Pawtucket teams checking trash and recycling bins. Will issue warnings and fines.

Pawtucket Department of Public Works Launches New Recycling & Bulky Waste Programs

Beginning in February, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin a new bulky waste program and a new recycling awareness program – where designated members of the DPW team will be monitoring recycling bins as well as bulky waste (trash items too large to fit in bins). 

“Our new recycling education and bulky waste programs have been in design for several months and we’re now ready to launch these teams and important campaigns,” said Pawtucket Public Works Business Manager Richard Karsulavitch. “Pawtucket has been seeing more and more rejected recycling loads. When a load is rejected, its weight counts against our municipal cap and we’re also charged an equipment usage fee of $250 per truck. As for bulky waste, we have noticed more large items such as mattresses, televisions, air conditioners, etc. on our streets without proper notification. Not only are these items left on the curb unattractive, but they can also be unsafe to cars and pedestrians.” 

Both programs will begin in February, with warnings to be issued to residents in violation throughout the entire month. Strict enforcement will begin starting in March.  

Recycling and bulky waste program information is below:

Recycling Program:

Beginning on Monday, February 6th, the Public Works Recycling Team will be out every recycling day checking bins throughout the city. The new campaign is designed to inform residents about improper waste items, such as plastic bags, trash, yard waste, and Styrofoam, improperly being placed in recycling bins, which has led to an increased rate of rejected loads.

For the month of February 2023, the DPW Recycling Team will be providing warnings to all residents that have non-recyclable items in their carts. If a resident receives an orange sticker warning it will explain what needs to be corrected and to put the cart back out the following recycling week. A decal showing what can be properly recycled will also be attached to recycling bins.

Starting in March of 2023, DPW will begin following Pawtucket City Ordinance 347-48 by issuing documented warnings for first violations and then moving to progressive fines in accordance with the ordinance. 

Recycling Program Timeline:

• Warning Period – February 6 – 10 & February 21 – 24
• Violations Begin – March 6 – 10 & March 20 – 24 

Bulky Waste Program:

Beginning on Monday, February 13th, the Public Works Bulky Waste Team will be out every regular trash day (non-recycling weeks) checking for illegal curbside trash throughout the city. The new campaign is designed to clean up the city and keep residents safe. Residents will need to call the Department of Public Works for these larger trash items in order to be picked up. 

For the month of February 2023, the DPW Bulky Waste Team will be providing warnings to all residents that have placed trash illegally on the curb. 

Starting in March of 2023, DPW will begin issuing progressive fines in accordance with Pawtucket City Ordinance 347-14.1 and 347-18 

Fines

For the recycling program – DPW will issue documented warnings for first violations and then moving to progressive fines starting at $50.00 up to $500.00 for each violation.

For the bulky waste program – DPW will issue a fine of $200.00 for the first violation, $300.00 for the second violation, and $500.00 for each subsequent violation.

To Schedule Pickup: 

For bulky waste pickup, residents must schedule an appointment. To schedule pick up, please email [email protected]. Bulky waste items cannot be put out curbside until the night prior to your scheduled pick-up date.

Bulky Waste Program Timeline:

• Warning Period – February 13 – 17 & February 27 – March 3
• Violations Begin – March 13 – 17 & March 27 – 31 

___