Franklin County, Massachusetts 

Programs and Services of the 
Franklin County Solid Waste District

Administrative Assessment-Based Services

1. Tracking and Reports:  The District tracks the quantity of recyclables, trash, bulky items, and metal shipped under the District’s hauling contracts.  This information is necessary for state reports and also helps towns in their budget process. The District completes annual reports required by the MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
2. Grant Writing:  Each year the District applies for state and federal solid waste management grants on behalf of its member towns.  The District regularly receives $20,000-$40,000 annually in state and federal grants.
3. Special Programs:  The District operates three regional permanent collection centers for household hazardous waste in Bernardston, Colrain, and Conway.  These sites are open year-round to all District residents.  Residents are charged a disposal fee for their waste.  The District also coordinates a collection twice yearly for tires, electronics, appliances, and bulky wastes.  This collection is held at three sites simultaneously.  The District sells backyard compost bins and recycling bins. It distributes containers for used oil at no cost to residents.  It operates a free sharps collection program.  It collects mercury-containing products at no cost and provides free non-mercury thermometers to residents.
4. Assistance to Residents, Businesses, Schools, and Town Offices:  Technical assistance is offered on recycling, composting, waste disposal, and hazardous materials management. 
5. Representation at Regional, State, and National Forums:  District staff participate in meetings held by regional, state, and national organizations.  District staff provides input on legislation, regulations, new programs, and planning efforts.  Always, the intent is to represent the unique needs of and issues facing small, rural towns in western Massachusetts.

The District currently administers four fee-for-services programs.  District staff develop and distribute bid documents for these programs, review bid results, recommend contractors, develop contracts, review monthly bills and expenses, and advocate on behalf of the towns with the contractor.

1. Recyclables Hauling:  The District administers a contract for hauling recyclables from each town transfer station to the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility.
2. Waste Hauling & Disposal:  The District administers a contract for hauling and disposing/recycling of trash, bulky wastes, appliances, and scrap metal from town facilities.  Towns receive revenue from scrap metal sales.
3. Sludge Hauling & Disposal:  The District administers a contract for hauling and disposal of sludge from town wastewater treatment facilities. 
4. Household Hazardous Waste: The District organizes an annual collection for household hazardous waste from residents and businesses.  The collection is held at three sites simultaneously.  Over 400 households participate annually in this collection. 

• Intensive outreach to residents on reducing and properly disposing of hazardous waste 
• Removal options for junk and abandoned vehicles 
• Recycling collection containers and assistance for town and county fairs 
• Public education on proper plastics recycling 
• Education on proper disposal of unwanted medications and collection of medications at the hazardous waste collection
• Purchase of 25 public space recycling bins for town fairs, art shows, and special events 
  
• Addition of a comprehensive “What do I do with...” page to our website that provides recycling and disposal options for over 350 items 
  
• Coordinating a collection of unwanted pesticides from agricultural operations at no charge at the hazardous waste collection 
  
• Development of the first permanent collection program in Massachusetts of unwanted medications from residents