Medford Expects To Save Thousands With New DPW Compactor

MEDFORD, MA — A new addition to the DPW yard on James Street is expected to save Medford up to $30,000 a year, city officials say. The DPW replaced its dumpster with a 35-yard recycling compactor, which automatically crushes materials to hold more than five times what the previous bin could store.

The former bin had to be hauled offsite more than 150 times each year, while the new compactor will only need to be taken offsite about 35 times per year.

The compactor was purchased using funding from a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection.

"Having an additional option for Medford residents to recycle has been incredibly valuable for the community," Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. "Thanks to the DPW team, especially Office Manager Mary Menezes, we identified a new option for recycling that saves the City – and the taxpayers – money, but also provides more reliable and efficient service for residents. It’s truly a win-win."

The recycling compactor is available to Medford residents 24/7 to dispose of excess recyclable materials, except between 5 and 7 a.m. each Wednesday when it is taken offsite and emptied by Waste Management.

How to Use the Compactor:

• Residents do not need to break up boxes before placing them inside the compactor.
• If the bin is loaded higher than the bottom edge of the door, run the compactor to create more space and avoid overfilling the bin.
• When the bin is full, residents can run the compactor by opening and closing the door three consecutive times. A sign on the compactor door provides instructions for residents’ convenience.

For a video tour, visit www.medfordma.org/departments/department-of-public-works, or follow us on Facebook (fb.com/MedfordMAofficial).

The Dos and Don'ts of Recycling:

When disposing of recyclable materials in the new compactor, you do not need to break down boxes before placing them in the compactor.

Some materials are safe for recycling, while other materials are not and will not be accepted. For a full list, refer to the Waste Management Guide that is sent to every household in the City and is also available at www.medfordma.org/departments/recycling.

Accepted items include:

• Aluminum cans & foil
• Plastic bottles & containers
• Glass bottles & containers
• Paper and cardboard (except juice, milk, or broth containers)

Items NOT accepted include:

• Styrofoam
• Plastic bags
• Hoses
• Wires
• Batteries
• Light bulbs
• Window glass
• Aerosol cans
• Chemical containers
• Electronics