New Program FAQ
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.
Before finalizing program details, we asked for your input via survey. In response to the survey, we compiled the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Glossary of Terms | |
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| Toter: | A two-wheeled lidded trash can/cart for residential waste and recycling uses. |
| Automated Pick-Up: | Automated collection uses a mechanical arm on trucks to empty trash carts (toters); instead of workers lifting heavy barrels. Fully automated trucks have controls inside the truck that allow the driver to operate a mechanical arm that lifts, dumps, and returns the cart to the curb. |
Have a question? Send it in to the Department of Public Works by emailing publicworks@cityofmelrose.org.
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- Why do we need a new trash and recycling contract? Why can’t we continue doing what we’ve been doing, with no increase in fees?
The City has been operating under the same trash and recycling contract with JRM/Republic for the past twelve years, and this contract is expiring on June 30, 2024. The City does not have an option of extending this contract with the current terms.
The cost of trash and recycling services has more than doubled since we entered into our last contract in 2012, and while Casella Waste Management was the City’s lowest bidder, the City is raising the Trash Fee to continue providing trash and recycling as a service to the community.
- Why do we need to go to automated pickup with wheeled carts (toters)?
In anticipation of our contract expiring, the City solicited proposals from several hauling vendors in 2023. Three (3) vendors were interested in submitting proposals: Casella Waste Systems, Waste Management, and JRM/Republic Services. All three informed the City that they are no longer providing pricing for manual pickup, as the entire industry is moving toward all automated services. All proposals received were only for automated pickup.
Some benefits of automated pickup include safety for the hauling personnel, less litter from overflowing barrels or non-compliant barrels without lids, and consistent placement of barrels back in the location where they were placed for pickup (fewer barrels/lids ending up in the street).
- Will trash still be picked up weekly?
Yes, there are no plans to change the frequency of trash pickup.
- Will the Carts (toters) be City property? What if my cart needs to be repaired?
The City will purchase and “own” the toters. That means the City will provide replacement parts and repairs at no cost to residents.
The City is required to purchase new wheeled carts (toters) to comply with the hauler’s automated pickup feature. All haulers that responded to the City’s proposal request required the City to purchase new wheeled carts.
- Where will we get the new containers?
Carts will be delivered directly to residents’ homes.
- How large are the carts (with dimensions)?
64-gallon = 42” H x 24” W x 29” D
(Image of Sample Toters With Garage Doors for Scale. Note: The City’s new toters will not be yellow as pictured below. The City is reviewing all available color options.)
- Will all my trash fit in a 64-gallon container?
Most communities with automated pickup use 64-gallon carts for residential properties and most Melrose households put out less than 64 gallons of trash a week. We are exploring options for those who put out more than 64 gallons of trash, such as overflow bags, or a fee for the purchase of an additional cart. We will publicize that information before the new program takes effect.
- How many open bins for recycling can “fit into” the 64-gallon container?
A typical recycling bin is 14 gallons. Therefore, a 64-gallon container would fit the same volume of material as about four and a half (4.5) recycling bins.
- How many carts (toters) will each residence receive for trash and how many for recycling?
The City will be providing residents with one (1) new trash cart (toter) per residential unit and one (1) new recycling cart (toter) per residential unit.
For residential units that generate a greater volume of trash and/or recycling, more information will follow.
- How many carts (toters) will multi-family homes receive?
The City provides curbside trash and recycling services for all properties with six or fewer units. Each unit paying a trash fee will be provided with one trash and one recycling toter. Therefore, if you have a three-family home, you are presently assessed three trash fees and thus would be receiving three trash and three recycling carts.
Can I get a different sized cart instead of the 64-gallon cart?
No. We currently do not have an option to provide carts other than the 64 gallon size.
- Do residents need to be home when carts are delivered?
No, you will not need to be at home. More information about cart delivery will be provided to the community before delivery dates are announced.
- What can I do with the new barrel I purchased from the City after the covered barrel ordinance went into effect?
We are working with Casella to determine if the barrels we sold to residents will be allowable for overflow recycling pickup. We will publish this information before the new program takes effect. We are also working to offer a rigid plastics recycling event in the spring/summer for residents to dispose of non-compliant barrels in an environmentally sustainable way.
The City has a rigid plastic recycling event each year where old recycling bins and trash cans can be recycled. We will also explore other options for an event where barrels can be recycled or repurposed. We encourage residents to find other uses for their barrels when possible, such as using them for yard waste.
- Does everything have to fit within the provided barrels for both trash and recycling?
Yes, all material is required to be inside the container (including cardboard).
- Will the City Yard still be available to drop off recycling?
Yes. The City Yard is currently open every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and seasonally on Saturdays. We accept sorted recycling from all Melrose residents and businesses, including those who live in buildings with more than six units, to make recycling accessible to all Melrosians.
- With the increase in our trash fee, where will that money be going? Is there any way to avoid this increased fee?
The new trash fee will be set to cover the cost of the new hauling and disposal contracts, and the cost of recycling and trash services across the board has doubled since we entered into our last contract in 2012. The prior trash fee ($200/year) has not been increased since 2005 and cannot cover the costs of the new contract.
- Is the price of recycling services included in the Trash Fee?
Yes, recycling services and trash services are and have always been part of the City’s Trash Fee.
- Are there discounts available to those who need help paying the Trash Fee?
Yes; the City of Melrose offers Water, Sewer, and Trash Discounts to residents who meet certain criteria including being 65 and older and/or meeting the low-income threshold.
To learn more, visit https:/ww.cityofmelrose.org/water-and-sewer/pages/water-sewer-trash-discount-abatement-forms
- Can residents continue to use trash can liners?
Yes, you can throw any type of bagged or un-bagged items into your trash toter. Recycling toters should not have any sort of liners since plastic bags cannot be recycled in your curbside pickup.
- Will the curbside collection schedule change?
We do not anticipate major schedule changes, but this has not yet been finalized.
- Will yard waste pickup be impacted?
No, this contract does not change anything about curbside yard waste pickup or yard waste drop-off at the City Yard. The City performs curbside yard waste collection with our own equipment and personnel, and we plan to continue to do so.
- Will the one large-item rule go away?
The bulk item program will be changing with the new contract. We will provide more information about bulk items before the transition.
- What happens if trash or recycling pickup is missed?
If trash or recycling pickup is missed, we will notify residents of the best ways to contact Casella or the DPW to ensure the missed pickup is retrieved. You should not have to drive your materials to the City Yard in the event of a missed pickup.
- I live on a narrow, dead-end street where the current hauler cannot access my home. How will the new pickup work for me?
There are a handful of streets in Melrose where the existing hauler cannot access the homes, and pickup is presently performed in-house by DPW personnel. We will work with our new vendor to determine whether their equipment can access these locations. Either way, we will ensure that your trash and recycling will continue to be picked up.
- Is the City considering curbside compost pickup?
The City is investigating options to partner with a curbside compost provider to encourage curbside composting in Melrose; however, this service is not part of our new solid waste and recycling contract with Casella. We will continue to research the best approach to increasing curbside compost participation and will provide more information on options for residents in the coming months.