Spring Cleaning Starts Outdoors: Plan Ahead for Yard Waste Season

As the weather warms up, many residents turn their attention to spring cleaning and that often begins right in the yard. 

Mark Your Calendar: Curbside Yard Waste Collection

Bedford’s annual spring curbside yard waste collection begins the week of April 27. Pickup starts at 6AM on your regular trash day, with one truck servicing the entire town throughout the week until all routes are complete.

This collection is for yard waste only, including:

• Leaf litter and pine needles
• Grass clippings and general yard trimmings
• Weeds and small tree material (up to 1" in diameter)

All material should be placed at the curbside, horizontal to the road edge, in paper leaf bags or open barrels without lids. The contractor will not collect material that is not at the road edge. Material in plastic bags will be left behind. 

Please note that Christmas trees and brush are not accepted as part of this program. Residents should bring this material directly to the Bedford Recycling Center.

If you experience a missed collection, use the Recycle Coach web tool or mobile app (available on Google Play or Apple App store). Missed yard waste collection must be reported to the DPW no later than Thursday May 7.

Year-Round Option: The BRC

For more flexibility, residents can also use the Bedford Recycling Center (BRC), 108 Carlisle Road, open year-round on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The BRC is available to Bedford residents only. Resident sticker or proof of residency is required. Commercial loads and non-residents are not permitted.

At the BRC:

• Yard waste can be placed in designated composting windrows
• Place brushy material and Christmas trees in the brush pile
• Logs have a separate drop-off area

As a bonus, wood chips and finished compost produced on-site are often available free of charge for residents, on a first come, first served basis. 

A Quick Note on Stormwater Protection

Proper yard waste disposal isn’t just about convenience — it also helps protect Bedford’s waterways. Leaves, grass, and debris left in streets or near storm drains can wash into the stormwater system, contributing to flooding and water pollution. Keeping yard waste contained and using approved disposal options supports the town’s stormwater compliance efforts and keeps local waterways clean.