Concord residents who use the town's curbside trash and recycling service are paying more beginning this month.

The Public Works Commission unanimously approved a 9% increase in curbside collection fees, effective July 1, raising the annual cost of standard service by $46.08. The increase affects about two-thirds of eligible properties that subscribe to the town's program.

Interim Public Works Director Aaron Miklosko told commissioners the increase is largely driven by higher costs under the town's contract with Waste Management, which is charging 4.5% more in fiscal 2027 than last year.

The town is also investing in an electric collection truck to replace a diesel vehicle serving municipal and school buildings. The change adds about $107,000 to the program's nearly $2.5 million budget. Another $83,000 covers billing services provided by Concord Municipal Light Plant after the town switched to monthly billing last fall.

Despite the increase, Miklosko said Concord's rates remain competitive with private trash haulers.

The higher rates apply to standard trash-and-recycling service, recycling-only subscriptions and additional toters. The price of overflow trash tags, used for extra bags on collection day, remains unchanged.

The rate hike comes as Concord enters the final year of its contract with Waste Management. Town officials expect negotiations over the next agreement to include possible changes such as curbside compost collection, which voters supported at April's Town Meeting.

More information about Concord's trash, recycling and composting programs is available at concordma.gov/recycle.