Trash Billing Info

HPAYT is a system where customers are billed based on their household’s trash output. Trash carts are collected by a vehicle equipped with an automated arm, which lifts the trash cart from the ground, and dumps the contents into the vehicle. If a customer has more trash than their cart can hold, plastic overflow bags, imprinted with the Town seal, are available for purchase at local retail establishments.

The first refuse bills under the new rate structure are generated on July 1, 2017. Rather than billing all customers at a flat rate of $200 per year (as Brookline residents are accustomed), each subscriber is billed in a tiered system, where the size of the trash cart they choose determines their annual refuse costs.

To change carts or see prices, check our Cart Requests & Prices page.

If a cart was not chosen by March 10, 2017, one (1) 35 gallon cart will be delivered to each unit at the residential address on file.

A: In extenuating circumstances, residents who subscribe to Town refuse collection may qualify for a Trash Cart Waiver. Waivers will be considered for residents who are unable to physically maneuver a wheeled trash cart curbside on collection day, and for residents with geographic obstacles such as multiple flights of stairs. Applications will only be considered after a required inspection by a Sanitation Division supervisor.

Trash Cart Waiver application

A: Subscribers may purchase plastic overflow bags (30 gallon/25 lbs. capacity) imprinted with the Town seal at local retail establishments. This is the only bag permissible for trash collection. Overflow bags are sold in a roll containing 5 bags for $18.50.

Bulky items (furniture, mattresses, TVs, appliances, etc.) are collected on the regular trash day, by appointment only. Customers must call (617) 730-2156 and schedule any and all bulky item pickups at least one week ahead in advance. Any item that is not scheduled will be left curbside, and the resident will be issued a violation notice.

A: Residents of, and commercial businesses operation in, Brookline may sign up for Town refuse collection at any time. The application procedure follows:

1. Obtain a Refuse Agreement Application:
   1. Email Refuse Billing at [email protected] and include New Refuse Account Request in the subject line.
   2. Visit the DPW Administration Office located on the 4th floor of the Brookline Town Hall, at 333 Washington Street.
   3. Download an Application from the Public Works page.
2. Fill out a Refuse Agreement Application, and return it to the DPW office on the 4th floor, at the Brookline Town Hall either in person, by mail, or via email. See application for details.
   1. Include a letter from current trash collection company indicating cancellation of service, and the date of cancellation.
   2. Processing of the application may take up to 30 days. The DPW will deliver, to the residential address, the recycling and trash carts chosen on the application by the customer.

A: New subscribers to Town Refuse Collection choose carts on the Refuse Agreement Application.

Existing subscribers should visit our Cart Request page for more on swapping carts.

A: Town refuse collection customers are assessed at an annual rate, broken down into four (4) quarterly payments. Billing invoices are generate on the first day of the following months: July, October, January, April.

A: This question is difficult to answer, as each resident has their own habits to consider. DPW suggests keeping track of the number of trash bags placed at the curb each week, and using the following chart above as a decision-making guide.

Call 617-730-2156 or email Department of Public Works at [email protected] to coordinate pickup of your old waste bin or barrel.

Yes. Subscribers may make changes to their recycling and/or trash cart(s) once a year. Any changes to trash cart sizing, or additional carts ordered, will be reflected in the quarterly bill immediately following the change to the account. Subscribers may add an additional recycling cart to their refuse account without increasing their annual refuse costs.

Please email [email protected] to request trash or recycling carts.

Questions and concerns regarding the status of a cart order should be directed to (617) 730-2156 or [email protected].

The DPW understands these concerns, and has taken steps to alleviate them:

• All black trash carts have a serial number printed on the front panel of the container. Records are kept concerning which serial numbers are connected to each Town Refuse account.
• The Sanitation department will perform periodic spot checks to ensure that customers are using the trash cart they ordered.
• If a cart goes missing, the Sanitation Department will investigate, and attempt to locate the cart.

Whenever possible, subscribers should secure their trash and recycling carts inside a garage, behind a fence, or in another location on their property. Subscribers may choose to apply stickers (such as those used on mailboxes) indicating their address on the top of their recycling and trash carts.

Contact the DPW Admin Office at (617) 730-2156 to report missing carts.

A: Brookline condo associations, property owners, landlords, and property managers are responsible for placing recycling and trash cart orders.

• The minimum rate for each unit at any given property is $230 per year. Multi-unit properties must select a minimum of one (1) trash cart per account. These properties may choose any combination of trash carts to contain refuse for the building, but will not pay less than the sum of $230 multiplied by the number of units at the property. 
  
  For example: A 3-unit property may choose a 95 gallon trash cart to cover their building. Their annual rate is ($230) x (3 units) = $690.
• Any applicable Cart Service Fees will be billed to the refuse account, not to the residential unit.