For Immediate Release

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: kelsey@jgpr.net

Town of Maynard Announces Sticker Price Increase to “Pay-as-You-Throw” Trash Program

MAYNARD — Town Administrator Greg Johnson reports that the Town of Maynard is raising sticker prices for its “Pay-as-You-Throw” trash removal program.

Currently more than half of the cost of the program is subsidized by municipal tax revenue. The new rates are anticipated to reduce the percentage of the program that is tax-funded from 56% in fiscal year 2019 to a projected 18% in fiscal year 2020. Trash sticker prices have not been increased since the program’s inception in the 1990s. 

The Board of Selectmen held public hearings to discuss the potential increase on Sept. 17 and Nov. 5. The increase was approved by the Selectmen on Nov. 5. 

“The rate increase will narrow the gap between the revenue the Town’s trash removal program generates and the actual cost of running the program,” said Town Administrator Greg Johnson. “The new rate is meant to address this balance, so the trash producer pays a greater share of the cost while the taxpayer-subsidized share is reduced.”

The sticker price changes will be effective on Jan. 1, 2020, at which time residents will be required to place $2 in stickers on 15 gallon bags, $4 in stickers on 32 gallon bags and $14 in stickers on certain bulk items in order for their trash to be picked up.

Residents will have the option beginning in January to purchase orange stickers worth $4, yellow stickers worth $2 and pink stickers for $1 until the stock of those stickers runs out, but will be required to place the correct amount of stickers on their trash to meet the new prices.

Current stickers will still be accepted after Jan. 1.

Stickers are available for purchase at locations including Bud’s Variety at 180 Main St., Russell’s Convenience at 193 Main St., Corner Store at 49 Walnut St., 7-Eleven at 5 Waltham St., Maynard Town Hall at 195 Main St. and Aubuchon Hardware at 117 Great Road in Stow. 

No changes are being made to the contract and regulations in Maynard for solid waste removal; the sticker prices are the only changes being made to the program. The municipal trash pickup schedule is unchanged. 

The Town of Maynard also wishes to offer the following tips and resources to residents looking to reduce waste:

• Composting is one way residents can significantly reduce trash waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, items including food scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, nut shells, house plants, leaves, dryer and vacuum cleaner lint and more can be composted. To learn more about composting at home, click here.
• Utilizing the Town of Maynard’s curbside recycling program is also an option for reducing waste. For more information about the program, click here. 
• The Town of Maynard also offers a guide for disposing various items and materials including appliances, batteries, books, clothing, electronics, furniture, household goods and shoes, which can be accessed by clicking here. 

For more information, please visit the Town of Maynard Solid Waste and Recycling Website at www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/dpw/solid-waste-and-recycling/.

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