New waste and recycling bins delivered to residents. / Carol Beggy photos
UPDATED, July 7: Arlington just dodged a bullet, thanks to the new automated trash and recycling pickup program, which launched July 1. Also, members of the Republic Services workers’ union (Teamsters Local 25) have begun a strike in Massachusetts, ceasing waste collection, claiming their company offers insufficient wages, benefits and labor protections.
The worker strike is ongoing and shows no signs of being resolved today.
Republic Services provides recycling and trash services for roughly 17 communities across Massachusetts, according to a recent article from WCVB5 — however, as Arlington has now switched its mode of collection to Waste Management, just 16 municipalities risk a messy situation.
“If your rubbish is piling up on the Fourth of July, remember who’s responsible for it: the white-collar criminals who run Republic Services,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien in a statement published by NBCBoston.
“Republic Teamsters didn’t start this fight, but we will finish it. Our members will do whatever it takes to finally get the respect they’re owed.”
Early Tuesday morning, 450 collection workers picketed in Peabody, officially launching the strike. According to the union website, hundreds of additional Teamsters across the country are having similar contract disputes with Republic, and could launch strikes of their own.
Channel 5 also reported that Republic Services released a response, stating; “It is disappointing the union called a work stoppage rather than continue negotiating in good faith. We planned for the possibility of a work stoppage and have taken several steps to continue providing service.”
Communities possibily affactedby this strike are Peabody, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Wakefield, Marblehead, Malden, Topsfield, Saugus, Beverly, Danvers, North Reading, Reading, Lynnfield, Swampscott, Watertown and Canton.
July 1, 2025: New trash collection system starts today
This announcement was created July 1, 2025 based on information from NBC10 Boston, Channel 5 Boston, YourArlington’s files and other sources.
