SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Town of North Andover in Essex County, Massachusetts has officially kicked off its new recycling program effective 1st August, 2023. The program is being implemented in collaboration with Star Waste, with which the town has entered into a contract.
On account of a miscommunication between the recycling vendor and the North Andover Department of Public Works (DPW), new recycling tots were distributed to some residents in June this year, much ahead of schedule. The DPW has urged the vendor to halt further distribution of bins until the distribution of information about the new recycling program among residents is complete.
The town has been following a weekly recycling pickup schedule, which will now switch to a bi-weekly collection schedule. The change is based on the vendor’s proposal after assessing the volume of recyclables. The program offers recycling totes of two sizes- a bigger 96-gallon tote and a smaller 63-gallon tote for residents with less recyclables.
The town has been experiencing serious staffing issues to effectively run its recycling program. There has been worker shortage, especially shortage of licensed truck drivers, which also has influenced the DPW in implementing the new program.