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1. When can I put my containers out for collection?

You can put your containers out by the curb after 4 p.m. the night before collection and they must be brought back in from the curb by 8 p.m. the day of collection.

2. Where can I purchase Pay As You Throw bags?

PAYT bags can be purchased at the following local retailers:

• 7-Eleven (66 Alfred Street, Biddeford)
• Rays Market (110 West Street, Biddeford)
• Hannaford (299 Elm Street, Biddeford
• Market Basket (220 Mariners Way, Biddeford)
• Shaws (Saco)

3. Can I use a plastic bag to place my recycling items in the blue recycling container?

No, do not use a plastic bag to place items into the blue recycling container. The items you place in the blue recycling container should be placed in the container loosely and not in a bag. The only exception to this is if you have shredded paper. Shredded paper should be placed in a brown paper bag (NOT plastic), then placed into the blue recycling container.

4. What is the program?

Properties that are in the City's curbside recycling and trash collection program receive a blue Zero-Sort recycling bin and a smaller green trash container to limit "free" trash collection. Collection is curbside, so residents living in properties that are in the program no longer have to bring their recyclables to the Recycling Center. Trash and recycling get picked up on the same day every week. Check out what day is your collection day (PDF).

5. How does the program work?

Single-Family Residencies

All single-family residential properties and all residential properties with apartment buildings having 5 or less units received one 65 gallon blue recycling container and one 35 gallon green trash container for each residential unit on the property. Those containers can be put out for collection weekly on the scheduled day for your street. If you have more recycling materials than can fit into your blue recycling container you may bring those materials to the Recycling Center or hold them until the following week. If you have more trash than can fit into your green trash container you must use the City’s orange Pay As You Throw (PAYT) bags for this overflow trash. These bags will be sold in a number of local stores. Check out where you can purchase these bags! The PAYT bags can be placed curbside next to your green trash container for collection. The PAYT bags can also be placed in a separate container as long as that container is no larger than 45 gallons and does not weigh more than 35 pounds. Remember, you do not need orange PAYT bags for trash that you put in your green trash container. PAYT bags are only used for trash that does not fit into your green trash container.

Commercial Apartment Properties

All grandfathered commercial apartment properties with 6 or more units received one 65-gallon blue recycling container for each residential unit on the property, space permitting. If you have more recycling materials than can fit into your blue recycling container you may bring those materials to the Recycling Center or hold them until the following week. These properties will not receive any trash containers. Trash from these properties will need to be placed in the City’s orange PAYT bags and placed curbside for collection. The PAYT bags can be placed in a trash container as long as that container is no larger than 45 gallons and does not weigh more than 35 pounds. These bags will be sold in a number of local stores. Check out where you can purchase these bags!

6. Who is included in the Zero-Sort Program?

Included in the Zero Sort Program are:

• All single-family residential properties
• All residential properties with apartment buildings having 5 or less units
• Grandfathered commercial apartment properties with 6 or more units
  • See a list of grandfathered properties.

7. What goes into the containers?

Blue Recycling Container

The blue recycling container is used for the following items ONLY. All recyclables should be LOOSE in the blue bin (not bagged).

• Cardboard/Paper
  • Corrugated Cardboard (Wavy center layer)
  • Boxboard (Dry-food boxes, egg cartons, paper towel rolls, etc.)
  • Junk Mail, Glossy Inserts, Newspapers, Periodicals, Envelopes, and Catalogs
  • Office Paper
  • Paper bags
  • Telephone books
  • Shredded paper (please place in a paper bag)
• Plastic
  • Rigid Plastic Bottles, Jugs, Tubs, and Lids marked with #1-7 (Empty kitchen, laundry, and bath containers)
• Metal
  • Aluminum and Steel Cans
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Bi-metal cans
• Glass
  • Empty food and beverage bottles and jars

Green Trash Container

The green trash container is used for your household trash. Your household trash can be placed in regular trash bags prior to placement in the green container. You do not need to use the city’s orange PAYT bags for trash that is placed in the green trash container. The orange PAYT bags are only for trash that does not fit in the green trash container.

8. What does not go into the containers?

Do not place any of the following items in either container:

• Acids
• Exposed Needles
• Gas
• Hazardous Wastes
• Hot Ashes
• Leaves and Grass Clippings
• Medical Wastes
• Oil
• Paint
• Rocks
• Sand
• Soil / Dirt
• Solvents

9. Can I place the orange Pay as You Throw (PAYT) bags into my old trash container for collection?

Yes, you can place the orange PAYT bags into your old trash can and place it out by the road for collection.

10. Can I use a plastic bag to place trash in my green trash container?

Yes, trash can be placed in a regular plastic trash bag then placed into the green trash container.

11. What makes commercial apartment properties grandfathered?

Commercial apartment properties with 6 or more units are grandfathered if the following 2 conditions are met :

1. The City was picking up the trash at that property prior to July 1, 2013
2. The property is still owned by the same owner that owned it on July 1, 2002

These properties will retain their grandfathered status until such time that the ownership changes. Upon a change in ownership, the grandfathered status will be lost and the City will no longer service that property. View the list of grandfathered properties. If your property is not on this list then it is not grandfathered.

12. What happens if my property lost its grandfathered status?

Property owners that have lost the grandfathered status for trash collection need to contract with a private hauler to collect and dispose of their trash and recyclables. The City continued to pick up the trash at these locations until June 28, 2013. As always, the tenants of those properties may bring their acceptable recycling materials to the Recycling Center.

View a list of properties that have lost their grandfather status.

13. I have an additional question or comment - what should I do?

If you have an additional question or comment you can fill out this form and someone will get back to you, or you can call the Public Works Department at 207-282-1579.