Updated Compost/Recycling Center Hours and Curbside Yard Waste Collection

~ Submitted by Elizabeth Atanavaca, Bedford’s Recycling Administrator

Compost! ~ Courtesy image (c) 2022 all rights reserved

Editor’s Note: Announcing the spring hours for the Compost/Recycling Center on Carlisle Road and curbside yard waste pick-up.

The DPW has announced the Spring Compost & Recycling Center schedule. The site, located at 108 Carlisle Rd, will continue to be open to residents every Wednesday and every other Saturday, from 8 AM until 1 PM, with extended hours on Saturdays in May.

Yard waste, cardboard, and glass for recycling as well as batteries, bulbs, and other mercury-containing items are accepted at the site year-round. Resident access stickers are required. Stickers can be obtained at the DPW, 314 Great Rd, during business hours. Please bring your vehicle registration and driver’s license or utility bill as proof of residency when requesting a sticker.

Residents may also take home finished compost and wood chips from the Compost Center.

When available, these materials are located to the left of the site when approaching the exit. The material is generated from what residents bring to the site. The finished compost is sifted, but not tested for quality or contaminants.

Yard waste is prohibited from regular trash per the MassDEP solid waste disposal ban.

Republic Services may reject any trash carts that contain yard waste or tree material. Residents may compost yard waste on their own property, bring the material to the Compost & Recycling Center, or put it curbside for collection on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

Acceptable material includes leaves, pine needles, grass clippings garden trimmings weeds and tree material up to one inch (1”) in diameter. Materials should be placed in paper yard waste bags or open barrels that are clearly marked “yard waste”. Residents should avoid using old rectangular recycling bins for curbside yard waste as these can be difficult for the drivers to identify. No plastic bags of any kind will be accepted. Curbside yard waste should be placed out for collection on Monday evening, April 18^th.

Republic Services will begin collecting the yard waste route on Tuesday, April 19^th. It may take several days to get to everyone in Bedford. If your yard waste has not been collected by Friday, April 22^nd, please call the DPW at (781)275-7605 and leave a message with the Recycling Administrator.

For those interesting in learning more about backyard composting, Bedford Mother’s Out Front will be hosting a “Learn to Compost” Earth Day event, on the green space outside the Bedford Free Library on Saturday, April 23^rd, from 11 AM-2 PM. The Bedford DPW has backyard compost bins available for residents to purchase. Each bin is $45 and includes a free counter-top food waste collection container. To purchase a bin, visit the DPW or email [email protected]. Cash or check, made payable to “Town of Bedford,” is accepted.