Town to launch Pay-As-You-Throw program in July

WESTFORD — This summer, putting out the trash will cost you, as Westford implements a Pay-As-You-Throw plan.  

The program, approved by the Select Board last fall, is part of the town’s Comprehensive Waste Reduction Plan.  It aims to control rising disposal costs while encouraging waste reduction and recycling.

Under the new PAYT, curbside trash collection program, eligible households will receive a free, 35-gallon trash cart, which will be collected weekly at no charge. Households that produce more trash than fits in the cart will be required to use official town-branded PAYT overflow bags, which can be purchased from local retailers. 

How will PAYT work? 

On July 1, residents will receive new town-branded 35-gallon trash carts delivered to their homes. Residents can use regular trash bags in their carts and are only required to purchase extra PAYT-branded bags for trash that will not fit in their carts. Carts should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on each household’s regular day for weekly trash collection.

PAYT overflow bags will be sold at local retailers for $2.75 per bag and available in rolls of five for $13.75. Each 32-gallon bag can hold approximately two to three full 13-gallon kitchen trash bags. Trash should fit in bags when closed, weigh no more than 30 pounds, and may be placed at the curb on regular trash collection days. There is no limit to the number of PAYT bags residents may use each week.

Recycling services will remain unchanged. Pickup will continue to be free and unlimited; residents are encouraged to continue separating recyclable materials as usual. 

Why will Westford now use PAYT?

Town officials say the PAYT model mirrors how other utilities operate, charging residents based on usage rather than a flat fee. According to the town, trash disposal and hauling costs have continued to increase, and PAYT will help maintain current service levels without diverting tax revenue from other municipal services.

“PAYT provides a transparent, straightforward structure in which trash service costs are tied to actual use, creating a predictable, easy-to-understand system for all households,” town materials said. 

The town also pointed to the environmental benefits of PAYT, saying that PAYT programs have reduced trash tonnage while increasing recycling and composting. The program aligns with Westford’s 2025 Strategic Plan goals related to sustainability and climate action.

The PAYT program will apply to single-family homes and small multi-family properties that currently receive municipal trash collection. Commercial businesses, condominiums with private waste contracts, and multi-family buildings with four or more units will not be included.

The decision follows several years of public discussion and planning. PAYT was recommended by the town’s Budget Task Force in 2023 and identified as a strategic priority during sustainability workshops in 2024. The town also conducted multiple resident surveys and held presentations before finalizing the hybrid model.

Residents will have opportunities to learn more about the program ahead of its launch, as well. The town will host “Lunch and Learn” informational sessions at the Cameron Senior Center at ​​20 Pleasant St, on Jan. 27 and Feb. 10 at noon. Sample trash carts and PAYT bags are also on display at Town Hall. Additional updates will be shared through the Town Manager’s newsletter.

For more information, including frequently asked questions and program documents, visit the town’s website.