Saugus To Trash Pickers: Stay Away From Our Recycle Bins
SAUGUS (CBS) - The town of Saugus plans to start cracking down on trash pickers who go through residents' recycle bins on trash day.
Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone says she has received a number of complaints from residents in the past year.
"We have people out picking cans at four in the morning. People are awakened to the sounds of cans and bottles being banged around," Cerbone told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz.
Public Health Director Frank Giacalone says most of the pickers are from out of town and they seem to have an organized picking scheme.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
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"It's not just one or two bags. These are large contractor trash bags they're filling," he said.
The noise isn't the only problem. Saugus relies on money from recycling. Trash pickers taking bags of recyclables equates to hundreds of dollars each week in lost revenue.
That's why they say they will be out enforcing. Town officials are also asking residents to be on the lookout for the vehicles used by bottle and can pickers so they can track down who should be fined.
"Don't do it in Saugus because we're going to be out there and we're going to be enforcing," Giacalone warned.
