A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-2, regarding a report on maintenance plan for public area bins on Cambridge Street with an emphasis on cleaning open-trash receptacles more frequently

City of Cambridge Department of Public Works Owen O'Riordan, Commissioner 147 Hampshire Street Cambridge, MA 02139 theworks@cambridgema.gov Voice: [phone removed] TDD: [phone removed] February 4, 2020 To: Louis DePasquale City Manager From: Owen O’Riordan Re: Awaiting Report 20-2, dated January 27, 2020 regarding the department’s maintenance plan for public area bins on Cambridge Street with an emphasis on cleaning open-trash receptacles more frequently. In response to the above referenced awaiting report please be advised that Public Works services approximately 85 open top public area bins on Cambridge street from Inman Square to First street. Over this 20-block area most of these bins are for trash only with limited recycling receptacles every few blocks. The trash receptacles are emptied by Public Works employees twice a day seven days a week. Recycling bins are serviced by a contractor and are emptied two to three times per week. With regard to cleaning, each bin is power washed at a minimum of twice per year or on an as needed/requested basis. The majority of the bins have been in place since the last time Cambridge Street was reconstructed. Public Works have made repairs or replaced some over the years but have had issues with many leading us to explore more universal replacement of all the bins. We have recently met with The Big Belly corporation to evaluate this stretch of Cambridge street and determine what it would take to replace the current open top bins with new solar powered compacting bins. These compacting bins can hold up to five times the trash that typical open top bins hold and are fully contained which helps to keep in litter and deter rodents. Additionally, we would look to add a recycling container at each trash location to further promote citywide recycling. We have estimated that with 40 locations along Cambridge street we can provide the same level of service for trash and and expanded options for recycling and will provide for a more efficient emptying operation. As part of the ongoing deployment of Big Belly infrastructure in the city, DPW is presently putting together a plan to further this deployment in 2020 and 2021 on Cambridge Street and in other locations throughout the City. The department is working with the managers office to incorporate this appropriation within the FY21 budget with the hope of beginning full replacement this fall.