Recycling
Recycling activities consist of: separating, collecting, packaging, selling, and delivering recyclable materials; developing new market sources and maximizing revenue opportunities; monitoring and promoting residential and commercial participation to increase the number of participants and the tonnage recycled; answering inquiries and providing information to residents and others about the recycling program; and controlling the quality of recyclable materials. The collection, processing, and sale of earth products, e.g. compost and woodgrindings, are included in the Earth Products program.
RDF on the Radio!
The Wellesley RDF received global recognition on a Public Radio International program. Click here for the program.
Accepted for Recycling
| Aluminum | Light Iron (bicycles, water heaters) |
| Appliances (freezers, refrigerators, etc) | Ink Jet Cartridges |
| Batteries (automotive, household) | Waste Oil |
| Cardboard | Cellular Phones and PDAs |
| Electronic Media | Propane Tanks |
| Eyeglasses | Metal (brass, copper) |
| Fluorescent Light Bulbs | Plastics |
| Glass (brown, green, clear) | Steel Cans |
| Paper (office paper, junk mail, newspaper) | Televisions and Computers |
| Paint |
Costs associated with recycling functions include labor, equipment, hardware, transportation, and promoting recycling. Funds for these costs come from tax dollars appropriated directly to the RDF by Town Meeting. All revenues earned through the Recycling Program are returned to the Town General Fund. In Fiscal Year 2016 the Recycling program returned approximately $400,000 to the Town General Fund.
Our recycling guide may be found here.