Danvers Transitions Back To Weekly Recycling Amid Trash Fee Debate

DANVERS, MA — Danvers residents can look forward to the return of weekly recycling in 2024 as they likely face a much-debated $200 trash and recycling fee set to be implemented in June.

The town said on Thursday that Town Manager Steve Bartha was able to negotiate the return to weekly recycling with the new vendor after it was switched to every other month with the start of the new contract in September.

"We recognize the importance of convenience and accessibility in fostering active participation in our recycling program," the town said in a statement, "and this adjustment aims to make recycling more accessible for all residents."

Residents in need can also now request additional carts for trash or recycling. The request must come from the property owner and can be made through the Department of Public Works.

An additional green trash cart is $160 per family annually, with an additional blue recycling cart $100. Bartha has said the additional cart offer was delayed for the first months of the new contract so residents could gauge whether they really needed them or not and did not order carts that were later returned for a refund.

Only property owners can request additional carts.

Once the request is verified, the town will process the order for additional carts. Residents will receive the new carts at their registered address. The delivery timeline may vary, but the goal is to provide them as soon as possible.

Carts will be charged as part of the quarterly water and sewer bill.

That is the same bill that will incur the $200 annual curbside pickup cost that the Select Board endorsed two weeks ago.

However, dissenting Select Board members Maureen Bernard and Matthew Duggan reiterated at this past Tuesday's meeting their desire to have the fee further debated and perhaps even come up for a vote at a special town meeting, if applicable.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)