• Recycling Guide
  • Yard Waste & Recycling Center
  • Recycling Organizations
• Purchasing a Bulky & Metal Permit
• Holiday Schedule
• Refuse and Recycling Collection Schedules and Recycling Calendar
• Acceptable and Unacceptable Items

Direct all questions regarding refuse removal and recycling to Paine's Recycling & Rubbish Removal at (860) 844-3000

Weekly Automated Refuse & Recycling Collection

Refuse and Recycling is on schedule. 

There is NO delay due to Lincoln's Birthday or President's Day.

All one, two and three-family homes received an automated trash collection barrel, either a 95-gallon or 65-gallon size. This barrel is the property of the Town of West Hartford and is the only barrel that will be collected on your refuse collection day, along with your recycling barrel.

Who is eligible for West Hartford sponsored collections?

• Residential properties with three units or less

• Condominium complexes – Automated carts or dumpster service only – no compactors

Who is not eligible for West Hartford sponsored collections?

• Apartment complexes with four units or more

• Retail , commercial and industrial properties

• Private schools, religious organizations and other non – profit organizations

• Mixed used properties – typically a two or three family house with a business occupying one of the units.

Automated collection barrels

• Every eligible residential unit has been issued both a refuse & recycling barrel.

• Barrels are the property of the Town of West Hartford and must remain at the property where they were issued.

• Each barrel has a serial number which has been inventoried to the address it was delivered.

• Residents owning other properties in town may not relocate barrels assigned to those properties.

• Lost or stolen barrels are the responsibility of the property owner.

• Only barrels issued by The Town of West Hartford or Paine’s Inc. may be used for collection services.

• Damage from normal wear & tear will be maintained by the Town of West Hartford through our contractor Paine’s inc. 860-844-3000

Refuse and Recycling Collection Schedules and Recycling Calendar

To check your refuse or recycling collection schedule just type in your street name and your collection day for refuse and recycling will appear in the associated boxes. Use the calendar link to determine if your recycling week is on the A or B schedule of your refuse collection day.

When in doubt put it out !

Check your Refuse and Recycling Collection Schedules and Recycling Calendar here

Barrel placement at the curb

• On your collection day barrel(s) should be at the curb by 6 A.M.

• Barrels must not be placed in the street for the following reasons:

1. Collection vehicle are forced farther into roadway causing traffic back-ups. 

2. During snow storms plow vehicles are can not widen streets to their fullest and barrels can get knocked over by the cast of snow off the plow. 

3. They impede the normal flow of traffic.

• The front of the barrel must be place at the curb. The back of the barrel is where the handle and wheels are located .

. Only items and material in the barrel will be collected.

. Reported missed collections will be completed no later than the end of the next business day.

• On weeks when you put out your recycling please remember to keep at least a two foot gap between your barrels.

. Please do not use plastic bags to contain recyclable materials.

• Barrels can not remain at the curb for extended periods of time. Town ordinance limits the time your barrels and items scheduled for bulk, mattress, box spring, metal and appliance collections can be left at the curb. You may place your barrel and items scheduled for collection out no more than 24 hours before and remove it 24 hours after 6 A.M. of your scheduled collection day.

Following these guidelines will help to eliminate delays, and will promote timely collection for all residents. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Common reasons why trash was NOT collected:

• Items are too large (doesn't meet dimensional requirements).

• Unacceptable material items such as dirt, concrete, slate, stone brick, stumps, sand, cement, asphalt, ceramics can not be placed in your barrel.

• Recyclable items such as cardboard are not tied or improperly tied.

• Refuse not out before 6:00 AM. on collection day.

• Vehicles blocking access.

• Refuse in any container other than the automated collection barrel (ex: improper barrels and corrugated cardboard boxes.)

• Trash items were presented outside the automated barrel

Recycling Guide

Recycling Guide West Hartford residents participate in single stream recycling collection. All recycling items collected can be placed into your blue recycling barrel without having to separate them or bag them by like items. Recyclables will be collected every two weeks on the same day as your refuse collection day. The items listed below are governed by the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority.

Click here for a LISTING OF RECYCLABLES:

Acceptable and Unacceptable Items

Acceptable Items

The following items are considered regular household refuse. REGULAR REFUSE ITEMS DO NOT REQUIRE A PHONE CALL. All items must fit loosely in the automated collection barrel. If not, you will need to purchase a permit and arrange for a special bulky waste or metal collection. It is the resident's responsibility to ensure that the following items meet the specific requirements listed below:

• Latex Paint Cans: Only empty and dry cans will be accepted. Cans with liquid remaining should be left open until the contents are solid. Sawdust and cat litter can be added to speed up drying.
• Sawdust and Ashes must be cold and placed in a plastic bag and tied securely.
• Shipping Peanuts must be placed in a plastic bag and tied securely.
• Formica and Non-recyclable Plastic & Glass must be broken into small pieces.
• Branches and Brush must be bundled and tied in 4 foot lengths. See Recycling Center.
• Wood: Large items that cannot fit into your automated barrel are bulky collection items. Check the Bulky & Metal Collection for details.
• Household Batteries manufactured after 1997 contain no hazardous waste and can be disposed of in the trash.
• Prescription and Over the Counter Medicines: Do not flush medicine down the sink or toilet. This pollutes water and negatively affects fish, wildlife, drinking water supplies, septic systems, and sewage treatment plants. Properly dispose of medication by adding water to pill bottles or a non-toxic powder to liquid medications to prevent someone from eating it. Labels can be removed, colored over with a marker or covered with duct tape. Place the medicine bottle in a bag or container to conceal and throw it in the trash.

Unacceptable  Items

• Explosives
• Biological waste
• Hazardous chemical substances (see Household Hazardous Waste)
• Radioactive materials
• Human or animal waste
• Animal remains. Contact your veterinarian or a private wildlife control service.
• Automotive parts
• Liquid waste
• Radioactive medical waste, including human and pet waste. Check with your doctor or veterinarian.
• Recyclable materials
• Leaves
• Grass Clippings are a state-mandated recyclable item, and are not collected with refuse. Residents are encouraged to use a mulching mower or compost their clippings. Thatch and weeds are considered grass.

Residents can dispose of their grass clippings at the Recycling Center at a cost of $59/ton, with a $10 minimum charge. Most residents end up paying the $10 minimum. This fee covers the cost to ship the grass to a site registered by the DEP to compost grass. West Hartford does not have a site that meets the DEP registration requirements.