Big Purge is April 25th - Join Wakefield's Sustainability Surge

Wakefield is responding to increasing garbage fees and more stringent recycling requirements with an in April event to help residents and businesses declutter. Scheduled around Earth Day, “The Big Purge” is a day where we will be able to get rid of a wide range of items taking up space in attics, basements, garages, sheds and storage units. The drop offs will be accepted at Wakefield Memorial High School, on Saturday, April 25 from 9am to 1pm. For information on items to be collected and resources to help you prepare, visit the event website at https://www.thebigpurge.com/. Please check back from time to time for updates.

We have other types of drop offs in Wakefield, how is this new or different?
The Town of Wakefield typically hosts drop off events for toxic items such as hazardous waste and mercury. This event offers additional collections all in one place. It’s the most convenient way to get rid of all the other stuff you’ve been thinking about getting rid of for years – at no cost to you.

What should I do to prepare?
Participating in this event can take as little or as much time as you have, but the more you prepare, the more successful you can be. Plan to set aside a few blocks of time in March and early April to collect and bag up items in advance of the event.
What types of items can I get rid of?

We have confirmed the following items will be collected and are seeking ideas and hosts for other items:
• Paper for shredding, hosted Baystate Financial
• Textiles like clothing, shoes, accessories- hats, pocketbooks, belts, gloves, duffle bags, ties, scarfs, totes, sheets, blankets, draperies, pillows, towels, table linens, comforters, throw rugs, placemats, and stuffed animals, hosted by Bay State Textiles
• Plastic bags including dry cleaning, produce, newspaper, ziploc, cereal box liners, bread and store shopping bags, to be recycled into a park bench by Trex Recycling
• Scrap metal like old keys and locks, tools, and bikes, hosted by Martello Services
• Batteries, hosted by Martello Services
• Books, hosted by Friends of the Beebe
• More to come!

Can I to help? Great, we appreciate your help:

Host a drop off service for an item you can help reuse or recycle.

Businesses/Services: You can email us businesses and programs that offer related services at wakefieldbigpurge@gmail.com. We will add these to the Offers page as we receive them.

Ideas: You can also email us ideas and resources at wakefieldbigpurge@gmail.com. We will add these to the Resources page as we receive them.

Plan a related event: Hold a yard sale or other sustainability event anytime in April and directly post it on our Events page.

I need help!

No problem! Residents can consult the Offers page on the website for more information on local businesses and services you may find useful.