INFORMATION ABOUT PAY-AS-YOU-THROW PROGRAM, RECYCLING, YARD WASTE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DAYS

PAY-AS-YOU-THROW
On October 6, 2008, the City of Malden instituted a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program for households up to six units.  All household trash must be disposed of in special City of Malden trash bags. The bags are sold at several local stores and establishments and are available in three sizes:  a box of 10 33-gallon bags for $20;  a box of 10 15-gallon bags for $10; or a box of 5 8-gallon bags for $2.50

WHERE CAN I BUY THE PAYT BAGS?

Under the PAYT program, recyclables and yard waste will continue to be collected at no additional cost. (Recyclables are picked up weekly; yard waste pick-up is on a seasonal schedule--visit the City of Malden official website for more information).

The PAYT program is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection because those who recycle more will pay less to dispose of their trash. Under the PAYT program, all Malden residents, not just homeowners, who use the City’s trash service, will be charged the same. Since the inception of the PAYT program, Malden's recycling tonnage has increased by 75%. 

Why PAYT in Malden and Who Must Participate? After much deliberation and knowing full well that additional fees or taxes of any sort are difficult to absorb, the City of Malden voted to institute the program in an effort to help balance the Fiscal Year 2009 municipal budget. The budget also calls for City employees to pay more for healthcare costs and for the use of the City’s “rainy day” funds to make the budget work.  The PAYT program affects persons living in housing of up to six units. Persons who live in residential complexes larger than six units are required to participate in Malden’s commercial PAYT program, which was implemented in 2000, or opt to have their trash picked up by a private vendor.

For questions or concerns about PAYT, contact the PAYT hotline  781-397-1525.

WHITE GOODS

(Curbside or drop-off) These include refrigerators (remove doors), washers, dryers, air conditioners, dishwashers. Stickers cost $20 each and must be purchased in advance from the DPW, 356 Commercial Sreet, the City Clerk's Office, 200 Pleasant Street or the City Treasurer-Collector's Office, 200 Pleasant Street.

BULK ITEMS

The City picks up (curbside) one bulk item per property per week for free.  

ELECTRONICS

TVs, computers, monitors - $5 per item.  No curbside pickup - must bring item to DPW, 356 Commercial Street Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

THE CITY WILL NOT COLLECT:

• hazardous materials 
• auto parts or machinery
• demolition/construction debris
• dead domestic animals
• tree limbs, trunks or roots that are more than 4 inches in diameter

RECYCLE MORE, PAY LESS!

The PAYT Program encourages recycling. The City picks up recycling at the curb on a weekly basis.  The City accepts all of the following items for recycling:

--Plastic (number 1-7)
--Glass
--Metal or aluminum cans
--Cardboard*
--Newspaper*
--Paper* 

*Cardboard, newspaper and paper must be separated from other recyclables.  

Recycling bins may be purchased from the Department of Public Works for $5 each. Damaged bins may be turned in for free replacement.

HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAYS

The following is a list of items designated "hazardous" under Department of Environmental Protection guidelines:

--Tires
--Automotive Batteries
--Nickel Cadmium Batteries
--Any oil based product, including paint, gasoline, kerosene and motor oil
--Cathode Ray Tubes, including televisions and computer monitors
--VCRs and tape decks
--Fluorescent light bulbs

These items must be disposed of on a Hazardous Waste Recycling Day conducted on a quarterly basis by the DPW.  For additional information, call the Department of Public Works (781 397-7160 or check the City of Malden web site for hazardous waste collection days. 

Click here to view Solid Waste Management Ordinances

Yard waste must be placed curbside on your scheduled pick up day in brown paper bags or in barrels marked “yard waste” and must be separated from regular rubbish. Yard waste that will be accepted includes leaves, grass clippings and twigs. No branches, logs or dirt will be picked up.

Malden residents can also bring yard waste to the DPW City Yards at 356 Commercial Street between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday. No plastic bags will be accepted.

For more information, contact the Malden Department of Public Works (781) 397-7160.