Other New Bedford Shawmut Avenue dump

The illegal dumping of garbage and bulky items on Shawmut Avenue behind the New Bedford Regional Airport is not a new problem, but it is certainly an ongoing problem.

This stretch of road is very busy during the day, but can be dark and desolate at night. The conditions are perfect for someone looking to get rid of an old couch, TV, or other large item that won’t fit in a trash can or recycling bin. Stop, throw your rubbish on the side of the road and leave. Chances are no one will see you (don’t really do it, it’s wrong and it’s illegal).

You might be wondering why anyone in New Bedford would bother hauling their unwanted stuff behind the airport when they can have it picked up in front of their house for free by ABC Layout, Inc. as a member of Collection of bulky objects program.

There are rules, of course, and you have to make an appointment, but it’s free. You can also bring items to the recycling station at 1103 Shawmut Avenue, the old dump.

The edge of Shawmut Avenue behind the airport is littered with discarded items, and an opening in the brush indicates a much larger problem behind trees hidden from passers-by. Garbage and garbage are everywhere.

Interestingly, the town of Dartmouth, just up the road and also under contract with ABC Disposal, charges for large item pickup, and there is a charge for most things brought to the transfer station from the city. Maybe people see this as an incentive to dump illegally?

Dartmouth also has “pay as you throw away”, which requires residents to buy trash bags. New Bedford still collects garbage for free for residents, but “pay as you throw” isn’t far down the road.

When you think about it, littering in public is pretty disgusting.