Recycling was refused due to improper dual-stream sorting and/or unaccepted items found in recycling. Please reference the attached flyer or download a copy of the flyer for reference at www.cityofmalden.org/trash for more information.

Seems silly to me that the dreaded plastic bag is not included in recyclable items. We all pay taxes and want to see things recycled - if it's an issue with updating our facilities, than it should be done. Outdated systems? I don't know! But more folks would have the need to get rid of plastic bags than "Engineer Drawings!"

Boy, I could not agree with you more, it is time that Malden started looking out for it's taxpayers and stood up to the recycler. I'm as sick and tired of all these stupid rules as you are.

I couldn't disagree more. I posted this because this homeowner left the recycling, which was rightfully rejected, on the sidewalk for over a week. It will be rightfully rejected again tomorrow. There is a contract in place. It calls for dual stream recycling and placing recycling in plastic bags is not allowed. You can get a free blue bin if you go to the DPW, rather than waste your time trolling SCF. If RJM has to upgrade its facility to accommodate your precious plastic bags, you and I will pay for it in the next contract. It is not hard. Just do it.

My question to you is WHO SIGNED THE CONTRACT? The Taxpayers never had a say in any of this. Ad $10 to our taxes but for got sakes, this contact is a joke.

Matt, my complaint is not about you posting. I live across the street at 88 - blue house with white fence. I have owned my home since 2006 - I have 3 blue bins (which were NOT free, back when they started this, lol. One was free, I paid $5 each for the others) Not sure why you think I was insulting you/ I'm upset at the system, because it is flawed . I don't think plastic bags are precious, but since as you point out, WE are already paying for this system, I for one, as a taxpayer in Malden since 2002, would like to see the horrid plastic bags included AS RECYCLING. I AM NOT SPEAKING OF PLACING RECYCLING IN PLASTIC BAGS AND DIDNT IMPLY THAT IN MY COMMENT. As i stated, I own 3 recycling bins. I'm Talking about the fact that they don't take Stop and Shop grocery bags, et al. I use and reuse them until they have holes, and then I have to throw them away. I don't know how to make that work - I'm a lowly self employed dog trainer. But seems like a logical thing to have accomplished.

Matt, I didn't mean that we should be allowed to use plastic to recycle and didn't imply that . I own my home across the street - I have THREE blue bins, so your "just do it" comment is a moot point. Mine, by the way, were not free - we got one free and payed $5 each for the others, at the beginning of this program, in any case. And I do not think plastic grocery bags are "precious" either. (?) I do, however, think they should be part of the recyclable items that we taxpayers can include in our blue bins. Yes, RJM SHOULD update its facility, it would seem, if they cannot collect grocery shopping bags, which for NOW, at least are still legal to use. I use as few as possible, and reuse them until they are unusable, and then they go into the trash - which is a shame.
Lastly, you were very quick to take offense at my comment, when in fact it had nothing to do with your reporting your incident, if you take the time to read it again. Now, back to my trolling.....

Sue, most communities do not accept plastic grocery bags in their recycling. If you want to recycle them, take them to the grocery store. You will see a large bin as you walk in. I certainly did not feel insulted by your post. I just question why you are trolling SCF and posting about something so irrelevant.

Sam, I assume the mayor or someone from the DPW signed the contract. They raise our taxes every year as much as Prop 2.5 allows. The money goes to important things like schools and roads, which are underfunded as is. I don't want to see my tax money going to a new recycling contract so people don't need to spend a few extra minutes sorting their recycling. If you do, I suggest you find a candidate for mayor that supports that issue.

Well it's interesting to me that you, Matt, consider my concerns "irrelevant." My concerns just may NOT be exactly the same as yours, but to me are certainly not a non-issue. I don't think I should HAVE to take my bags to the grocery store. I pay for recycling HERE at my home, or at lest pay for my lovely blue bags. THAT was my whole complaint to begin with. Sorry it doesn't add up to a valid point to you. Seems to be that the comment section is here for a reason...
And again with the "trolling" comment - I just so happen to be signed up for this web site, as I TOO, have had issues to report, guess you haven't thought of that. So, these posts made by folks like YOU (and me) show up in my email. I am not, nor have I ever, been a "troller," but you feel free to keep up your condescension. Jeez.