New Recycling Compactor Unveiled at DPW Yard on James Street, Will Save the City up to Approximately $30,000 Annually

Updated February 4 at 1:56pm to add full name of DPW yard (“Alfred P. Pompeo Public Works Facility”)

New, 35-yard compactor was purchased through DEP Grant, can hold 5-7 times as much recycling as the previous bin.

The Medford DPW has a new addition to the Alfred P. Pompeo Public Works Facility on James Street to make recycling easier and more cost effective for the City and its residents. This month, a new, 35-yard compactor was installed where the previous recycling dumpster was located, at the entrance to the DPW facility. By automatically crushing materials inside the bin to provide additional space, the compactor holds more than five times what the previous bin could store at one time and will save the City up to $30,000 annually in hauling costs. The previous bin had to be hauled offsite more than 150 times each year, while the new compactor will only need to be taken offsite approximately 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. 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,” said Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koen.

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:

VIDEO: See how to load and run the compactor if it’s full.

• 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 https://www.medfordma.org/for-residents/recycling, 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 https://www.medfordma.org/for-residents/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

Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, language ability, economic situation, or immigration status.