WESTFORD CENTER — Households eligible for the town’s new Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program received their 35-gallon trash carts this week.
Delivery of new curbside carts was scheduled ahead of the July 6 launch of the PAYT program. The initiative is part of the town’s Comprehensive Waste Reduction Plan, approved by the Select Board in November 2025.
Residents are asked to use the online Cart Eligibility Tool to confirm their household’s eligibility and ensure the correct number of carts has been assigned to their property. Eligible properties include single-family homes and small multi-family properties on municipal trash pickup. Residents whose information is accurate do not need to take any further action.
Under the PAYT program, eligible households will receive one town-issued 35-gallon trash cart at no charge. The cart will be collected weekly, as part of the town’s basic curbside trash service. Residents who generate more trash than what will fit in the cart will be required to purchase official town-branded PAYT overflow bags.
The overflow bags can be purchased from local retailers and will cost $2.75 each and be sold in rolls of five for $13.75. According to the town’s PAYT website, a 32-gallon overflow bag can hold approximately two to three full 13-gallon kitchen trash bags. There is no limit on the number of overflow bags households may place at the curb for collection.
Recycling services will remain unchanged, with unlimited recycling collection continuing at no cost.
Savings galore
Westford recently received a $255,000 grant through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Program to support the implementation of PAYT. Officials said the funding will help cover startup costs, including the purchase and distribution of the new trash carts.
The PAYT system is designed to encourage waste reduction, increase recycling, reduce reliance on the property tax levy and align disposal costs more closely with individual household usage. The town has also cited rising trash disposal and hauling costs as a major factor behind the change.
“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,” according to the town website.
There are environmental benefits as well, since PAYT programs have been shown to reduce trash tonnage while increasing recycling and composting. The initiative aligns with sustainability and climate action goals outlined in the town’s strategic plan.
The transition to PAYT has been under discussion for several years. The concept was first recommended by the town’s Budget Task Force in 2023 and later identified as a strategic priority during sustainability workshops in 2024. The town also conducted resident surveys and public presentations before ultimately adopting what officials describe as a hybrid PAYT model.
The program also overcame a challenge at Annual Town Meeting in March. Voters rejected a citizen petition seeking to rescind the Select Board’s decision and restore the previous trash collection system.
The petition prompted discussion about the program’s impact on larger households, the reduction in trash capacity from 96 gallons to 35 gallons, and the cost of overflow bags.
Town officials responded that the hybrid system is intended to move Westford toward a more efficient, automated collection model, while preserving basic curbside service. Officials estimated the change could shift between 65% and 75% of trash collection to automated pickup and help position the town for more competitive waste hauling bids in the future.
Following the discussion, Town Meeting voters rejected the petition by a vote of 153-77, allowing implementation of the program to proceed as planned.
According to the town website, the system will help maintain current trash collection services while generating revenue to support recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
PAYT overflow bags will be available through several area retailers, including Ace Hardware on Groton Road, Mackay Ace Hardware on Littleton Road, Market Basket at Cornerstone Square, Big Apple Market & Deli on Littleton Road and Nab One Stop on Brookside Road.
Residents seeking additional information about the program, cart delivery or eligibility requirements may visit the town’s PAYT webpage or contact the Town Manager’s Office.
