DPW: Solid Waste

The Sanitation Division plays an important role in maintaining a clean, healthy city through weekly curbside pickup of solid waste and recycling from residential areas, public buildings, and schools. This service is provided on a contract basis. Solid Waste also collects bulky waste such as white good items from residents who schedule collection and pay a service fee for each item removed. As part of this program, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from certain appliances are removed, and metals and electronics are recycled. These programs support the City’s rodent control, cleanliness, and environmental management efforts.

Additionally, the Sanitation Division offers Yard Waste collection, TVs, and computer monitors pickup for electronic recycling, and a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal program. Residents can drop off their yard waste, electronic waste (e-waste), Tires, and Car Batteries at the DPW yard during regular business hours, with proof of residency. To maintain the uniformity of the trash and recycling carts, the Sanitation department offers 64-Gallon black carts for trash and blue carts for recycling. Somerville DPW also offers a curbside Textile recycling program for its residents.

Goal 1: Decrease turnaround time to deliver new and replacement residential trash and recycling carts to 10 business days.

• Service request time to close for trash and recycling cart-related requests.

Goal 2: Revise trash and recycling cart policy to be more equitable and make it easier for residents to obtain new and replacement carts.

• Publish an updated policy.

Goal 3: Work with the School Department and OSEE to provide composting and recycling of food services at all schools.

• Number of schools using the composting and recycling food service.