We stop by the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF), affectionately known around town as “the dump,” on a regular basis ostensibly to keep things tidy in the garage. But our weekly visit is so much more than just a way to dispose of trash and deal with our recyclables. Going to the dump is part chore, part fun. We never know what we’ll find—a discarded rose of sharon, root ball intact, while we’re tossing our yard waste; the very book we need for next month’s book group; or almost the entire contents of our swell office.
Here are a few Wellesley RDF summer pics, just in case you’re away and miss the old place.
There’s always a face palm at the end of the trip. What did we forget to bring this time? Dammit. The food waste. Again. We keep leaving it behind in the freezer. So now there’s officially more garbage in our freezer than consumable food. Oh well. Next week.
Wellesley RDF hours
Monday – Wednesday: 7am-noon
Thursday – Saturday: 7am-3:45pm
Sunday: 10am-3pm
Upcoming RDF event
As a 28 year resident of Wellesley, I’m sad to see that it appears that many new arrivals to town appear (to me) to be opting for private recyling and garbage pickup services in lieu of making dump runs.
While that option is their choice to make, it’s disappointing to me that these families aren’t going to the RDF themselves. The Wellesley RDF is a local treasure of which we can be very proud. A model for personal commitment to protecting our natural resouces and a worthy example for our kids and grandkids to follow. Do others share my opinion?
Hi Patrick, I see this, too. 2 new homes built in our area had the Roy’s receptacles out front almost before the neighbors arrived. The DPW/RDF have discussed plans to step up promotions to newcomers. Bob
I agree but as a new resident I love the RDF! It is part of my Saturday morning ritual. I take pride in recycling and love going through the reusable section for a hidden treasure! It is too bad more people don’t take advantage of the great work being done at the RDF.
I love the RDF, where we often drop off recyclables, yard waste and utilize the reusables area to rehome items or find hidden gems…. But we also use Roy’s. I found when my kids were really little and caring for them was such a constant demand on energy that the trash would pile up and the longer it went the worse the chore became. I sympathize with anyone who knows that it’s going to be a challenge to make it to the RDF in a timely way. It’s about a 45 minute commitment with round trip and time there and some families have trouble making that time every week, or want to prioritize other life experiences even if they still use the RDF on occasion like we do.
Dear Swellesys,
Imagine my surprise and my happiness when I looked at your den and saw my previous curtains looking so beautiful in your room! I always hoped they would go somewhere that they would be appreciated and viola!
Enjoy!
Patricia Prior
I was hoping to get a comment like this one, Patricia. Love that someone recognized their former decor.
As a relative newcomer, I think newcomers might be turning to private services because of the long, unfriendly process to get a RDF permit. Mine took weeks (with my recycling piling high in the meantime), and didn’t get approved until I called to check on it. Also, I had to submit so many documents: my full renter’s agreement, car registration, driver’s license, and RMV address update form… it’s a lot!
Thanks for this perspective, Carolyn. As a long-time resident, for some reason I thought getting a permit was easy as pie.
I am excited to have my permit though— looking forward to going for the first time this weekend!
We don’t have a true town green; we have the RDF. It is the heart and soul of our town in so many ways. There ha e been concerts and art shows there. A resource for gardeners. On and on. Love the pictures of some of your finds. Some day I’ll put together a catalog of all our locally sourced furnishings.
Just curious if you have to be a resident to go check out the books at the RDF?
The RDF is pretty strict about limiting use of the facility to Wellesley residents only. From their rules and regulations: Permits to use the RDF “shall be issued to Wellesley residents only. To be eligible for a permit, applicants must prove by appropriate documentation that they have primary
residency in the Town, that the vehicle is registered to that primary residency and under their name or the name of a member of their immediate household and that the vehicle is principally garaged in Wellesley.” Here’s a link for more info: https://www.wellesleyma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16393/RDF-Rules–Regulations