Someone May Be Peeking in Your Recycling Bins, Watertown

Don't be alarmed if you see someone peeking in your recycling bin — Town officials want to know how much Watertown residents are recycling and how well the bins are being used.

In August, the town switched to new recycling and trash pickup program, where residents have one 64-gallon toter for trash and a second for recycling. The recycling is picked up every other week, while trash is collected weekly. 

Some residents have complained that the recycling bins are not big enough, and asked for weekly pickup. The Town Council's Public Works Committee, however, decided that the cost would be too high to add weekly recycling. Some, however may be able to get a second recycling bin.

Town officials wanted to find out how well bins are being utilized. Soon after the program started, Watertown's trash/recycling contractor, Republic Waste Services, looked at recycling bins around town.

Town Councilor John Donohue said he wanted to see if people's recycling practices have changed.

"Could we do another survey now that it has been a few months and residents are getting used to the system?" Donohue said.

Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee said he would ask Republic to do another survey.

The Town Council also asked the Public Works staff to find out how much it would cost to see residents a second recycling bin.