Trash just got pricier in this small town
If you live in Townsend, Massachusetts, your garbage day is about to change — and become more expensive. As of September 1, residents must sign up for the town’s Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program or risk losing curbside pickup.
The new law means households now pay an annual fee to participate in the curbside trash and recycling service:
- Single-family homes: $125
- Two-family homes: $200
- Three-family homes: $300
Townsend, home to about 9,300 people, says the goal is to encourage responsible trash disposal and boost recycling efforts.
How the program works
The PAYT program requires residents to do more than just write a check. Eligible households must also pick up yellow trash and recycling stickers to place on their property. Without them, your trash might not get collected.
To make it easier, residents can:
- Get stickers in person at the Board of Health office.
- Pre-pay online by scanning a QR code, then collect the stickers later.
But that’s not all. You’ll also need to purchase special purple trash bags to use for disposal:
- 33-gallon bags: $3.50 each (sold in 5-packs).
- 15-gallon bags: $2.25 each (sold in 10-packs).
The bags are available at six local stores, including Walgreens, both Hannaford locations, and McNabb’s Pharmacy.
What’s not allowed at the curb
The new program comes with some strict rules. According to town officials:
- Rolling toter bins can’t sit at the curb with trash bags inside them.
- Loose plastic bags and Styrofoam can’t be thrown in the purple recycling bags.
- Recycling is mandatory for everyone — including schools and businesses.
These rules are meant to cut down on waste, improve recycling, and keep trash trucks running efficiently.
Who doesn’t qualify?
Not every resident can sign up. Businesses, condominiums, and apartment complexes with more than four units aren’t eligible for PAYT. They’ll need to arrange their own trash removal.
If you have questions, the town says to call the Board of Health at 978-597-1700 or check the full curbside schedule on Townsend’s official website.
Why the change now?
Townsend leaders say this program will help cover rising waste-disposal costs while making sure residents pay their fair share. By charging per bag, the town hopes people will throw away less and recycle more.
It’s also a trend happening in other U.S. towns — as waste costs climb, local governments are looking for ways to manage both trash and budgets.
Another law brings big checks for Texas families
While Townsend residents pay more to toss garbage, some Texans are about to see extra money. A new law in Texas, also effective September 1, offers education savings accounts worth up to $30,000 for families with children in private school, especially students with disabilities.
- Families homeschooling can get up to $2,000.
- Families sending kids to private school can get at least $10,000, and up to $30,000 for children with special needs.
- The funds will start flowing in the 2026-2027 school year.
This is part of a broader wave of new laws passed in Texas — more than 800 took effect this Labor Day.
The bottom line
In Townsend, trash now comes with a price tag: $125 to $300 per year, plus the cost of purple bags. In Texas, meanwhile, some families are getting ready for a future payout of thousands of dollars to help cover education costs.
Whether it’s managing garbage or funding schools, September 1 is a day of big changes in different corners of the U.S.
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