City making updates to waste collection, including 6 a.m. pickup

Building on his commitment to delivering exceptional basic city services in neighborhoods throughout the City of Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a series of updates to citywide trash collection services, including a new start time of 6 a.m. beginning on July 1, and a new weekly schedule for collection services in the North End.

"One of the most fundamental ways we can improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods is by proactively addressing the basic needs of our residents," said Mayor Walsh. "It is our hope that by making these changes to our trash collection efforts, we will be able to more efficiently and more effectively meet the demand for these services and keep our neighborhoods clean for all."

As part of the City's new five-year trash contract with Capitol Waste, the City will implement a new citywide trash, recycling and yard waste collection time of 6 a.m. beginning on July 1.

With an earlier start time, workers will be able to get a jumpstart on their day-long collection efforts, removing curbside trash at an earlier time. Crews will also be able to complete all collection services more efficiently, reducing congestion on city streets during peak hours. The current citywide time for collection is 7 a.m.

In an effort to address the ongoing need for trash collection in the North End, starting on July 1, recycling and trash collection in the North End will be changed to Mondays and Thursdays. Thursday day street sweeping operation will be moved to Friday. These changes will allow the Public Works Department to make sure the streets in one of the busiest downtown neighborhoods will be clean for residents and visitors, and will make it easier for small businesses to receive deliveries in advance of the weekend. Previously, weekly North End trash collection was scheduled for Monday and Friday.

Over the last several years, the City has taken several proactive steps to ensure high-quality services for residents, including:

• Creating six full-time Hokey positions to keep sidewalks and streets clean of litter and debris. PWD also hires upwards of 20 seasonal Hokey's each year to assist with citywide neighborhood clean-up efforts.
• Moving Code Enforcement to the Public Works Waste Reduction Division to give an enforcement arm that will ensure trash collection is done well.
• Partnering with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on the "Recycle Smart" campaign. This statewide initiative focuses on placing the proper materials in the recycling bin and separating "problem materials" that cause contamination.
• Adding a second recycling day in the South End, reducing the number of overflowing bins.
• Deploying more assets through the Highway Division to ensure cleanliness.

The City of Boston encourages residents to utilize tools like the City's free "Trash Day" app. The app enables Boston residents to search a directory of hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them while on the go or at home. App users can also view a calendar for their home's collection dates, set reminders and get notifications of schedule changes.

The Boston Public Works Department (PWD) provides core services essential to neighborhood quality of life. We direct general construction, maintenance, and cleaning of approximately 802 miles of roadways throughout the City. PWD operates two major drawbridges, maintain 68,055 street lights, and supervise contracts for the removal and disposal of approximately 190.000 tons of solid waste. We also operate Boston's recycling program with an annual diversion of approximately 45,000 tons. Follow them on Twitter @BostonPWD.