LYNNFIELD — All town households will be limited to three 32-gallon bags or barrels of trash for collection each week starting Monday, Sept. 11.
“Lynnfield, for whatever reason, had a seven-barrel limit for many years, which is by far the highest amount allowed any place on the North Shore,” Director of Public Works John Tomasz said. “Most towns are down to 3-4, maybe 5, so we just felt that we had to kind of get more in line with what our neighbors were doing.”
Peabody and Lynn have a household limit of three and two 32-gallon barrels, respectively. Marblehead allows two 35-gallon barrels or one 70-gallon barrel and Nahant permits two 32-gallon barrels. Both Swampscott and Saugus allow only one 35-gallon barrel. All extra trash has to be placed in a single bag over the barrel.
The Select Board approved this change during a June 2023 meeting. During that meeting, Town Administrator Rob Dolan emphasized that the town’s goal is to “increase recycling and decrease trash.” The board then unanimously voted to change the limit from seven barrels to three.
To fend off problems like dumping and overuse, the board decided to keep a recycling container inside the Recycling Yard fence at Town Hall.
Tomasz said the change will help the town reduce disposal costs and assist with environmental preservation efforts. He added that it is easier to recycle than to find ways to burn or bury waste.
“The cost to dispose of trash is more than the cost of getting rid of recyclables,” Tomasz said. “So the more we can divert from trash to recycling, there will be more savings for us. It also encourages people to think more about recycling and composting.”
Tomasz said he believes that the town will adapt to this change and follow the new barrel limit.
“I think most of the residents will have no trouble at all with three barrels or less because that’s what they are doing right now too,” Tomasz said. “But there will definitely be some residents who will not like it. It’s an ongoing process.”
