The Department of Public Works is relocating all drop-off sites for residential cardboard recycling to the Compost Center at 108 Carlisle Road.
Starting this Saturday, January 16, the Compost Center will be open every other Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to cardboard, residents can bring yard waste and brush. Starting January 20, the Compost Center will be open every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“The program is very successful due to the overwhelming the response of residents,” said Ed McGrath, Bedford’s Recycling Coordinator. “But, having residents come to the DPW’s Great Road location has raised numerous safety issues.”
“To alleviate the risk of an accident at the DPW, we decided the best alternative was offering cardboard recycling to residents at the Compost Center,” McGrath added. “This will also allow residents to drop off yard waste and brush.”
Depending on the response of residents, the DPW will consider opening the Compost Center on additional Saturdays in February and March. The remaining 2021 schedule will be announced at a later date. Also, if there is inclement weather and the DPW is treating or plowing the roads in Town, the Compost Center will be closed.
The cardboard containers at the DPW and behind the Library will be removed February 1.
Corrugated cardboard boxes must be flattened and all packing material removed and disposed of in the trash. The DPW does not offer Styrofoam recycling at this time and Styrofoam should not be placed in recycling carts.
Per state regulations, yard waste is prohibited from regular trash. Residents may either compost yard waste on their own property or bring the yard waste to the Compost Center where it will be turned into loam products for DPW projects.
Acceptable yard waste consists of leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, garden trimmings, weeds and tree material up to one inch (1”) in diameter. Tree limbs more than one inch (1”) in diameter can be placed in the brush pile. Only paper biodegradable bags, available at a variety of stores, are allowed to be dropped off. Residents should empty plastic trash bags or containers of yard waste and bring them home for reuse.
The DPW urges residents to properly dispose of leaves and yard waste, and to not dump leaves in wetlands or waterways. Also, the DPW asks residents to keep storm drains clear of leaf litter and pine needles. Fallen leaves are loaded with natural fertilizer and are a source of stormwater pollution.
The Compost Center is open to Bedford residents only. Resident stickers will be available on Wednesdays.
Correction—Jan. 14, 2021: The Compost Center will be open until 2:30 pm on Wednesdays, not to 1:30 as originally posted in the text.
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