Medford, Massachusetts, plans to end weekly municipal trash pickup on July 1, 2027, shifting households to every-other-week collection and charging for trash that exceeds the basic allowance.
Here's what to know
The every-other-week pickups would cover two carts supplied to each household — 96 gallons for recycling and 64 gallons for trash, according to Patch.
Residents who need additional trash capacity can rent extra carts or buy overflow bags. Basic service comes at no extra fee under the arrangement, which the city calls Pay As You Throw, or PAYT.
More background
Residents have weekly trash service, while recycling is collected on alternating weeks. Patch reported that the city's service guide lists that schedule through June 2027.
Weekly composting is an opt-in service, and the existing service guide also lists seasonal yard and leaf pickup. Under the plan, yard and leaf collection would remain available for 20 weeks each year, while the 12-gallon food-waste cart would continue to be emptied weekly.
Buildings with five or more units must arrange private collection rather than use the municipal system, which generally serves residential properties with up to four units.
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What's being done?
The future of Medford's trash, recycling, and composting services is the subject of an online public meeting announced in a release from the city and Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Patch reported.
Community feedback sessions helped shape the collection approaches that city employees will explain at the meeting. Their presentation will also cover findings gathered after those sessions.
Future collection plans and service improvements will draw on residents' feedback, the city said. Residents will have an opportunity to provide that input and ask questions after the presentation.
Where can I learn more?
Medford's plans come as other communities change how they collect trash and charge for it.
• Houston is adding a $5 monthly trash fee to water bills without covering collection costs.
• In Painesville, Ohio, the city got a proposed trash bill surcharge cut in half.
• In Cincinnati's Westwood neighborhood, residents say trash pickup delays have left the neighborhood smelling.
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