Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, stickers are required to use the Stevens Street Recycling Center for yard waste drop-off.

Stickers are available at the Public Works Office Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drivers license and vehicle registration required (proof of residency in Stoneham). Passenger cars and pickup trucks only.

All containers must be clearly marked recycling and cannot exceed 50 pounds in weight per container. In the event that recyclables are not acceptable to be picked up, the contractor shall leave a slip to the resident explaining why.

Barrels (32 to 96 gallons) properly marked can be used for recycling. Recycling Stickers for the barrels are available at the Department of Public Works and the Town Hall Offices.

Bulk Items

1 bulk item per week less than 50 pounds can be picked up. For example, kitchen chairs, twin mattress/box spring, rugs and mats, one bundle rolled and tied in 3 foot lengths weighing less than 50 pounds. No bulk items 50 pounds or over.   No mattresses or box springs - Contact Casella Waste at 1-800-950-9293 to make arrangements for a curbside pickup (fees apply).

Contact the Town’s Trash Hauler, Casella Waste to make arrangements to pick up curbside (fees apply). You can call them at 1-800-950-9293 or visit their website.

White Goods

White goods (refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, microwaves, miscellaneous metal, etc.) are not accepted curbside. Those items may be disposed of at Stevens Street Recycling Center - A sticker for the vehicle and fees apply (permit required prior to being dropped off). Contact the DPW at 781-438-0760 Monday through Friday, 7:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., for further information.

Not Accepted in Trash but Can Be Dropped off at Stevens Street

A vehicle sticker is required to drop off the following:

• Cardboard larger than 4 feet by 4 feet
• Rigid Plastics (lawn chairs, children’s toys, small plastic buckets, etc.)
• Leaves, yard waste, grass clippings, brush, etc.
• Fluorescent lamps, ballasts, nickle-cadium and button batteries (permit required prior to being dropped off)
• Televisions and monitors, hard-drives/towers, printers/copiers, word processors, etc.  (permit & fees apply)

If your trash/recycling was not picked up, an orange sticker will be placed on the item(s) explaining why it was not collected. Please be advised, all rubbish and recycling must be curbside by 7 a.m. on day of collection. Any rubbish or recycling that was put out after 7 a.m. will not be picked up until the following scheduled pickup.

Please do not pull in your barrels or bins until both trash and recycling has been picked up. Remember, recycling is mandatory.

The Stevens Street Recycling Center, located on Stevens Street, has seasonal hours and all hours subject to change. Please go to the Department of Public Works under Government on the home page for up to date information.

The following items can be put out and must be placed in a recycling bin:

• Aluminum
• Books
• Envelopes
• Glass bottles/jars
• Magazines
• Milk and juice cartons
• Newspaper
• Office paper
• Paper bags
• Plastic containers
• Steel
• Tin

All of these items can now be co-mingled. Cardboard larger than 4 feet by 4 feet can be brought to the Stevens Street Recycling, a dumpster is available. Recycling sticker is required, no charge to dispose of the cardboard. All Styrofoam must be removed and is not accepted at Stevens Street Recycling Center. View the recycling handout (PDF) for more information.

Recyclables are picked up by the contractor, Casella Waste, every week on the same day as your trash effective June 30, 2014. If you are unsure of your trash and recycling schedule call Public Works at 781-438-0760 during normal business hours. For more information, view the recycling handout (PDF).

Your trash is picked up at curbside once each week by the contractor, Casella Waste; the collection day depends on where you live. If you don’t know which day, call Public Works at 781-438-0760. All trash must be placed at curbside by 7 a.m. on the pickup day, as the trucks will not return for any trash that was not already out.

Please be careful if you put trash out the night before, since animals may tear open bags or get into trash barrels during the night.

Any metal, steel or appliances can be disposed of at the Stevens Street Recycling Center for a fee. A recycling sticker and permit is required. 

Yard waste can be brought to the Stevens Street Recycling Center (when it is open). Branches must be cut to less than 4 to 6 six feet in length and less than 8 inches in diameter. Leaves, grass clippings, etc., must be in brown paper bags. If they are in plastic bags, you will be required to empty them out and take the plastic bag with you. Recycling sticker is required.

Empty and dried up latex cans of paint can be put out with your regular trash with the cover off. For information regarding oil base paint, paint thinner, household chemicals, etc., please visit the Department of Environmental Protection's website.

You may also contact the Lexington Department of Public Works Operations at 781-274-8300 at the Minuteman Hazardous Products Facility in Lexington. Visit their website for more information.

Fluorescent bulbs can be disposed of at the Stevens Street Recycling Center for no charge. Permit and sticker are required.

Motor oil is prohibited from disposal in regular rubbish. Please contact the Stoneham DPW for further information. 

Propane tanks are prohibited from disposal in regular rubbish. Contact the facility where the tanks were filled or please visit the Department of Environmental Protection's website for more information.

Tires are prohibited from disposal in regular rubbish. Contact the facility where the tires were purchased or please visit the Department of Environmental Protection's website for more information.