Tip: When in doubt, set it out.
It is highly recommended to bring your trash to the curb in the evening before your collection day, before you go to bed at night. Collection starts as early as 4:00 a.m. in some towns.
What are the different toter sizes that you offer?
The image below will give you a good frame of reference for the different sizes that we offer.
Recycling Questions
When and where are recyclables collected?
Put recyclables out every other week with your trash on collection day. It’s recommended to place the cart 4 feet from the trash can, mailbox, or any other obstruction.
Are recycling carts available in any other sizes than the 65 gallon cart?
96 gallon and 35 gallon carts are also available.
What can be recycled?
Place in the green cart:
- Clean food and beverage containers, including laundry detergent and shampoo bottles. They must be cleaned and rinsed.
- Paper: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, cereal boxes.
- Glass & metal food & beverage containers: must be cleaned and rinsed.
- Plastic containers: must be cleaned and rinsed.
- Cardboard: cut flat to fit loosely in container.
What can’t be recycled?
Do not recycle these items:
- Trash: household rubbish, food, foam egg cartons, ceramics, appliances, hangers, pots, pans, plant containers, garden tools, yard waste, grass clippings, leaves.
- Aerosol cans.
- Prescription drug containers.
- Sharps: knives, light bulbs, mirrors, syringes, needles (require special handling), window glass.
- Plastic bags: recycle at supermarket.
- Toxic Fluids: antifreeze, motor oil, household cleaners, pesticides, paint cans, batteries.
- Batteries can go in household trash. You can also contact your local Radio Shack regarding their battery recycling program.
- For both regular and fluorescent light bulbs, you can put them in your trash. Many Home Depot stores also offer light bulb recycling programs for unbroken bulbs; check with your local store first.
- See paint question below.
- Toys, sporting goods.
- CD’s, DVD’s.
- Certain paper items: phone books, ice cream cartons, Tyvek or similar envelopes, paper towels, food tainted paper plates, napkins or boxes, wax or plastic coated cardboard.
- Plastic bags.
- Bottle tops for plastic bottles and containers such as: bleach, detergent, fabric softener, milk, soda, water bottles, etc. Instead, put in household trash.
- Tops for glass jars such as spaghetti sauce, pickles, salsa, jelly, etc. Instead, put in household trash.
Schedule Questions
What’s the holiday schedule?
When in doubt, set it out, and always the night before. WMTC will be closed on major holidays. If your pick-up falls on one of these holidays, put your trash / recyclables out the following day.
What happens during inclement weather?
If the governor prohibits trucks from being on the road, we will not be collecting. Leave your trash out; we’ll catch up that day, or the following day.
What do I do with…?
What do I do with my bulky items and overage?
If you have an overflow of garbage bags, you can call the prior business day by 2:00 p.m. and schedule for the bags to be collected for a minimum fee. Monday routes must be called in by 2:00 p.m. on Friday. If the items are not bag-able, are furniture items, etc., you can call ahead and schedule a bulk pick up for a small minimum fee.
How do I handle my yard waste?
We do not collect yard waste; it is against CT state law to collect leaves, grass, branches, etc. If it’s only a few weeds or old flowers, those can be placed in your trash, a little at a time, weekly, so long as it is bagged. However, it is recommended that all yard waste is composted either at your home, or your transfer station. You can call the transfer station at: (860) 276-9439.
The Farmington Public Works Department collects leaves at curbside during the town wide Fall Curbside Service. For more information, call the Farmington Highway Department at 675-2550.
What do I do with paint?
How do I handle electronics, TV’s and microwaves?
Bulk collection, as long as the facility will accept it. Bulk collection also applies to carpets, propane tanks, and other electronics, but is subject to change. Each town offers a hazardous waste electronic collection of TV’s, monitors, etc.; this is typically once a year.
What should I do with my old tires or mattresses?
Tires can be collected with a bulk pick up. The tires must be rimless.
Do you take mattresses?
Mattresses qualify for bulk pick up.
How do I handle the disposal of trash from contracting projects, roofing materials, a major clean-out project, or a commercial business?
Waste Material Trucking Company offers dumpster rentals; click here for more information.
What do I do with concrete from a basketball pole, swing set, or concrete blocks?
Concrete cannot be collected; it is recommended to bury it in your yard.
Do I have to bag the garbage that goes in the trash container?
It is recommended to bag your garbage before placing in the container. This will reduce how often you will need to clean out and spray down the container. It will also prevent animals from being attracted to your trash. If residents bag their trash, this will also prevent loose debris and papers from flying into yards along your route when the wind picks up around the trucks.