I dropped by the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center on a recent Monday afternoon, shortly after they opened at 5PM and was pleased to see they were busy. I waited behind 4 cars as several more lined up behind me. To recycle a printer and several CFL light bulbs, I paid just $2. After I checked in and paid my fees, I drove a circuit along which are the areas where the different categories of items are collected. Others were recycling huge pieces of cardboard and a suede sectional couch. The reuse shop was also very busy – the parking lot was nearly full. Inside that building are rows packed with all kinds of items that are useful but no longer wanted by their previous owners. Among the rows, I saw kitchen electronics, luggage, christmas decorations, greeting cards, coffee mugs, roller blades, golf clubs, framed pictures, baskets, and packing bubble wrap. Donating is easy – just stop at the desk as you enter. I left empty-handed that day, but it’s nice to stop in and see what they have every once in a while. Being that busy, the stock probably changes often. It’s made me more motivated to do some spring cleaning and recycling, especially now that the weather’s taking a turn for the better.
Wachusett Region Recycling Events – 1/11/14
Happy New Year!
Not too many events coming up this month, but if you have excess holiday recyclables, these might be for you.
The Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center, 131 Raymond Huntington Highway, West Boylston, MA will be open from 9 to 11am every Tuesday, 2:30-4:30pm every Wednesday and from 8-11 on Saturday, January 18th. They accept a wide range items for recycling, including appliances, batteries, mercury thermometers, cardboard, plastics, and electronics. For more information, including which items will be collected for a fee and which are free, click here.
The West Boylston Boy Scout Troop 151 holds their redeemable bottle and can drive at the Major Edwards Elementary School, Crescent Street, West Boylston this Saturday, January 11th, from 10am-1pm. All bottles and cans that are returnable in Massachusetts are accepted. Though the weather is warming up, the Boy Scouts will empty the cans out of your trunk or back seat so you don’t have to get out of your warm car.
Wachusett Region Recycling Events – 12/14/13
The West Boylston Boy Scout Troop 151 is holding their monthly redeemable bottle and can drive at the Major Edwards Elementary school, Crescent Street, West Boylston this Saturday, December 14th from 10am to 1pm. All bottles and cans that are returnable in Massachusetts are accepted. And there’s no need for you to get out of your car. Very courteous Boy Scouts will take your cans and bottles and thank you in return.
Also on Saturday, December 14th, Worcester is holding its 12th annual gun buyback program. Guns must be unloaded and wrapped in a bag in order to be dropped off. The program is anonymous. All types of guns can be dropped off. They can be old or new, working or not. Gift certificates in the following amounts will be given in return: $75 for an automatic/semi-automatic weapon, $50 for handgun, $25 for a long gun. Non-working guns will not qualify for a gift certificate. Ammunition and gun accessories are also accepted.
The Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center is open on Tuesdays (9-11am), Wednesdays (2:30-4:30pm), and the 3rd Saturday of the month, December 21st, from 8 to 11am. They accept lots of items you may want to be getting rid of, such as tvs and other electronics, furniture, tires, and propane tanks. Check their website for what they accept for free and for a small fee.
Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores in Holden (160 Reservoir Street) and Northboro (261 West Main Street) are collecting unused packaged pet food that will be donated to the Worcester and Sterling animal shelters. Donations are accepted until December 23rd.
Wachusett Region Recycling Events – 12/7/13
It’s December and many of us are in the holiday mode of gift giving, holiday parties, and other activities. Remember to utilize the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center for your recycling needs. You may be cleaning out in anticipation of hosting parties, or have a lot of recyclables such as boxes and packing peanuts. Many items can be brought to the WWRRC for recycling on Tuesdays (9-11am), Wednesdays (2:30-4:30pm), and the 3rd Saturday of the month, December 21st. To recycle #6 foam like packing blocks and peanuts, call ReFoamIt at 508-864-8723 to schedule a drop off time at their Mohawk Drive, Leominster location.
Go to St. Richard’s Church, 4 Bridge St. Sterling, to recycle your unwanted electronics from 9am to 1pm this Saturday, December 7th. Any electronics and appliances will be accepted. Fees range from $5 to $25 (projection TVs). Appliances are $10. There’s no fee for cell phones, scrap metal, and car or truck batteries and scrap metal.
Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores in Holden (160 Reservoir Street) and Northboro (261 West Main Street) are collecting unused packaged pet food that will be donated to the Worcester and Sterling animal shelters. Donations are accepted until December 23rd.
The West Boylston Boy Scout Troop 151 typically holds their redeemable bottle and can drive at the Major Edwards Elementary school, Crescent Street, West Boylston on the second Saturday of the month, which would be the 14th. That is the date listed on their website. However, they have put their sign out on the town common noting that the collection is this Saturday, December 7th, from 10am-1pm. I’m inclined to think the collection is in fact on the 7th not the 14th. All bottles and cans that are returnable in Massachusetts are accepted. And there’s no need for you to get out of your car. Very courteous Boy Scouts will take your cans and bottles and thank you in return.
Donate your no longer needed winter coats to Jordan Furniture’s One Warm Coat program. Any coats that are in wearable condition are accepted. Your coat will be professionally dry cleaned at Anton’s Cleaners and donated to someone in need. Coats can be dropped off at any Anton’s Cleaners or Jordan’s Furniture location. Or donate to the Sheriff’s Winter Coat Drive. New or gently-used adult’s or children’s coats can be dropped of at Wachusett Mountain, the Fitchburg Office of Community Corrections at 19 Fairmont Place, the Gardner Museum, D’Ambrosio Eye Care of Gardner, Lancaster and Athol and Independent Cleaners of Fitchburg. Donations are accepted through the beginning of December.
Wachusett Region Recycling Events-1/19/13
The Holden Fire Explorers redeemable bottle and can collection will be held at the Holden Fire Annex (old fire headquarters) on Main Street, Holden, MA this Saturday, January 19th, from 9 am to noon.
During the month of January, you can erase your overdue book fines at the Gale Free Library in Holden with a donation of non-perishable food. Bring your library card and donation to the circulation desk and they will update your records. The value of your donation should be about the same as the book fine. This is only for overdue books. Lost or damaged books are not part of this collection event. See the town website for hours and directions.
WHEAT Community Services is looking for donations of warm winter items such as coats, hats, and gloves for adults, children, and infants. Donated items will be given to those in need. Donations can be dropped off at their thrift store, Hidden Treasures, 272 High St., Clinton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or at the WHEAT offices at 500 Main St., Clinton. WHEAT serves those in Bolton, Berlin, Clinton, Lancaster, and Sterling. Contact WHEAT at (978) 365-6349 for more information.
Cleaning up from the holiday season? The Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center is open every Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:30 and on Saturday, January 19th from 8 to 11am. Paper, cardboard, #6 packing blocks and packing peanuts that gifts came packaged in can be recycled for free. If you received a new cell phone, you can recycle your old one for free here too! Just remember to remove your personal information from the memory card. They accept lost of other items, some for a fee, so check out their website for more information.
Wachu-Recycle 