Medford Gets Trash Reduction Plan Funded Through Grant

MEDFORD, MA — The city announced Thursday that it has received a sizable grant to help reach its waste reduction.

The $200,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will reportedly go toward advancing Medford’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan by kickstarting a “Pay As You Throw” trash collection service that will collect 64 gallons of trash every other week by July 2027. Last year, the MassDEP helped Medford launch its curbside compost collection program, which Public Works Commissioner Tim McGivern aims to have every resident partaking in the compost collection by the time the PAYT takes effect.

According to the city, residents who will still need additional trash volume will continue to be able to purchase overflow bags, as well as be able to lease additional 64-gallon trash and 96-gallon recycling carts from. The contracted monthly rates for additional carts will be about $12 per trash cart and about $6 per recycling cart.

“We know that most of what we throw away isn’t trash, most of it is compostable and recyclable,” McGivern said. “So we are changing the structure of Medford’s collection program to prioritize composting and recycling. By keeping food waste separate, we will also keep our recyclables cleaner so that more of them will actually be recycled.”

Earlier this year,Medford was recognized by the Northeast Recycling Council for its composting efforts and zero-waste initiatives.