The Town of Needham and Needham Public Works has announced that changes to the Needham Recycling and Transfer Station have gone into effect in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Some town services have been impacted as the town follows social distancing guidelines and reduces staff at town facilities to essential workers only. To continue to provide critical services under these conditions and protect the health and safety of workers and patrons, the RTS is implementing the following changes:
The number of vehicles that may enter the RTS at any one time will be limited. No more than 18 vehicles will be allowed in the trash/recycling area at once. No more than six vehicles will be allowed in the yard waste area at once; There will be two lanes of traffic to enter the RTS – one lane to the left will be for vehicles going straight to yard waste. The right lane will be for residents disposing of trash and recyclables; Bulky waste will no longer be accepted until resumption of normal business. Bulky waste are objects too big to fit in the yellow Pay As You Throw bags (items cleaned out from basements and garages for example); No trash can be disposed of without being placed first in a yellow bag; Contractors will not be allowed to utilize the RTS on Saturdays until the resumption of normal business. There are no exceptions to this; Residents are encouraged to visit the RTS during non-peak hours. Saturdays continue to be very busy, making social distancing a challenge. If you can deliver your waste on other days, that would be appreciated; In addition, the Swap Shop, donation bins, Goodwill Trailer and drop-off area for scrap metal, tires, refrigerators/air conditioners, and TVs and computers remain closed.
Residents who need yellow bags to drop their trash at the RTS have options for purchasing the bags while practicing social distancing. In addition to purchasing bags in-store, the following retailers are making additional accommodations:
Harvey’s Hardware – bags available via curbside pickup; Roche Bros Supermarket – bags available via delivery; Sudbury Farms – bags available via delivery; Volante Farms – bags available curbside for high risk individuals.
