Haverhill’s Recycling Center is open today under new rules and by appointment only to maintain social distancing designed to slow community spread of the coronavirus.
The public may drop off grass, leaves and other yard waste at 500 Primrose St., behind the Public Works Department only after making an appointment and paying for passes at haverhillrecycle.org. Passes range from one-day admittance for $9 to an annual sticker for $45 or $30 for residents above the age of 65. Only one appointment per day, per household is allowed.
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said, “We are aware that there is pent-up demand—we heard you—so we are going to open the yard for five and half days per week,” Mayor Fiorentini said.
Because of public health concerns, the mayor said city staff will not be able to assist residents in person and access to the Recycling Center yard will be limited to no more than 10 vehicles at a time. Vehicles will be allowed to line up outside the gate as drivers wait to be admitted. A police detail will assist with traffic control when necessary.
“Our staff will be wearing masks and we ask that the public wear them also,” Fiorentini said, adding that workers have been trained on COVID-19 safety measures and are equipped with face masks and other personal protective equipment.
Grass and leaves are accepted Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Brush and recyclables are accepted Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Recyclables include cardboard, metals, appliances, mercury products and batteries, tires, televisions and propane tanks.
Other rules require residents to maintain a distance of six feet from others, empty leaf bags to reduce litter at the compost pile keep brush to no more than four feet long and six inches in diameter.