Community Corner
Shrewsbury Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Bag Prices To Rise
Residents who use town trash bags will pay more for them beginning in July.
SHREWSBURY, MA — Residents who use town trash bags will pay more for them beginning in July.
The Select Board voted on June 23 to approve a 15 percent rate increase for Pay-As-You-Throw trash bags for fiscal 2027, with the new prices taking effect July 13. The increase is intended to restore the solid waste program's funding model to an even split between bag revenue and the tax levy, after lower bag revenue shifted more operating costs onto the tax levy.
New Bag Prices Begin July 13
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Under the new rates, small PAYT bags will cost $1.44 each, or $7.20 for a roll of five, according to the town. Large bags will cost $2.92 each, or $14.60 for a roll of five.
The increase amounts to 19 cents more per small bag and 38 cents more per large bag, according to the town. Based on average household use, the change is expected to cost about 40 cents more per week, or $20.52 over the year.
Find out what's happening in Shrewsburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The June 23 Select Board agenda included a review and possible vote on fiscal 2027 solid waste program rates, which had been continued from the board’s June 9 meeting.
Discounted Bags Available For Eligible Residents
Residents who qualify for personal exemptions through the Assessor’s Office can continue buying bags at last year’s rates, according to the town. Exempt rates are $1.25 per small bag, or $6.25 per roll, and $2.54 per large bag, or $12.70 per roll.
Households that qualify for personal exemptions are automatically eligible for discounted PAYT bags sold through the Department of Public Works, according to the Assessor’s Office. Qualified residents may buy one roll of small bags and one roll of large bags per month at the previous year’s rate.
Eligible exemption categories include blind residents, elderly residents, surviving spouses, minor children of a deceased parent, tax deferral applicants and veterans with service-connected disabilities, according to the town.
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