“Free bulk item pickup ends after this week as town transitions to fully automated trash and recycling collection“
Reading residents will see significant changes to curbside trash and recycling collection beginning July 6th, when the town officially transitions to a fully automated collection system operated by Republic Services.
The change is part of a new set of regulations announced by the Department of Public Works (DPW) and is designed to modernize the collection process through the use of truck-mounted mechanical arms. While collection days and weekly pickup schedules will remain unchanged, residents will have new requirements regarding how trash and recycling are placed at the curb.
One of the most notable changes is the end of free bulk item collection. According to the DPW, the upcoming collection week will be the final opportunity for residents to take advantage of the current free bulk pickup program before the new rules take effect. Starting July 6, all bulk item pickups must be scheduled directly with Republic Services and paid for by the resident.
Residents seeking bulk item collection after July 6 will need to contact Republic Services at 1-800-442-9006 to arrange pickup. A fee schedule for accepted bulk items is available through the DPW’s website.
Under the new system, all household trash and recycling must fit inside town-issued carts so they can be collected by automated trucks. Loose bags or containers outside of the carts will generally no longer be accepted as part of regular collection.
The town will continue to provide weekly trash and recycling pickup through Republic Services, and collection days will remain unchanged.
To accommodate households that require additional capacity, residents may lease one additional 64-gallon trash cart for $200 per year. An additional 96-gallon recycling cart may also be requested at no cost.
For occasional extra trash, the town will offer overflow bags. Residents can purchase a roll of five bags for $15 through select local retailers and the DPW office at Town Hall. The bags are intended for infrequent use and come with several restrictions. Only one overflow bag may be used per week, it must be placed on top of the trash cart for collection, and households that use a second leased trash cart during a given week are not eligible to use an overflow bag that same week.
The DPW is encouraging residents to familiarize themselves with the new regulations before the transition date. Town officials say the automated collection system will standardize curbside operations and help improve efficiency throughout the community.
Additional information regarding the new collection regulations, cart options, overflow bag requirements, and bulk collection fees is available on the Reading DPW webpage at Reading DPW.
Key Changes Beginning July 6th
- Fully automated trash and recycling collection.
- All waste must fit inside town-issued carts.
- Additional 64-gallon trash cart available for lease at $200 per year.
- Additional recycling cart available at no cost.
- Overflow bags available for purchase at $15 per roll of five bags.
- Residents must schedule and pay for all bulk item pickups through Republic Services.
- Weekly collection schedules and service provider remain unchanged.
