Lexington waste collection and disposal costs have risen 67% in the past five years; the average household now pays $143 more per year through taxes than it did in FY22 (source: lexingtonma.gov). Those costs are expected to accelerate, as Massachusetts landfills reach capacity and close, forcing communities to transport waste out of state at an even higher cost per ton. Every dollar spent collecting and hauling away trash comes out of the same budget that funds schools, libraries, and public safety. A ‘no’ vote does nothing to relieve that pressure; it simply leaves the problem to grow until we are forced to raise taxes or cut services.

The average Lexington household throws away nearly 1,400 pounds of trash a year, and roughly 500 pounds of it is food waste that could be composted. Our trash is still 23% recyclable and 38% compostable (source: Lexington’s Waste Reduction Task Force). This sounds like a problem, but it is actually an opportunity to reduce both trash and cost. According to MassDEP, communities with volume-based fee structures generate 32% less trash annually than communities without such a program. 

The surest way to lower collection and disposal costs is to reduce the amount of trash, and the surest way to do that is to give people a financial incentive to minimize their trash. A ‘yes’ vote affirms Town Meeting’s amendment of Chapter 90-9, which permits the Select Board to impose reasonable fees for waste disposal. Every household receives a baseline (one trash cart) still supported by taxes. Only trash above the baseline carries a fee; a modest one, judging by other towns that use this approach. For example, in Arlington you can buy overflow bags at local stores for $3/bag. Unlimited recycling and composting will continue to be covered through property taxes. The town pays to dispose of every ton of trash, so less trash volume means lower overall costs for the community.

The choice before Lexington voters on June 16 is not “free trash versus paid trash.” It is whether we manage our rising waste costs proactively, or absorb them later through higher taxes and cuts to the services we depend on.

Please vote YES on June 16.

Eran Strod 

Town Meeting Member, Precinct 6

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