Natick next month expects to modernize its bulk curbside pickup program with new pricing and online ordering.
Natick Department of Public Works’ Bill Spratt says the longtime bulk recycling system has been around for years but hasn’t been keeping up with the times. In fact, it operates at a slight loss, in part because fees have remained the same and costs for processing some materials has risen.
The new plan floated past and approved by the Select Board will bring the program online, rather than requiring people to come down to the DPW and pay by cash or check.
The DPW will boil down pricing to 5 items—big or small—for $50 per pickup, with some exceptions, whereas the current minimum pickup is $25. The DPW did analysis of current pickups to come up with the new pricing. Often the DPW goes out to fetch single items at homes, and that’s inefficient.
Monday will remain bulk pickup day.
Some items, such as construction materials, fence posts and items (say, pianos and hot tubs) that 2 people can’t reasonably be expected to lift into a pickup truck, will no longer be accepted under this program. Certain items, such as TVs, appliances and mattresses, will cost extra, as they do now.
The DPW is trying to get out of “acting like a dumpster for some people,” Spratt says, when they just leave out large piles of junk that don’t fit into typical trash or recycling bags.
More details to come as the plan firms up.
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Now what do I do with my “ large piles of junk that don’t fit into typical trash or recycling bags.”
Exactly, what indeed!! I’ve heard (from a local private waste company) that the town makes a good return on PAYT system, a trash collection fee that used to come out of our town tax, but now we pay additional out-of-pocket…
“Bulk recycling operates at a slight loss” a slight loss should not mean a $25 increase to $50 for bulk pickup!
ALSO, The Natick DPW typically whines here that they are “trying to get out of “acting like a dumpster for some people,” Spratt says, when they just leave out large piles of junk that don’t fit into typical trash or recycling bags.” What do you think bulk pickup is?
Recycling is barely open! Some towns do a fabulous job taking everything!
I agree, options for residents are in short supply. I can’t even get rid of shredded paper, surely that’s a recyclable. How can town residents help the town do more?
Money losing system? WTH? I thought waste management was a public service provided to citizens- you know, so we don’t have waste piled up everywhere. Natick makes it really hard to get rid of trash compared to other towns. For example Marshfield is smaller in population but pays similar tax rates. They are allowed one 35 gal bin and one bulk item per pick up. Anything over is PAYT. so tired of getting nickel and dined for everything by this town.