WESTFORD — Westford residents will soon be eligible for discounted compost pick-up right at their doorstep.
What’s in the MOU?
The Select Board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between Bootstrap Compost and the Town of Westford during a Nov. 14 meeting. The MOU allows residents to receive discounted services from the company.
The MOU creates a one-year pilot program where Bootstrap Compost is Westford’s preferred, but not exclusive, compost provider. The company already serves 45 households. The contract is effective on Dec. 1 and will expire on Nov. 30, 2024.
Bootstrap Compost will provide the town with reporting on the number of customers and the weight of material diverted from solid waste disposal, as well as at least two public informational sessions to promote the program.
The town will allow the company to promote its program through town communication channels, as well as provide “reasonable access” to public records for the company to obtain contact information for potential customers.
Why compost?
The program results from findings from the Budget Task Force and Recycling Commission, which found that Westford is 17% above the state average for solid waste collection. Currently, the town is charged $99.77 per ton of solid waste sent to Covanta for disposal, in addition to hauling costs associated with trash pick-up.
Officials hope diverting food waste from the trash will result in savings for residents and alleviate the costs of a recently approved solid waste contract with E.L. Harvey. Officials also believe that the partnership can get residents “in the habit” of separating food waste from their trash.
“More people who can compost at home may decide to adopt home composting with additional education,” Sustainability Coordinator Sue Thomas wrote in a memo to the Select Board.
Residents can purchase weekly service for $6 per week or biweekly service for $8 every other week. If Bootstrap compost receives 120 or more sign-ups, these rates will decrease to $5 a week for weekly pick-up and $7 for biweekly pick-up.
Residents who prefer at-home compost may purchase an Earth Machine compost bin for $25 at the Highway Department.
