Trash Disposal in Weston: Public or Private?

I am dedicating this blog to homeowners who are new to Weston and are considering which type of trash disposal to use. It's a question that I often hear from buyers; "What are the options for trash pick-up?"  And so I wanted to give a brief synopsis of Weston's public and private trash disposal scenarios....

If you remember my blog from over a year ago, Loving the Dump in Weston, you'll have a pretty strong idea for which trash disposal system I use – public trash pick-up, a.k.a., the Weston Transfer Station, or as most people like to call it, The Weston Dump. Here are some of the specifics about Weston's public trash disposal system:

• The transfer station is located at 195 Church Street, right near the Kendal Green train station. Should you need to reach someone there, the phone number is 781-899-2350.
• Its days of operation and hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Local residents pay $215 for a permit sticker (or $17.92/month) and $27 for an additional permit sticker, and these can be purchased at the Weston Town Hall. Currently given that we are almost halfway through the year, the permits are being sold at a prorated price of $150. The year runs from October 1 - September 30 of the following year*.
• You can dispose of trash, plastic, bottles, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, various bulk waste items, leaves, grass, brush and logs, and you can bring/use any containers or trash bags of your preference.
• There is a shed on the premises where you can "shop" for gently-used toys, books, stuffed animals, bikes, stereo equipment and more.  The kids love this. You can leave your gently-used items that you no longer use there as well.
• And you can donate clothing and household goods for Pine Street Inn and Goodwill Industries.

On the other hand, here are the some of the specifics about private trash disposal in Weston:

• BFI is one of the service providers for Weston through Allied Waste Services of Tyngsboro, 978-649-7564.
• The pick-up day in Weston is Thursday, and trash is picked up every week. In terms of recyclables, bottles, cans and plastic are picked up one week, and cardboard the next. This schedule alternates through the month.
• The cost** of trash pick-up is $67/month, recycling is $2.25/month and there is a quarterly fuel and environmental fee of approximately 15 percent.
• You can use your own containers or BFI can provide you with containers for a one-time delivery fee of $15.

As I mentioned above, I use the public trash disposal option. I like that I can go to the dump four days of the week and that it is a less expensive alternative. I also enjoy the cathartic feeling I get after going to the dump — I feel lighter and more organized. There is also a fun, social aspect in journeying to the dump as I always seem to run into someone I know. That being said, I will say that a trip to the dump does take some time — between loading and unloading the trash into and out of your car and driving there and back. For me because I live on the other side of town, a dump run can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. And so I must admit that there is something to be said for leaving your trash out on a Thursday morning and going on with the rest of your day....

What are your thoughts?  Are you someone who prefers the public method of trash disposal or private trash pick-up?  I can't wait to hear....

* There is talk that Weston may implement a Pay-As-You-Throw Program next year....  Let's keep our eyes and ears peeled for more information on that program as it becomes available.

** Note that this is what was quoted to me on March 16, 2012.  Prices are subject to change, so please call to get the specific cost information for trash pick-up at your home.