Medford Residents Push Back Against Bi-Weekly Trash Pickup Plan
A controversial new waste management plan in Medford, Massachusetts, is sparking outrage among residents who fear increased rodent populations and unpleasant odors. The plan, spearheaded by Mayor breanna Lungo-Koehn, will reduce trash collection to once every two weeks, beginning July 1, 2027, despite the mayor’s recent accolades for her environmental initiatives.
The shift to bi-weekly pickup coincides with Medford receiving a $200,000 “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) grant from the Massachusetts Department of environmental Protection. Mayor Lungo-Koehn, a Democrat, framed the change as a step towards a “Zero Waste” future, stating, “We made a commitment to Zero Waste in that plan and are making it easier for Medford residents and businesses to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials to restore or renew value, eliminate waste, and decrease pollution.” She further asserted, “It’s the right move for our residents and businesses, it’s the right move for the environment, and it’s the right move for our City’s future.”
Though, the announcement has been met with meaningful resistance, particularly on social media. Residents expressed concerns about a potential surge in the city’s already existing rodent problem. “So more rats will be coming. It’s awful there are so so many rats in our neighborhood,” one resident lamented on a local Facebook page. Another resident echoed this sentiment,predicting,”The exterminators’ business will increase with rubbish removal every other week. The rats are taking over our neighborhoods.”
Beyond pest control, the prospect of accumulating refuse is also causing alarm. “Nobody wants to smell two weeks of garbage,particularly in the summer,” a concerned resident commented online. The plan will impact residents’ 64-gallon trash bins, which will now be collected half as frequently, effectively reducing service to 32 gallons per household per week to meet the state’s requirements for the PAYT grant.
Medford city Council President Zac bears has also voiced criticism, noting the way the change was communicated. According to reports from the Boston Herald, Bears stated that the details regarding the reduced pickup schedule was “buried at the bottom of the press release,” which he believes has “rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.” He further expressed skepticism about the plan’s success, saying, “I think it’s set up this program for failure as I think there’s no trust in it.”
The unveiling of the bi-weekly collection plan followed extensive promotion of its perceived benefits.As the council president pointed out, the core change was revealed after numerous paragraphs highlighting the positive aspects of the new system.
Mayor Lungo-Koehn has previously been recognized for her environmental efforts, receiving an “Outstanding Elected Leader” award from the National Recycling Coalition last July for Medford’s weekly curbside composting program. She received another award from the…
Here’s a breakdown of the answers to your questions, woven into the edited article:
* Why: The plan aims to move Medford towards a “Zero Waste” future and meet the requirements for a $200,000 “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
* Who: Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn spearheaded the plan, with support from the Massachusetts department of Environmental Protection. Opposition comes from residents and City Council president Zac Bears.
* **what
