blown over in the high winds — paper, plastic food containers, etc. I spent some time over the weekend picking it out of the garden and dragging it out from under my shrubs. I tried calling Public Utilities (twice) to see where the recycle trucks were, but they weren’t answering their phones, and my attempt to right one of the toters confirmed my suspicion that they were beyond my strength, even half full. The truck finally showed up a little after noon.
Do the toters not have catches or some way of locking the tops down so this won’t happen again, and if not, why not? We’ve had two or three very windy springs, and I’m not looking forward to a repeat performance. I don’t subscribe to Concord’s misbegotten system, so I can’t just put the stuff in my own toter.
For those wanting an alternative, here’s one courtesy of a knowledgeable neighbor: The Acton Transfer Station is a mile-and-a-half out on Route 2 west from the prison rotary. For $210 a year they will sell you a non-resident sticker that allows you to bring your trash (you have to go to them), your recyclables, yard waste, unwanted linens/clothes, and for a fee you can bring your bulk items, electronics, etc. Trash must be contained in blue ATS bags available at lots of places in Acton, and there are three sizes, priced accordingly. (The less you throw, the less you spend.) The place is clean and efficient, the people are nice, and they’re open five days a week. Because of them my trash was no part of the trashnado on Friday.
Christine Briggs
Belknap Street
