As Marblehead prepares to transition to a new trash and recycling contract July 1 featuring automated collection, residents are searching for ways to dispose of — or repurpose — their old trash and recycling barrels, which will no longer be compatible with the new system.
Over the past several weeks, the town has delivered 16,000 new trash and recycling carts to homes and businesses.
Residents with Transfer Station access stickers may bring their old barrels to the facility, where there’s a designated area for large plastic items.
The growing number of discarded containers has raised concerns among some residents about the environmental impact of sending thousands of plastic barrels to the waste stream.
In response, Sustainable Marblehead has released a graphic highlighting ways residents can give their old barrels a second life. Suggested uses include:
• Backyard composter
• Yard waste container
• Rain barrel
• Deep-root planter
• Sports equipment storage
• Firewood storage
“Our advice to the community is to look through the list and see if any of these will work for you before you throw out your bin at the Transfer Station,” Sustainable Marblehead Director Elaine Leahy told the Current.
She continued, “There are so many ways they can be repurposed. We have also been told that the strong, circular bins without wheels are more sought after by contractors and landscapers, so if you do dispose of these, see if you can put them aside at the Transfer Station for some of these contractors to pick them up.”
Resident Ann Murphy has also created a Facebook page (Marblehead MA Trash Recycling Barrel Swap) that connects residents looking to get rid of barrels with people who may be able to use them.
The Current contacted the Health Department for additional suggestions but did not receive a response.
Board of Health member Tom McMahon held a forum to answer questions about the new trash system on Sunday, but barred reporters.
