Bedford DPW will launch an expanded curbside food waste collection program Dec. 1. This initiative builds on a six-month pilot program and is supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Residents will be able to subscribe to a food waste collection service, on the same day as trash and recycling pickup, at a reduced cost.
According to the town, during the pilot program, residents who opted into food waste collection diverted an average of 9 1/2 pounds of food waste per household per week from their trash. This sorting resulted in a reduction in trash disposal costs of approximately $25 per year per household.
In partnership with Black Earth Compost, the town has entered a preferred vendor agreement to offer curbside food waste collection service across all of Bedford鈥檚 municipal service area. Compost collection will occur on the same day as curbside trash and recycling collection.