(!) New Collection Program Information

In anticipation of the end of our existing contract, the City of Melrose competitively bid and negotiated new trash and recycling collection and disposal contracts to begin on July 1, 2024.

Increased Trash Fee

The City has not updated its Trash Fee in nearly 20 years (2005), and since entering into its last contracts in 2012, the cost of providing trash and recycling services to residents has doubled. As a result, one key change included an increase to the City's Trash Fee to (-/+) $430/per household/per year.

The increased cost of services and corresponding Trash Fee (listed below) reflect the City’s competitive bidding and thorough negotiation process to reach the best deal for Melrose in the current marketplace. 

New City-Purchased-and-Owned Carts (Toters)

Casella Waste Management is requiring the City to purchase new wheeled carts (toters) to comply with the hauler’s automated pickup feature. The City will purchase and distribute the wheeled carts to customers and provide replacement parts and repairs at no additional cost to residents. All haulers that responded to the City’s proposal request required the City to purchase new wheeled carts.

We will provide each household with one (1) recycling toter and one (1) trash toter. The City will distribute the wheeled carts directly to customers' residences.

Carts (Toter) Size

City-provided toters for recycling and trash will be 64-gallon toters.

In January and February 2024, we solicited your input via a Trash and Recycling survey, and in response, we published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page.

Have a question? Send it in to the Department of Public Works by emailing publicworks@cityofmelrose.orgpublicworks@cityofmelrose.org.

February 20, 2024

On Tuesday, February 20, the DPW staff provided the Appropriations and Oversight Committee (A&O) with an overview of the City's trash & recycling contract negotiations.

The 2.20.24 A&O agenda packet includes the DPW's slide deck that outlines the following:

• Procurement and Bidding of New Contract
• Bid Comparison and Final Pricing
• Side-by-Side Comparisons
• Cost for Every Week Recycling Services
• Key Services and Changes
• Strategy of New Program Rollout

Click here to view the 2.20.24 A&O agenda packet.

December 11, 2023

In December, 2023, DPW staff updated the City Council on the new contract. Click here to watch the discussion.

How do other communities pay for trash and recycling? 

To learn how other communities in Massachusetts pay for trash and recycling servicies, visit https://www.mass.gov/lists/recycling-solid-waste-data-for-massachusetts-cities-towns