New Trash Carts Coming Next Week for Concord Residents in the Automated Collection Program

New trash and recycling carts will be delivered starting the week of June 15^th to the residential households in Concord’s pilot program for automated trash collection.

Carts may arrive at different times. Properties that have already requested alternative sizes may receive their carts from a different distribution crew than properties receiving the default sizes. Different cart sizes and types (trash or recycling) may be delivered separately. It is possible to receive only one cart at a time, or no carts right away if alternative cart sizes were requested.

“You might see your neighbors get their carts before you, but hang tight, they will come,” said Adam Clark, Administration Division Manager for Concord General Services. Cart delivery may carry over into the following week, but the plan is for all carts to be delivered before they are required for collection the week of June 29^th.

About 1/3 of Concord residents who receive curbside trash collection will be part of a two-year pilot program for trial routes as Concord transitions from manual to an automated collection. The pilot program will provide a gradual transition to automated collection that will allow time to work with residents to address concerns before the program goes citywide in July 2028.

Starting the week of June 29^th, one collection route per day will begin automated collection. An interactive, searchable curbside trash collection route map is available on the City website, highlighting in yellow which routes will be in the automated pilot program.

The trash and recycling carts will be new to Concord, but the way the City pays for this service isn’t changing. Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) trash bags are still required for curbside trash collection and must be placed inside the trash cart. PAYT trash bags cover the cost of individual solid waste collection and disposal. The carts will be monitored by the City for compliance.

Concord launched the PAYT Program in 2009 to offset rising costs of solid waste collection and disposal, creating a unit-based pricing system that allows residents to control their solid waste disposal costs directly and encourages waste reduction. The program has decreased waste by 40% in Concord. Maintaining the PAYT Program will keep solid waste volumes down and minimize overall expenses, while funding curbside collection more fairly by the user, allowing those with less trash to pay less at the curb.

Concord’s shift to automated collection originates from the City’s new contract for solid waste collection and recycling services with Casella, effective since July 1, 2024. Evolving industry standards are phasing out manual collection from the solid waste industry, with automated collection improving worker safety, increasing efficiency, and reducing operational costs.

Casella will use Automated Side Loading trucks, which will require standardized trash and recycling carts for automated collection. Residents who receive curbside trash collection will automatically receive one 95-gallon recycling cart and one 65-gallon trash cart. Multi-unit properties will receive a set of carts for each dwelling unit, up to a maximum of four sets (8 carts total), with the option for property owners to request fewer.

Different cart sizes and extra carts may be available upon request based on eligibility, availability, and funding. Larger trash carts are available to households with 5 or more people, and smaller trash and recycling carts are available to seniors ages 65 and up and to residents requiring ADA or other accommodations. Residents can also request to opt out of having any carts and choose not to participate in curbside trash collection, and arrange for other trash disposal options or bring materials to the Concord Transfer Station. Households in the pilot program may make cart requests or to opt out of collection by calling Concord General Services at 603-228-2737 or by submitting a request form on the City website using SeeClickFix or the MyConcordNH mobile app.

Carts will be delivered at no additional cost and placed in the relative location of service. Carts can be used as soon as they are delivered and will be required for collection starting June 29. All materials must fit inside the carts. Use the cart with the black lid for trash and the blue lid for recycling. Personal containers, barrels, or any materials left outside of the carts, including loose trash bags, cardboard, or other items, will not be collected.

Carts must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on a resident’s trash collection day, on a level surface with the lid opening facing the street and the handle facing the property. Place carts 3-feet apart from each other and other obstructions, such as mailboxes, utility poles, trees, and parked cars to make room for the truck arm to grab materials. A 15-foot overhead clearance is advised for overhanging wires and trees. A container placement guide can be viewed on the City website. Proper cart placement will ensure efficient curbside collection.

All carts remain the property of Casella and must remain with the property assigned. Each cart will have a serial number assigned to a specific property address. Residents are encouraged to label carts with their address using only vinyl stickers; no permanent marking with paint or markers.

Residents in the pilot program who do not wish to keep their old blue/green City recycling bin or personal trash/recycling containers may dispose of them. Curbside Old Bin Disposal will occur June 22-26, 2026, where residents may leave unwanted bins at the curb for Casella to take the week before automated collection begins. Unwanted bins must be clearly labeled with an 8.5” x 11” paper that says, “TAKE” on it. Bins will be collected in a separate trash truck on the same day as collection. Free drop off locations will also be available throughout the month of July at the Concord Transfer Station at 77 Old Turnpike Road or at Concord General Services at 311 North State Street.

“We want to make this a smooth transition,” stated Clark. “We know this might be an adjustment for some residents, and every property is different. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We are here to help.” Call Concord General Services at 603-228-2737.

Find more information, including FAQs, pilot route maps, an automated collection resource guide, alternative cart requests, and guidance on cart placement on the City website at www.concordnh.gov/automatedcollection.