Westwood’s Recycling Audit Underway as Town Measures Contamination

As of Monday, October 5, and through October 26, a recycling audit is underway for the Town of Westwood, to help determine the contamination rate in the town's curbside recycling. The contamination rate will  help inform the town whether it could be subject to a financial penalty.

Contamination levels above the 10 percent threshold are subject to a financial penalty from the town's recycling facility.  As of October 2023, Westwood’s contamination rate was 17.6 percent.

"During this time period, it is critical that residents do not place any contaminants in recycling barrels," the town urged residents in a press release. "Every household plays an important role in keeping Westwood’s recycling stream clean," say town officials.

"Please take an extra few moments before placing something in your recycling barrel to determine if it is an accepted recyclable material," reads the town's announcement. "By keeping non-recyclable items out of the recycling stream, you will help protect the quality of our recycling, reduce contamination, and help Westwood to avoid unnecessary costs."

As part of the audit, Westwood’s recycling processing facility will collect samples from inbound recycling loads from the town. The samples will be hand-sorted and analyzed to determine what percentage of the loads contains items that do not belong in the recycling stream.

The results of the audit will provide the town with information about its current recycling practices, including where additional education and outreach may be needed.

Residents can find out whether an item belongs in recycling or trash by using the town's Recyclopedia reference at https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/public-works/recycling-waste-management/recyclopedia.

Thanks to the Town of Westwood for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.

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