Fall 2024 Curbside Yard Waste Collection Begins Week of November 11
Bedford’s Fall curbside yard waste collection begins the week of November 11th. Yard waste will be collected on three routes in November, excluding the week of Thanksgiving - Nov 11*, 18 and Dec 2. Please note that Nov 11th, collection will begin on Tuesday due to the observance of Veterans Day.
*UPDATE: Based on earlier than expected leaf drop and high volumes already present at the curbside, the Contractor will also be in Town on Monday Nov 11th to collect material present at the curbside.
Residents should place all yard waste curbside in tall paper bags or open barrels without lids by Sunday evening each week. The Town’s Contractor will begin collection each week on trash day and work to complete the route as soon as possible. Collection timing may vary based on the volume of material set out at the curbside on a given week.
Acceptable yard waste includes:
- Leaves & pine needles,
- Grass clippings, garden trimmings & weeds
- Small sticks or tree material up to one inch (1”) in diameter.
Yard waste in plastic bags will be left behind. Collected material is brought to the Town’s Compost Center. Please NO stones, trash, or other non-compostable debris. The contamination-free material is essential to creating a quality finished soil product.
Residents can also bring yard waste directly to the Compost & Recycling Center, 108 Carlisle Rd, on Wednesdays (8 AM to 1 PM) and Saturdays (8 AM to 1 PM). A resident sticker is required. Stickers are available during business hours at the DPW, 314 Great Rd, with proof of residency. Please bring your vehicle registration when requesting a sticker.
Close the loop on your yard waste efforts - Finished compost that is created from the collected yard waste and made available to residents for free near the entrance to the Compost Center. Bring your own bucket! Material is generated on site from collected yard waste and is not tested for quality or contaminants.
A Note About Pumpkins - Pumpkins are much better composted than thrown in the trash. Bedford Mother’s Out Front and the Energy and Sustainability Committee are hosting an annual Pumpkin Smash composting event. Bring your unpainted, glitter-free, natural pumpkins to the event, smash them up and learn about food waste composting. Learn more here: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2024/10/smash-em-dont-trash-em-3rd-annual-pumpkin-smash-set-for-nov-2/
Where: John Glen Middle School Parking Lot
When: Saturday November 2nd (2-4PM)
Bedford’s Stormwater team wishes to remind residents that Bedford’s drains are just for rain! The storm drains in the street bring untreated water directly to our rivers and streams.
Help protect our watershed with these helpful tips:
- Remove leaves and grass clippings from pavement and clear leaves from storm drains to prevent flooding.
- Consider mulching leaves in place with your lawnmower to put valuable nutrients back into the soil.
- Gather leaves and other yard waste into a compost pile, let overwinter and decompose and then use as fertilizer next growing season.
- Bag leaves for collection or bring them to the Town Compost Center.
- Reminder: Yard waste should not be placed in or adjacent to any wetlands.
Learn more about Bedford’s Stormwater Management Program at www.bedfordma.gov/dpw/stormwater or email: StormWater@bedfordma.gov