TRASH TALK: As the 2025 Fiscal Year ends, the town changes companies in hopes of saving money on trash recycling and hauling services

By Mark E. Vogler

On July 1 – the official start of the 2026 Fiscal Year – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree announced that the town has changed its solid waste and recycling hauling services. Monday (June 30) marked the final day of service with the town’s hauler, Republic Services, as the town switched to Capitol Waste Services, Inc., which is located at 1222 Bennington St., East Boston.

“The Town of Saugus appreciates the patience and understanding of our residents over the past several years as we navigated challenges with trash and recycling pickup,” Crabtree said in a statement issued by his office and later posted on the Town of Saugus website.

“Moving forward with Capitol Waste Services represents not only a significant financial savings for Saugus taxpayers but also an opportunity to improve the delivery and reliability of these essential services,” Crabtree said.

This decision also comes as Republic Services faces ongoing public news reports of potential labor strikes and service disruptions, according to the Town Manager’s Office. “Overall, we believe this move is in the best interest of the Town of Saugus and our residents,” Crabtree said.

In addition, town officials are looking at switching to an automated trash and recycling collection system within the next few years. “The Town’s goal is to maintain the current manual collection services initially, and ensure that white goods collection, recycling frequency and method, leaf collection, and other related services will continue in the same manner as residents are accustomed to, while planning an educational and informational campaign over the next year, which will give us more time for careful planning and is a positive step forward for our community as we prepare for a future transition to automated waste collection services,” Crabtree said.

Residents are advised that some initial growing pains may occur during the transition period, according to the town manager. “We ask for your continued patience and understanding as we work closely with Capitol Waste Services to ensure a smooth transition,” Crabtree said.

“We are confident that this change will lead to better, more consistent service for all residents, provide significant financial savings for taxpayers, and address the things that matter most to our community,” Crabtree added.

In the coming days and weeks, additional information will be provided to residents regarding service details and updates. Residents with any questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Director of Solid Waste and Recycling Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 or sb*****@*******ma.gov.

“Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we work to enhance our community’s solid waste and recycling services,” the town manager said.

No information was available at press time on any specific timetable or cost estimate for the town’s transition to an automated trash and recycling collection system. But at this year’s Annual Town Meeting in May, the town created the framework for a transition by unanimous approval of the Solid Waste, Trash and Recycling Modernization Bylaw, which Crabtree had introduced. Town Meeting also voted to appropriate $1.5 million to support the bylaw should Saugus adopt an automated trash system.

In Massachusetts and across the country, many waste management companies are transitioning from traditional manual rubbish and recycling collection pickup to automated collection technology. The town manager and Trash and Recycling Hauling Committee have been meeting and discussing the benefits of moving to an automated trash and recycling collection system that many communities credit for boosting resident participation in recycling programs, redirecting more waste materials away from incinerators and landfills and resulting in cleaner streets.

A major concern this year was escalating costs of trash and recycling collection. The Total DPW waste collection and disposal expenses increased by $1.6 million. The incineration contract’s tipping fee is increasing in the upcoming fiscal year as well. In addition, the cost of disposal of recyclable materials continues to increase and has been impacted with contamination charges.