Massachusetts city plans to end weekly trash pickup in 2027, charge for overflow

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 ser...