Q&A Regarding Curbside Trash Collection

Program Description, Management, and Cost

Q: Who manages the curbside trash and recycling program in Dunstable?

A: The Dunstable Board of Health (BOH). The BOH has contracted with a hauler to provide current transfer station users with curbside collection of trash and recycling at a price similar to the prior cost of a transfer station sticker.

Q: What hauler does the BOH contract with?

A: The Board of Health's contracted hauler is:

G.W. Shaw & Son, Inc.
(Referred to in this document as "Shaws")
124 Old Wilton Road
Greenville, NH 03048
Website: Click here.
Phone: 1-800-649-7419; (603) 878-4108

Q: Who should I call if I have questions or concerns?

A: For questions or concerns about the service offered, contact Shaws at 1-800-649-7419 or (603) 878-4108.

To sign up for the service or to purchase overflow bags contact the Board of Health at: (978) 649-4514 ext. 229, Tuesday 1:00pm to 4:00pm, or email: click here.

Q: What do I get from the new curbside program?  

A: Each participating household will receive 2 carts; a 35 gallon for weekly trash and a 64 gallon for recycling. Each week, trash and recycling will be picked up at the curb of each participating household.

Q: When will trash and recycling be picked up?

A: Trash and recycling should be put out curbside by 7:00am on Thursday each week.

Q: What will happen during holiday weeks?

A: If the following holidays fall on a Monday - Thursday, your trash will be picked up on Friday: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Q: Will I need to separate recyclable items into paper, plastic, glass, etc?

A: No. The recycling will be mixed recycling or "single-stream" meaning that all recyclable materials can be placed in the cart and no separation is necessary. Recycling must be clean. This means that the materials put in the recycle cart does not include any food waste, non-recyclable material or any hazardous waste.

Q: My home has an in-law apartment. Is this considered one household or two?

A. This depends on the amount of trash you produce. If your family can utilize the 35 gallon cart for both units then it will be one household. If you need another trash cart then you will be considered two households.

Q: What is a cart?

A: A cart is the large wheeled plastic container or "trash can" with a hinged lid that bags of trash or items for recycling are placed in.

Q: What is the program cost?

A: The cost will be $300 per year and will include a 2 carts (one for trash and one for recycling.)

Q: Is there a senior discount?

A: No. The $300/year rate is significantly less than the rate charged by private haulers in town. Private rates in Dunstable are currently as high as $456 per year.

Q: What if I can't afford to pay $300/year?

A: Please contact the Board of Health to discuss available options.

Q: Rather than paying for a full year at once, will residents be able to pay quarterly for the curbside program?

A: Due to limited staffing, the Board of Health is not planning to offer quarterly billing at this time. Any residents for whom an annual bill is a hardship, however, should contact the Board of Health.

Q: What if I sign up after the year has started (What if there is less than a full year left in this year's program)?

A: The cost of the program is pro-rated. This means that each month the cost to participate will drop by $25 until the new program year begins again.

Q: I've noticed that other haulers offer larger carts for trash. Why does the town program offer 35 gallon carts for trash?

A: Dunstable is participating in a state-wide effort to reduce the amount of trash to be disposed of through a variety of measures including increased recycling, composting and good consumer decision making. Less trash is better for our town, our state, and the environment as a whole.

Q: Can I hire my own hauler and choose not to participate in the town program?

A: Yes. This voluntary program was implemented to replace the transfer station as it closed. There is no obligation to participate.

Q: I have a private hauler that is charging me much more than $300/year. Can I join the Town's program instead?

A: Yes. All residents are welcome to participate.

Q: What if I have more trash than will fit in a 35 gallon cart?

A: Overflow bags (blue, 33-gallon capacity with drawstring closure and imprinted with the town logo) are available for a fee of $3.00 per bag. They will be available in rolls of 5 for $15. These bags are to be used for any trash that does not fit inside the cart with the lid closed. The bag fee is to cover the cost for the added disposal and added administration of the additional trash.

Q: Where can I purchase the overflow trash bags?

A: Overflow bags are available for purchase at the Town Hall.

Q: Can I put a transfer station sticker on a bag and use that for overflow?

A: No, the transfer station stickers have now expired.

Q: What will happen if Shaws refuses to pick up an item?

A: If trash or recyclables are not taken the driver will place a removable sticker on the item or cart informing the resident of the reason. Typical reasons are: excessive amount of trash (the cart is spilling over with trash and an overflow bag should have been used), contamination (food or hazardous waste is mixed in with recyclables) or a bulky item has been put out that requires a separate, scheduled pick up.

Q: How will the Town deal with illegal dumping?

A: The town will regularly monitor areas that have historically had dumping issues. We encourage residents to report offenders to the Board of Health.

Q: What can residents do to make this program work?

A: There are many ways that residents can support this program including:

• Participate in the curbside trash and recycle program being offered by the town. The more households that participate, the cheaper the annual rate will be.
• Make sure that the items you recycle are clean - do not put food waste into the recycle bin.
• Donate reusable items and take other actions to reduce waste.
• Compost at home your yard and food waste (no meat, no dairy).
• Participate in the Tyngsborough/Dunstable Household Hazardous Waste event, do not put hazards in the trash.
• Report illegal dumping.
• Think when you shop to reduce waste in first place.

Allowable Trash and Recycling

Q: What type of items can go in the trash cart?

A: Standard household trash, in a plastic trash bag, should be placed in the gray 35 gallon trash cart.

Q: What is NOT allowed in the trash cart?

A: Do not include any commercial waste, construction/demolition material, animal remains, yard waste, window glass, bulky items, auto parts or hazardous waste in the trash cart or overflow bags. Hazardous waste includes items such as: light bulbs, acrylic paint, auto fluids, tires, propane tanks, lighter fluid, rechargeable and button batteries, etc. For these items, contact the Board of Health for information on the next Hazardous Waste Collection Day.

Q: What items can go in the Recycle Cart?

A: Bottles and cans, plastic (#1-7) and paper, cardboard, glass, metal, aluminum and tin. Recycled materials must be clean meaning free of food waste. No sorting needed. Put all recyclable materials into the 64 gallon blue cart. 

Q: What items can NOT go in the Recycle Cart?

A: Do not include the following items in the recycle cart: windows, light bulbs, dishes, Pyrex, ceramics, pots or pans, aerosol cans, containers containing food waste, unmarked plastics (laundry baskets, chairs, toys), bubble wrap envelopes, foam packaging, bubble wrap, Styrofoam or plastic bags. Recycle plastic bags at the supermarket.

Q: What should I do if I'm not sure if an item can be included in the recycle cart?

A: A new website is now available where you can enter the item and see if it is recyclable: click here.

Q: Can pizza boxes be recycled?

A: Yes, pizza boxes are acceptable, just no pizza.

Q: If I have lots of cardboard, can I stack it outside the recycle cart?

A: Yes, just collapse all boxes and place in a neat stack next to the recycling container. Those with a large amount (such as families just moving in with lots of boxes) can trickle the cardboard out a little each week.

What to Do with Items That Can Not Go in the Trash or Recycling Cart

Q: What should I do with plastic bags?

A: Many plastic bags and films can be recycled at the supermarket. See the attached handout on plastic bag recycling or go to: Plastic Film Recycling.

Q: What is a bulk item?

A: Bulk waste items are defined as any item with weight or volume greater than those allowed in the trash cart or in an overflow bag. Bulk items must not be considered hazardous waste or recyclable (metal items, appliances and electronics). Examples of bulk waste items include furniture, carpet, mattresses, baby cribs, etc.

Q: How do I dispose of bulk/items that won't fit into a bag?

A: Bulk items can be collected at the curb by the hauler for a separate fee. Residents must make arrangement with Shaws directly by calling their customer service line at 1-800-649-7419 or (603) 878-4108.

Q: How much will it cost to have Shaws pick up a bulk item at my home?

A: Current bulk item disposal rates include the following:

Q: Do I need to be part of the Town curbside program to have Shaws pick up a bulky item at my home?

A: No, you do not need to participate in the curbside program to request a bulky item pick up. Any resident is welcome to call Shaws for arrangements.

Q: Where can I take items that won't fit in my trash cart or aren't allowed in the recycle cart?

A: There are several options including:

• "Recycle Your Reusables" event coming up from 9:00am to 2:00pm on October 20, 2018 where many, many items can be dropped off - most for free. They take things that can't be recycled anywhere else - including old tires, plastic bags, Styrofoam® and electronics (small cost). This event is being held at One Bemis Way, Shirley MA 01464. For more information please go to: Recycle Your Reusables.
• Groton Free Stuff: A free Yahoo group where area residents post items they are offering or looking for. This is a great way to have usable items get to area people that need them. See: Groton Free Stuff.
• The Tyngsboro/Dunstable Hazardous Waste Event: An annual drop off for hazardous items that cannot go in the trash.
• Other possible methods for disposal of these items include:
  • Compost your food scraps, yard waste and Christmas trees.
  • Dunstable residents may take appliances and electronics to the Groton transfer station in - call ahead to determine any fees that may be charged.
  • Donate items to places such as Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.
  • Utilize book and clothing drop off bins. Note: Many cloth items are shredded for use in other products, they do not need to be wearable.
  • Pick-up truck loads may go to the scale at the Devens Recycling Center. For more information: Devens Recycling Center.

Q: Is there any way to dispose of hazardous waste other than the Tyngsboro-Dunstable event?

A: Yes, the Dunstable Board of Health belongs to a group made up of several towns that allows each town to dispose of hazardous waste at their event for a fee. Please call the Board of Health at (978) 649-4514 ext. 229 for a list of those towns. There are also permanent, year-round hazardous waste collection sites in Sutton and Westfield. For more information, go to: NEDT Household Hazardous Products Collection Center.

Q: Will there still be a bulky item drop off event in town?

A: The BOH is looking into this topic. Please stay tuned for more information.

For any problems with Trash and Recycling and for Bulky Item Pickup call:
Shaw & Son at 1-800-649-7419 or
(603) 878-4108.