How Does The Recent Recycling Update Change The Way Residents Recycle?

Question: How should you be recycling now in Tewksbury?

Answer: You no longer need to separate paper and cardboard from glass, metal and plastic. All recyclable items can be placed in one container. The Recycling Committee has been discussing single-stream recycling for about five years in hopes that it would make recycling easier so more residents would take part, said vice chairperson Sandra Barbeau.

You can recycle everything you always have, including aluminum cans, bottles and glass, clear plastics 1-7, newspapers, magazines, phone books, office paper and mail. Cardboard must be flattened, and these items are trash: pizza boxes, pie plates, aluminum foil, plastic bags, items contaminated with food debris, such as milk, ice cream or juice boxes and Styrofoam. 

Your recycled items cannot way more than 50 pounds each pickup, and you should use your own receptacle. More detailed instructions and the schedule are available online.