Curbside pick-up rules
What about curbside trash pick-up?
The following is a handout available from the Board of Health office or you may print it from here.
In order for your trash to be collected, you must:
Put your trash into trash bags and place the bags into barrels, preferably with the barrel cover on.
Make sure no trash bag overflows the top of the barrel. Bags placed anywhere other than completely IN the barrels WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.
Limit your trash to 4 barrels weighing no more than 50 pounds each.
Have your trash at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on trash day.
You are allowed one bulky item each week, i.e. a chair, mattress, etc.
Any items that are supposed to be taken to the recycling center (corrugated cardboard, plastic, etc.) will not be taken,
When you know in advance that you will have a large amount of trash due to cleaning, a party, moving, etc., please notify the Board of Health office before your next trash day and tell us:
how many extra barrels you will have,
your name,
your address,
your telephone number,
what day your trash is collected, and
come to the Board of Health office before your trash pick-up day to pick up special stickers to attach to your trash.
We will notify the company to pick up the extra items that day only.
Limit your special requests to no more than twice a year.
What if I have more bags than trash barrels?
If you have a party, a large clean-up, are moving or whatever reason, there are special stickers you may obtain. See the information in the instructions for trash pick-up in the box above. This may be done twice in one fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
Can I leave any large items at the curb?
You may leave one large item each week provided it doesn’t need to go to the recycling center. For example, a box spring and mattress can be put out with your trash on your regular trash day. A stove must be taken to the recycling center.
Will carpeting be taken at curbside?
If a professional installed your carpeting, the professional is to remove and dispose of the old carpeting at his place of disposal. No carpeting will be taken at curbside. You may take small amounts to the recycling center. There is a fee for disposal that will be collected at the recycling center. This disposal is allowed for Pembroke residents only. No contractors may dispose at the recycling center. .
I just replaced my deck. What do I do with the old wood?
If it was a professional job, removal and disposal is the responsibility of the contractor. No wood will be taken at curbside. You may take small amounts to the recycling center. There is a fee for disposal that will be collected at the recycling center. This disposal is allowed for Pembroke residents only. No contractors may dispose of demolition debris at the recycling center.
There is a lot of old paint in my shed. How can I dispose of it?
You can dispose of oil based paints at a Hazardous Waste Day (see below). Latex paint can be disposed of in the following manner:
Use a double layer of trash bags and pour kitty litter into the double layered trash bags.
Pour off as much latex paint into the litter as you can, secure the bag and put out with your regular trash.
Dry out the latex paint cans and dispose of in the metal pile at the Recycling Center.
What do I do with yard waste such as old shrubs, tree branches, and the like?
These items cannot be taken to the recycling center nor put out with the trash. In order to burn them, you must acquire a burning permit from the Fire Department. You may, however, bring grass clippings and leaves only to the compost bin at the recycling center.
What if there is a holiday during the week?
If a holiday falls on any weekday (Monday-Friday) either before or on your trash day, the trash will be collected a day later than your normal trash day.
What about snow or inclement weather?
If there is no school due to inclement weather, there is no trash pick up. Trash will be picked up a day later. In the case of a blizzard, hurricane or other situation where the roads are impassable or very difficult to maneuver about, trash will be collected at the first safe opportunity.
Where can I dispose of hazardous waste?
Each year, the Town of Pembroke holds a Hazardous Waste Day for Pembroke residents. In the past it has been held in late summer, but you may call the Board of Health at 781-293-2718 for the schedule.
What can I dispose of on Hazardous Waste Day?
The following materials are accepted at all events:
hobby/artist supplies, photography chemicals, fiberglass resins, adhesives, flammable liquids and aerosols, asbestos (double bagged and wetted),tire cleaners, transmission fluid, degreasers, carburetor cleaner, antifreeze, brake fluid, motor oil mixtures, marine and auto paints, wood preservatives, acids and bases, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, fertilizers containing pesticides, pool chemicals, cesspool cleaners, fluorescent lamps, mercury thermometers, thermostats, drain cleaners, moth balls and crystals, hazardous cleaners and polishes, poisons.
The following materials are accepted at many (but not all) events:
oil paint, motor oil, fluorescent tubes, propane tanks, TV’s & computer monitors, NiCd (rechargeable) and button batteries. The underlined items can also be taken to the recycling center. See listing above.
The following materials are not accepted:
industrial waste, radioactive materials (including smoke detectors), pathological and medical waste, pressurized gas cylinders (other than propane), lead acid (automotive) batteries, explosives.
Where can I call for more information on Hazardous Waste Day and other Recycling questions?
You may call the Pembroke Board of Health, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 781-293-2718.