Mandatory Recycling Regulations

FAQs for Falmouth Businesses - March 2023

Why does Falmouth need “Mandatory Recycling”? This Mandatory Recycling Regulation reinforces compliance with, and gives Falmouth officials authority to enforce, the state “Waste Bans” at the local level. 

What are Waste Bans? Massachusetts bans many hazardous and recyclable materials from disposal in landfills or by incineration. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) introduced the first bans in 1990. Additional waste bans are phased in over time, along with the infrastructure to support recycling. 

Mass DEP Waste Ban Fact Sheet- https://www.falmouthma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14242/Waste-Ban-Facts

Do I have to follow the Mandatory Recycling Regulations? Yes. Everyone that lives, works, or plays in Falmouth is subject to these regulations, including every property owner, renter, or occupant of every dwelling unit in town. These regs also apply to every commercial, industrial, institutional, nonprofit, municipal, school property and activity (and/or any other non-residential entity) that generates solid waste or recycling within the Town of Falmouth.

According to Mass DEP, “Waste generators are responsible for ensuring that they do not contract for the disposal of banned items.” The Mandatory Recycling Guidelines are focused on the recyclable materials that the state already bans from disposal, such as plastic, metal, and glass containers.

NOTE: Organizers of special events of all sizes are also subject to these regulations.

Why do I need to recycle? Recycling helps our community reduce the amount of material disposed of in the Town of Bourne landfill, saving very limited and valuable landfill space for materials that cannot be recycled. Recycling also supports the recycling economy and allows for the reuse of materials.

Can I have my commercial Recycling picked up at the curb by the Town? No, curbside recycling (and trash) is limited to residential properties.

What if my commercial trash hauler won’t take my Recycling? Trash haulers working in Falmouth will be required to comply with these regulations beginning April 14, 2023. As part of their annual license renewal with the Board of Health, solid waste haulers must document that they offer recycling to their customers and must provide information to the Board of Health on the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where they take their customers’ recycling. I own a commercial building with a couple of apartments above.

Can my tenants put their Recyclables at the curb for Town pick-up? Apartments in commercial buildings are not eligible for municipal curbside service for trash or recycling. As the property owner, you are responsible for contracting trash and recycling collection service.

Can I take my Recycling to the Waste Management Facility myself? Yes, business owners and others who are not part of the Falmouth’s curbside collection program may haul their own recyclable materials to Falmouth’s Waste Management Facility (WMF) at 458 Thomas B. Landers Road. Recycling at the WMF will require purchase (in advance) of an annual sticker or a onetime one-day pass and incur a fee at the gate.

* Falmouth Residents or Small Business Owners bringing recyclable materials to the WMF must have a sticker or pay for a one-day pass and will be charged $2.50 / per each 32 Gallon quantity of material. To be accepted, materials must be clean, dry, and free of trash or other contaminants, and must not be left in plastic bags. (Program begins 04.10.23) * 

Please see the website for current fee information and hours of operation: https://www.falmouthma.gov/170/Waste-Management

Business/Commercial Generators of Recyclable Materials who choose to haul their own recyclable materials will need to file a RECYCLING SERVICE EXEMPTION FORM FOR COMMERCIAL GENERATORS with the Health Department.

• Download Exemption Form here https://www.falmouthma.gov/1400/Mandatory-Recycling-Regulations

Do I have to sort the recyclables from the trash thrown into the publicly accessible barrels outside my shop? No, these regulations acknowledge that publicly accessible receptacles in public spaces cannot always be monitored for contamination. Example: Receptacles in a parking lot outside of a convenience store will be exempt, as we acknowledge that business owners cannot be expected to sort materials that customers and members of the public dispose in them. However, it would be very helpful to encourage your patrons to use well-marked recycling receptacles inside your shop or restaurant.

What materials are considered Recyclable? Single-stream recyclables include the following clean, dry, and loose (do not bag) materials: • Recyclable paper, cardboard and paperboard (including pizza boxes) • Glass and metal containers • Plastic containers in all colors except black (i.e., drink bottles, consumer containers, etc.) Many other types of materials are banned from disposal but are not accepted in single-stream recycling.

Refer to the Town web pages (listed below) to find drop-off locations for recycling.

Other materials banned from disposal, but which may be dropped-off for recycling at the WMF, include: 

• Clothing and Textiles (use clothing/textile collection boxes at local schools or the WMF - no fee)
• Mattresses and Box Springs (WMF- fee required)
• Appliances (WMF- fee required)

Where can I learn how to recycle properly at my business?

• Mass DEP Guidance for Business Owners- fact-sheet-your-business-the-waste-bans/download
• Mass DEP Guidance for Property Managers- fact-sheet-property-managers-the-waste-bans/download
• Recycling Works- general https://recyclingworksma.com/
• Recycling Works- compliance https://recyclingworksma.com/waste-bans-and-compliance/
• Other Resources
  • Recycle Smart Massachusetts- https://recyclesmartma.org/.
  • Plastic Bag/Wrap Recycling Opportunities www.plasticfilmrecycling.org
  • Contact Recycling & Solid Waste Coordinator, Mary Ryther at mary.ryther@falmouthma.gov 
• See other Town of Falmouth recycling web pages in lefthand menu bar.
  • Recycle Information
  • Bulky & Hard To Recycle Materials
  • Textile Recycling
  • Fees for Special Items
  • Recycling at Special Events