[gc2009]

Hello,

I'm just doing research for a move sometime in the future. It will have to be near the ocean (Atlantic or Pacific) so I'm researching both the Pacific Northwest (western Oregon and Washington), as well as Northern California above San Fran -- and New England! In New England, I am really interested in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The other states are absolutely beautiful as well but it may be a bit warmer in the winters in lower CT and RI. Anyway, my question is regarding trash removal, funny enough.

I've always lived in places where you don't have to pay for trash pickup. So it was a little bit of a shock to find out that some cities/states actually make you pay for that service. I read about having to hire some private company to do so. Or perhaps they have city services to pickup trash but you have to pay for it - like a water bill? Or you can take your own trash to the dump but it's $1 a bag? That sounds so weird. I suppose it would make one recycle much more, and that's a great thing. But do you have to pay to dispose of your recyclables as well? Currently, our city picks up our trash and recyclables on the same day.

I would really appreciate some more information on this, and if there is a list of which cities/towns have free trash removal (if there are any), that would be great. Not that free trash removal is tops on my list of choosing cities to live (I've already got 16 CT towns on my "it" list) - but still, paying for trash removal is very much a foreign concept to me and it would just be good to know. Any and all info is good! Oh and it would be great if I could find out what trash policies my "it" cities/towns have - I've searched on this site and googled it, but other than going to each town's website, if they have one, I couldn't find any comprehensive information (not even on Connecticut's government site).

Thanks and sorry for this lengthy post on trash.

[arielmina]

I'm in Ridgefield CT and you have to pay for your own trash removal, or take it down yourself. I'd imagine it's that way in all the smaller towns, with cities offering collection in exchange for higher taxes (you are paying for it one way or another). I pay $35 per month for weekly pickup.

[JayCT]

You will find trash pickup in the larger and more urban type communities like Hartford, New Britain, Bridgeport and New Haven. I believe West Hartford has trash pickup as well. Usually smaller towns require you to arrange for private trash removal which is about $25 to $30 per month in this area. No big deal really. Our town also offers access to a refuse facility where you can bring your garbage for a small annual fee (I think it is $80 per year). If you go to the town's website, it will usually tell you if the town picks up the trash or not. Jay

[gc2009]

Ah thanks for your replies! $35 bucks or less a month sounds pretty good. For sure, whether the city picks up the trash or you pay $30 or so bucks a month to have it done, the living seems pretty darn perfect in Connecticut. It's worth it I think.
It's definitely not a factor in our decision-making process, but it's good to know. Thanks again!

[GrotonMan]

I live in Groton, and the town is divided into the City of Groton (a small, densly populated section on the western bank of town) and the Town of Groton (the parent municipality). The city provides free trash and recyclables, but the town doesn't. In my neighborhood they pick up the recyclables on Monday, and the trash on Tuesdays and Fridays. I know that some sanitation companies participate in the Recycle Bank Program where you get credits towards rewards for the volume (by weight) that you recycle.

The fact is though, that you are going to be paying for trash removal whether directly or through taxes no matter where you live in the country.

Hope you pick Connecticut! The southeast corner is great!

[CrissCT]

I live in Burlington and the town has trash pickup service and recycling pick up, but in neighboring Harwinton I believe it is up to the individual to hire a trash removal service.

[gc2009]

You're right there, GrotonMan - we are actually paying for our trash removal through taxes, just not directly every month like a bill. So it's less visible and out of sight/out of mind for us right now, but we are actually paying for trash removal nonetheless!

And the southeast corner has some of my "it" cities as well! Let's see...there's Waterford, Stonington, North Stonington and Pawcatuck. All sound so lovely, and so close to the water. I could go on and on about the merits of your fair state - I've been enamored since a tween.

CrissCT, that's good to know. Newington is another town on my "it" list, which seems to be in the relative vicinity of Burlington.

Thanks very much for your replies, I appreciate them!

[GrotonMan]

Yeah man, if you like those towns you should check out the Eastern Point/Jupiter Point section of Groton (southwest corner). It is quite beautiful there, and you get all of the amenities of Mystic, New London, and Groton with great access!

[andthentherewere3]

Hmmm, in Monroe we are paying $59 a month for trash pickup. Maybe I should do some comparison shopping.