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1. My trash was not picked up. What should I do?

Recycling is mandatory for trash pickup, so both must be at the curb by 6 AM. Also, make sure your trash is bagged and/or you haven't exceeded the one-barrel limit. 

If it's your usual trash day (and not a holiday), call the DPW at 978-356-6612. If it's a holiday week, your trash and recycling must be at the curb the following day by 6 AM.   

If you exceeded the one-barrel limit and did not put your extra trash in an official overthrow bag, you can purchase overthrow bags at the following stores in Ipswich: Aubuchon, Conley's Drug, Cumberland Farms, DJ's Variety, Richdale, Shaw's and Tedford's. Please remember that trash bags cannot weigh more than 50 pounds each.

2. Why is trash limited to one barrel in Ipswich?

Using overthrow bags for more than one barrel of trash benefits those who throw away only a little while offering a way for those who throw away more to pay their fair share.

The cost of disposing of our trash in 2009 was $97 per ton for the nearly 4,000 tons of trash Ipswich generated annually. The first year of the one-barrel limit reduced trash by 161 tons and by 2018 Ipswich reduced trash to 2,847 tons!

3. How does the Waste Reduction Program work?

The Waste Reduction Program, in effect since July 1, 2010, limits trash to 35 gallons per week per household and is collected at no charge (maximum volume of 35 gallons and maximum weight of 50 pounds). Excess trash must be disposed of in overthrow bags, Ipswich’s official trash bags.

Overthrow bags should be placed on top of or next to the first free bag/barrel. Overthrow bags can be purchased at Aubuchon, Conley’s Drug, Cumberland Farms, DJ's Variety, Richdale, Shaw’s and Tedford’s.

4. How much do the Ipswich Overthrow Bags cost?

Ipswich’s official Overthrow Bags cost $2 per bag and are sold in a 5-bag pack for $10. These bags are necessary only when you dispose of trash in excess of one 35-gallon bag or barrel per week.

Please remember that all trash needs to be in a bag. Overthrow bags should be placed on top of or next to the first free bag/barrel.

Overthrow bags can be purchased at Aubuchon, Conley's Drug, Cumberland Farms, DJ's Variety, Richdale, Shaw's and Tedford's.

5. Where can I purchase these special Overthrow Bags?

Ipswich’s official Overthrow Bags cost $2 per bag and are sold in a 5-bag pack for $10 at these locations: Aubuchon, Conley's Drug, Cumberland Farms, DJ's Variety, Richdale, Shaw's and Tedford's.

6. Why do I need to pay so much for these special bags? A regular bag costs less money.

The special bags include the disposal price for your extra trash. Any trash in excess of the one-barrel limit must be placed in these special bags or it cannot be picked up.

7. What if I live in a multifamily home?

Label your barrel with your street number and unit number to avoid confusion. Each unit is allowed one free 35-gallon bag or barrel. Free labels are available at the DPW office (town hall, second floor).

8. Is there a weekly recycling limit?

Residents may put out unlimited recycling of accepted items, although the filled bin and/or container cannot exceed 50 pounds. Ipswich participates in single-stream recycling, so all recycling can be placed in the same container. Remember to recycle everything allowed. 

Large quantities of cardboard (emptied and flattened) should be brought to the cardboard dumpster at the DPW yard (100 County Road) at your convenience or to the transfer station (180 Town Farm Road) on Wednesdays or Saturdays from 8 AM to 3:30 PM.

Please call the DPW (978-356-6612) in advance if you will be putting out large quantities of recycling so we can alert the recycling crew.

9. How will I dispose of sofas, mattresses or other large items that won’t fit into a bag?

Purchase a bulky item sticker ($10) from Conley’s Drug, Cumberland Farms (Central Street location only), DJ’s Variety, Richdale, Shaw’s or Tedford’s. 

You may put out one stickered bulky item per week on your usual trash day. Carpet from ONE room must be cut into 4-foot widths and rolled up. 

Electronics can be recycled curbside with the purchase of a $25 sticker, obtained from JRM by calling 978-536-2500. Many electronics items can be recycled at Best Buy or Staples (call first).

Additionally, electronics recycling events are held every May and September.

10. Does this program cost me more money?

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 hauling service to all households and allows the first bag or barrel to be collected at no charge. 

By recycling items at the curb, most residents are able to fit all of their trash into the one free container each week and experience little or no additional cost. 

11. Do other cities and towns have Waste Reduction Programs (WRP)?

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.

12. Do residents in other municipalities like WRP?

In every municipality where WRP is proposed, some residents feel certain that they won’t like the program. However, once residents experience the program in action, they often come to support the program due to its inherent fairness and cost savings.

13. What can residents do to make this program work?

• Recycle all items accepted through our curbside collection program, to the maximum extent possible.
• Bring other accepted items to the transfer station.
• Donate reusable items.
• Join the curbside composting program.
• Consider disposal issues before making purchases – choose items with less packaging or decide if/when you can avoid making a purchase.

14. Whom can I contact if I have any questions?

Contact the Department of Public Works by phone at 978-356-6612 or by email.