Winter Set-Out Tips for Curbside Trash & Recycling

As winter weather approaches, please follow these important tips for curbside trash and recycling collection:

• If snow is expected overnight, ahead of trash day, please wait to put your carts curbside until DPW has cleared the road. 
• Ensure your collection carts are free of snow and ice. The Contractor will not be able to empty carts that are buried in the snow or frozen to the ground. The same is true for overflow bags and bulky items. 
• Carts must not be placed on top of or behind snowbanks. 
• Place carts at least 2 feet away from obstacles such as snowbanks, mailboxes, utility poles, and parked vehicles. 
• Residents on private roads should make sure that the travel lane is clear and accessible to allow a large collection vehicle safe access or alternatively, bring carts to the public roadway on collection day. 
• Cart damage can sometimes happen as a result of winter weather. Contact the DPW for a repair or replacement request at trashrecycling@bedfordma.gov or (781)275-7605 x4261. 

The Town’s collection contractor will make every effort to complete scheduled collection despite winter weather. In the event of severe or dangerous weather, it may be necessary to pause or delay a collection route. This information will be posted within the Waste Wizard tool on the Trash & Recycling website at www.bedfordma.gov/recycling and sent as a service alert. 

Sign up for Service Alerts 

To receive urgent communication directly, by email or automated phone call, sign up for service alerts using the Waste Wizard tool at www.bedfordma.gov/recycling. (Click the red “get a reminder” button on the Calendar Tab.) You'll receive an address-specific email if weather conditions impact your scheduled collection services.

In the event that you experience a missed collection, be sure to report it using the “Need Help” (look for ? Tab) within the Waste Wizard tool. Reporting a miss online helps DPW keep track of collection related issues and respond quickly.