FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
 Liz Antanavica
 Trash & Recycling Administrator
 Town of Bedford, DPW
 (781) 275-7605 x4261
 trashrecycling@bedfordma.gov

Date: 10/28/2024

DPW Begins Curbside Food Waste Collection Pilot Program 

Bedford, MA – The Bedford Department of Public Works is excited to announce a new curbside food waste collection pilot program to better understand resident interest and willingness to divert food waste from the trash. This initiative will provide free weekly food waste collection service to up to 480 households in the Bedford Gardens and Meadowbrook/Birchwood neighborhoods.

The pilot program is designed to gather insights into resident behavior regarding the diversion of food waste from traditional trash disposal. As municipalities look to expand food waste programs, it is important for Bedford to understand what the level of participation might be in a larger food waste program. The State of Massachusetts, through the Waste Disposal Ban, already prohibits the disposal of food waste in traditional trash for some large generators, including Bedford High School and JGMS. Participants in the pilot program are anticipated to divert approximately 8-10 pounds of food waste per household each week, which would reduce the overall volume of weekly waste material sent to incineration. This program is funded, in part, by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Enviornmental Protection. 

Food waste is a valuable resource when kept separate from household trash. The carbon and nitrogen rich food waste breaks down through natural decomposition to create finished compost, which can be used to enrich farm and garden soil and grow more food. Compost added to soils also increases water holding capacity, decreases erosion and stormwater runoff and sequesters carbon in the soil. 

Key Program Details:

• Who: Up to 480 households in Bedford Gardens and Meadowbrook/Birchwood neighborhoods.
• What: Free weekly curbside collection of food waste.
• Goal: Understand and encourage food waste diversion among residents.
• Duration: 6 months, beginning Dec 4, 2024, with analysis following the pilot phase.

Residents in the targeted neighborhoods were sent more information by physical mail in late September. There is still time to register! To participate, return the postage-paid yellow post card that was sent to you before November 12th. To sign up, please visit www.blackearthcompost.com. If you need assistance, please contact the DPW. Collection carts will be distributed to participating residents in mid-November. 

Interested in participating but not living in one of the target neighborhoods? Bedford residents who would like to divert food waste from the trash can take advantage of several existing programs, including free community food waste drop off program, free starter kits for curbside service and reduced cost backyard compost bins. Please visit  https://www.bedfordma.gov/484/Food-Waste to learn more. 

For questions or more information about the program, please contact Liz Antanavica, Trash & Recycling Administrator, at (781) 275-7605 x4261 or via email at trashrecycling@bedfordma.gov.