Dartmouth’s annual trash rate is increasing by $20 in Fiscal Year 2026, bringing up the fee to a total of $110.

At its Thursday, Jan. 23 meeting, the Board of Public Works voted for the increase after considering multiple options presented by planning firms Weston & Sampson and the Abrahams Group, who have been conducting the department’s efficiency study.

The division is looking at a 10-year window to maintain costs and retain earnings at or greater than 15%, said Weston & Sampson representative Ben Rollin in a previous presentation.

In addition to operational and capital costs, the study also focused on a way to keep the town of Dartmouth’s trash rates low compared to similar communities, Rollin said.

Down to two options, the Board considered raising the annual fee by $30 every other fiscal year or by $20, with alternating years seeing increases in trash bag rates. 

According to Public Works Director Tim Barber, the rates have not increased since the SMART Program’s inception in 2009.

“Although our goal is to keep our rates as low as we can for our residents, it’s inevitable due to inflation and increases that we incur,” Barber said at the meeting.

In opting for the $20 increase for Fiscal Year 2026, the Board will consider increasing the cost of trash bags in Fiscal Year 2027 by $1 and $2 for the small and large bags, respectively. This would bring the cost for small bags to $6 and large bags to $12.

Barber said he understands not everyone is happy with the bags and the idea of increased bag prices. 

However, he added, “The bags are what drives this program because it incentivizes recycling,” noting the program’s contribution in reducing the amount discarded at Crapo Hill Landfill by 40%.

He said this time next year, he and the board will reevaluate whether raising trash bag fees are necessary. If they don’t think it’s the right time, they will consider raising the annual fee again.