City of Amesbury Trash Guidelines

Recycling is Mandatory in Amesbury!

Please note: G. Mello Disposal Corporation will not pick up solid waste in barrels or bags that have recycling content in them. Please sort recyclables and place in recycling cart.

As part of our solid waste contract, Amesbury is required to pay a tipping fee or a per ton rate for all the trash residents of the City throw away. The City receives a cash rebate for all materials recycled. These changes mean you have a big role in controlling costs.

Please Do Your Part - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Contract Coverage

The contract covers residential units up to 6 per building and businesses in the Central Business District (CBD). We cover the businesses in the downtown due to the limited space available for individual secured dumpsters as required by regulation. The downtown, our CBD, is still limited to 3 barrels or 5 bags per pick-up and must be put out by 6:30 am. If you are not covered by the Municipal contract you may contract with Mello or Waste Management or other contractor you choose for pickups to cover your needs.

The Central Business District is comprised of:

Friend Street - from Main Street to Town Hall
School Street - from Town Hall to the lights at the intersection of Main Street and Sparhawk Street
Main Street - from Institution for Savings to the center of downtown
Market Street - from Provident Bank to Cedar Street
High Street - from Main Street - Lafayette Bowling Alley/Hard Nock Gym, 1 Stop
Pond Street - from Friend Street to Vermette's, 1 Stop
Elm Street - from center of downtown (Main Street ) to Drew's Tire

Amesbury Central Business District - Recycling and Solid Waste Collection Day

Solid waste will be collected on Tuesday and Friday and recycling will be collected on Friday. Items will not be allowed on the street other than these two days each week. Please do not hesitate to contact the Public Works Department if you have any questions, 978-388-8116.

Trash and recycling to be delayed one day, to include a Saturday pickup:

New Year's Day
Memorial Day
July 4th, Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Please note: G. Mello does not take all Massachusetts holidays. Be sure to check the calendar on the Trash and Recycling Flyer (PDF).

Barrel / Bag Limit Per Household

The limit will be strictly enforced. Each family or household (meaning apartment, condo unit, single family house, etc.) may put out no more than 3 32 gallon barrels or the equivalent of 5 (96 gallon) bags per week. The barrels must be no larger than 35 gallons each, and weigh no more than 50 pounds. There are many residents that have larger barrels than 35 gallons. Please know that when the limit is reached additional trash will need a $5 bulk sticker for each bag or container (depending on the size).

Bulk Item Stickers Needed for Pickup

The trash company will take one bulk item per week with a bulk item sticker, excluding appliances, demolition/construction material, outside equipment, furniture or toys and white goods, from residents that currently have trash and recycling curbside collection with G. Mello. Bulk items shall include, but not be limited to, the following types of items: any large non-metal household items, such as a mattress, box spring, furniture, rugs or carpet equal to one room, (rolled and cut into four-foot sections and tied) and single items such as a toilet or sink, a cabinet. Bulk stickers can be purchased at the Public Works Department, 39 South Hunt Road, for $5 each.

Compost Facility

The City's Compost Facility is also open from April 2 to December 6, 2015 for yard waste disposal. A Compost Sticker is required to use the Facility. For more information about hours of operation or purchasing a sticker, view the Compost Facility page or contact the Department of Public Works.

Curbside White Goods Collection

Amesbury offers curbside white goods collection for Residents that currently have City Curbside Collection through G.Mello. Residents may dispose of appliances such as:

Air conditioners
Dehumidifiers
Dishwashers
Double ovens
Dryers
Freezers
Refrigerators (with door removed)
Stack laundry units
Stove/range
Washers
Water heaters
Other light iron goods curbside with the purchase of a white goods collection sticker

Stickers may be purchased through the Department of Public Works and will cost $30 for items with Freon (e.g.: air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, etc.) and $20 for all other white goods. Collection will occur every other month. Items without a white goods sticker will not be collected.

White goods do not include: gas tanks, propane or freon tanks, 55-gallon drums or ammunition. Please remember to remove refrigerator and stove doors prior to placing them curbside.

Caution: Do not damage refrigerant tubing or release freon into the air. Damaged items will not be taken.

Curbside Bagged Leaf Collection

Collections only take place in the fall. View the calendar for dates. Place leaves and grass clippings in brown leaf bags or loose in a marked barrel. Bags must be at the curb by 6:30 am and contain only leaves and grass clippings.

Tree Disposal

Christmas trees will only be collected on certain dates - check the trash and recycling flyer. Trees must be out by 6:30 am. Please be sure that the trees are not stuck to ice or snow on the morning of pick up or they will not be taken by the disposal company. Thank you for your cooperation.

Construction Material

Construction Material can not be picked up curbside. This includes residential and commercial dumpsters. Options for disposal of construction material are:

Deliver material to G. Mello Transfer Station in Georgetown, Massachusetts. Fee applies.
Phone: 978-352-9948
Require your contractor to dispose of these materials as part of the work being done.
Hire a private disposal contractor, many are listed in the local yellow pages.
Contact a local salvage/scrap metal company.
G. Mello has dumpsters to rent for construction material, move-outs, etc.
Phone: 978-352-8581
Purchase a WM Bagster Dumpster from Lowe's Home Improvement or Home Depot. On-site waste removal solution. Fill the bag with up to 3,300 pounds of debris or waste then schedule a pick-up with Waste Management.
Phone: 877-789-2247

Further Information

View our How Do I Dispose Of... page for more items!