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Working with the Department of Public Works, the Open Data team has created a new collection of data sets exploring the City’s waste production over time. With daily, monthly, and yearly data about compost, trash, and all kinds of recycling programs, the new data is wide-ranging. These datasets show how different waste streams have changed over time as new policies and programs have been introduced.
The Monthly Municipal Waste dataset shows the monthly tonnage of waste the city collects across all streams. The primary waste streams are regular trash, mixed recycling (paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastics combined), and compost (food waste). This dataset also includes special recycling items such as electronics (televisions, microwaves, toasters), scrap metal (washing machines, water heaters), textiles (clothing, shoes, accessories), mattresses and box springs, and plastic film (bags, bubble wrap). Seasonal collections like yard waste and Christmas trees are also provided.
For users interested in food waste, the Monthly Municipal Compost and even more detailed Daily Municipal Compost provide a more fine-grained look at how much compost is collected daily by the city in its curbside food waste pickup program.
The Yearly Municipal Waste Summary rolls all the monthly up into yearly averages. Also in this data set users can find the per-household average of trash generated per week, which is an important benchmark number the Department of Public Works uses as it pursues its Zero Waste Master Plan.
We are also pleased to report that the sustainability dashboard is now updated with 2024 trash data.
Municipal waste is picked up curbside throughout the city from residences and some small businesses, and is also collected from the DPW recycling center (located at 147 Hampshire Street) and from compost drop-off locations located around the city.
For more information about waste collection in the city, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/Services/CurbsideCollections.
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