Tips for avoiding waits at solid waste facility
March 28, 2021

Avoid mid-morning waits in line: Drop off solid waste early or after noon

It’s as predictable as spring cleaning and seasonal home fix-ups: With warmer weather, more people are bringing their old appliances, demolition debris, shingles and back-of-the-closet junk to the City’s Transfer Station at the Solid Waste Facility, 1033 Elm St.

Spring cleaning is so popular, in fact, that long lines can form during peak hours as residents and contractors wait to back up their trucks to the disposal bay and unload their solid waste. This spring, necessary maintenance upgrades to the facility will also be occurring, meaning wait times may be longer than usual.

“Mid mornings are the most popular times for people to bring their solid waste for disposal,” said Patience Melnik, Waste and Resources Manager. “If people come first thing in the morning, or after noon on a weekday, they’re a lot less likely to encounter a long wait.”

Hours of operation for both the Household Hazardous Waste Facility and the Transfer Station are 7 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 7-11:45 a.m. on Wednesdays; and 8-11:45 a.m. Saturdays. (All Solid Waste Facility operations are closed on Sundays.)

Meanwhile, due to the Easter weekend holiday closure, the Free for City Residents Day in April has been rescheduled from the usual first Saturday of the month to the second Saturday (April 10). On this one day each month, fees are waived for City residents dropping off their residential solid waste. On Free for City Residents Day, no commercial vehicles are allowed. For details, visit bit.ly/3foX3XY. Customers should be prepared to show proof of City residency.