Updates from the Rutland Square Association

Editor's Note: The following is from the Rutland Square Association

In Cooperation With South End Neighborhoods, City Launches Enhanced Trash Violation Enforcement Initiative

Several Additional Trash Management Initiatives/Changes Are Being Discussed

Year after year, the number one consistent complaint of South End residents is the twice weekly nightmare that is how trash is put out for pick-up, how long trash sits on our streets, how it is collected, and what our streets and sidewalks look like after trash has been picked up. 
The South End Forum, representing South End neighborhood associations, has been working cooperatively with our city partners in Public Works, Inspectional Services, Code Enforcement, and others to launch a series of improvements/initiatives to begin to seriously address the problem throughout the South End.

Foretold Is Forewarned: It all Begins This Week

Starting this week, the Inspectional Services Commissioner has authorized the Code Enforcement Division to “target” the South End for enhanced enforcement of code violations involving trash. By far, the violation notice issued most often is for improperly secured trash--everything from trash placed out for collection in Trader Joe or Whole Foods bags (where recyclables or trash), to pizza boxes placed out unsecured and leaning against trash bags. Last Tuesday 150 violation notices were issued in the South End alone in one day.

Here Are the Trash "Put-Out"and "Packaging" Basics

All trash placed for collection MUST be secured in either a heavy mil (2 ply according to the regs, NOT flimsy easily ripped plastic) sturdy black/white plastic bag. Recyclables MUST be placed in a CLEAR plastic bag. No longer will plastic grocery store bags, Trader Joe, Whole Foods or other paper bags be acceptable for on street placement of either recyclables or trash. Ignore this rule at your peril, since this is the key focus area for violation notices. You will be ticketed simply for using a Whole Foods bag rather than a secured non-grocery store plastic bag, no kidding.

No "unsecured" trash may be put out for pick up including boxes that held your latest delivery from Amazon or Fruit of the Month and is now filled with trash sitting on the sidewalk. Boxes must be broken down and either bagged together with your recycle materials in clear plastic or tied together with string if you're putting out multiple boxes. No unsecured packing materials such as styrofoam or other packing materials can be put out unbagged. No pizza boxes can be tucked beside or thrown near trash or set against a light-pole (they must be bagged). 

Although current regulations (which we hope to change) allow for trash to be placed on the street or alley after 5 PM on the day before pick-up, the Rutland Square Association urges neighbors to refrain from placing their trash out until the MORNING OF PICK UP (Tuesday or Friday by 7 AM). This prevents multiple trash picking opportunities overnight and helps to reduce rodent foraging. In any event, trash placed out before 5 PM the day before pick up will earn you a violation notice. Similarly, if you place trash out after it has been picked up, you'll get a ticket. The Rutland Square neighborhood has abandoned the use of the small blue bins for recyclables, so please only use clear plastic bags.

Bottom line:  Only heavy durable black/white plastic bags (or covered trash barrels) are allowed for on-street or alley pick up of trash. Recyclables should all be bagged in clear plastic bags. Nothing should be placed out for pick up unsecured in a proper bag. Period.  The current rules regarding the proper storage of trash are readily available at the City’s website,www.cityofboston.gov/trash regulations.