COVID-19 Measures Require Changes in Refuse & Recycling Program

The efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 is affecting the collection of refuse and recycling in Bedford and other municipalities.

In Bedford, starting Monday, March 30, Republic Services will only empty trash carts and recycling carts. Republic Services drivers will not leave their vehicles to collect overflow trash bags or other materials left at the curb.

Republic Services is making changes to its operations to protect its employees from possible exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The Department of Public Works is working with Republic Services to ensure that refuse and recycling is removed from Bedford households.

In addition, the bulk waste collection on Mondays and the Appliance/TV collection on Wednesdays will be suspended until further notice.

Residents with questions about these changes or need to report a missed pick-uo should call Republic’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-442-9006. Any future developments will be included in Town Manager’s daily message and posted on the DPW’s website (bedfordma.gov/recycling).

The Town’s efforts to curb the spread of the COViD-19 virus requires several other changes to the Refuse and Recycling Program:

• The Compost Center at 108 Carlisle Road will not open as scheduled on April 8. It will remain closed until further notice.

• The curbside collection of yard waste was scheduled for the week of April 13-17. This collection is cancelled. When Republic Services decides to resume normal operations, a decision will be made whether or not to reschedule the collection.

• The Household Hazardous Waste event that was scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the Lexington Landfill Site on Hartwell Avenue has been canceled. The Town will update residents when the event is rescheduled.

• The Spring Recycling Event scheduled for May 2 is cancelled. Depending on restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, a decision will be made regarding rescheduling the event.