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Worcester to switch curbside recycling to biweekly pickup starting July 1; rate to drop to $17/month
Summary
City announced a switch to biweekly curbside recycling starting July 1 after contractor analysis and a public poll; officials said the change will lower resident rates to $17 per month and a web-based map will show residents which week their recycling is collected.
City staff reported that Worcester will switch curbside recycling collection from weekly to biweekly beginning July 1. Officials said the change is based on contractor data indicating many households underuse weekly pickup and on a city poll of residents.
A city representative explained the analysis: about 62% of households previously set out recycling weekly and many used only part of a bin. A public poll with roughly 493 responses showed 72% of respondents supported or were neutral toward moving to biweekly pickup; 72% also indicated it would have little or no impact on their household.
City staff said the new rate for participating households will decrease to $17 per month. To help residents adjust, the city and GIS staff have developed an address-based map (embedded on the city website) that will indicate whether an address is on "week 1" or "week 2"; the map will list pickup dates for 18 months. The city also reminded residents of two drop-off locations for additional recycling: a drop-off behind Buehler's Milltown and a second set of collection bins behind the OARDC building on Selby Road.
Ending: The program launches July 1; the city will publish the web map and push outreach on social media and provide phone support for residents with questions.
