You can help to protect our natural resources by recycling. As an example let’s focus on trees, which are used to make virgin paper. Think of every piece of paper as a branch. Recycling your newspaper, magazines and phone books can save trees when the recycled material is turned into pulp, which is then used to make paper. Trees are important in mitigating global climate change because they absorb carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, as has been found by many scientists, the effect is global climate change. Recycling leaves more trees to absorb carbon dioxide, and they beautify our country.

Paper and other recyclables you have in your home should be thought of as valuable commodities. In addition to paper, plastics and cans can be used to produce plastic lumber, paperboard boxes, glass bottles, and even clothes. Instead of letting these valuable materials be burned away with your trash, recycle them. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, it has been found that supplies of timber in the United State are not sufficient to make enough paper to meet consumer demand. More and more paper mills are being constructed that use recycled paper.

Using recycled materials for manufacturing instead of virgin materials results in less pollution and uses less energy. Extracting the virgin materials through mining, cutting timber or other processes requires energy. It has been found that manufacturing products from recovered materials can reduce the amount of energy needed by as much as 94%, according to a study conducted by the Tellus Institute.

The following items can be placed in your blue recycling bin:

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to noon and Saturday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (April-December)

Location: 5 Arsene Street

Residents can bring the following items to the Recycling Center:

• Newspaper
• Magazines
• Phone books
• #1 -5 plastics
• Clear and colored glass
• Aluminum and tin cans
• Items containing freon (refrigerators, freezers, air conditions) – $10 apiece
• White goods (dryers, ovens, hot water tanks)
• Scrap metal
• Tires
• Used oil – $0.25 per gallon
• Oil filters – $1 each
• Lead acid batteries
• Grass and leaves
• Branches and stumps
• Mercury containing products (thermostats, thermometers
• Used clothing

Residents can bring reusable paint to the Recycling Center. Useable paint can be dropped off on the 3rd Saturday of each month from May through October, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Accepted paint includes latex paint, oil-based paint, stains and polyurethanes. The items must meet the following conditions:

1. Original labels must be on the cans;
2. The cans must be at least ½ full;
3. The material must be useable; and
4. Only pint to one-gallon size is accepted.

Residents can also pick up paint free of charge. Contact the Fairhaven Board of Health for more information at (508) 979-4022.

Additional Collections

Bulky Item Pickup

Bulky item pickup takes place each year in the spring. The following items are accepted at the curb:

• Bed springs, couches, chairs and other furniture (limit 3 of each item)
• Refrigerators (without doors), stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters (limit 1 of each item)
• Lumber and swing sets tied in 3 foot lengths and 2 feet wide (limit 10 bundles)

Call the Board of Public Works at (508) 979-4030 for specific dates.

Leaf Collection