South End Trash Pilot Working, Could Be Expanded

When parts of the South End began testing a new pilot trash program to restrict hours that trash sits on the street just a few months ago, there was an outcry that the new program, which limited trash hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. the night and morning before trash pickup, was unfair to residents. 

"There is no way this "pilot program" is going to be a success," wrote one commenter. "Like most people, I am not willing to lose sleep over TRASH. Maybe putting it out after 8 or even 9 pm is realistic, but 11pm is just not gonna happen."

But five months into the program and with some revisions, officials say that the targeted problems of animal scavengers, trash pickers and general mess on the streets have improved enough to continue the program and start a conversation about whether or not the program should be expanded to the rest of the neighborhood. 

The pilot program was originally developed by neighborhood associations, the South End Public Works Forum and the city of Boston to improve cleanliness on South End streets.

Under the first pilot that started on March 1st, residents who live in the area between Tremont Street, East/West Newton Street, Harrison Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue had from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. to put their trash on the curb before morning pickup. Normally, residents can put out their trash at 5 p.m. the day before. Under the revised pilot, residents can now put their trash out at 9 p.m.

"We’ve had a long term involvement with a number of the South End neighborhood groups, and one of the major issues that has been frequently discussed is about street cleanliness," said Matthew Mayrl, spokesperson for the Department of Public Works. "This was brought to us as a concept, but we took some time to think it through and talk through how we might do it  to see if we can make a dent in street cleanliness through reduced place out times."

A neighborhood meeting has been scheduled for this fall to talk about possibly expanding the program. That meeting will take place on the evening of September 11 at the South End Library. 

Have you been participating in this pilot program, and what are your thoughts? Is the annoyance of reduced trash time worth the reward of less mess on trash day? Would you want to see this program rolled out in the rest of the neighborhood? Tell us in the comments.