Brookline cracks down on waste violations to improve rodent control

To rein in an escalating rodent problem, Brookline health and public works officials are taking aim at messy, unkempt dumpsters and their owners. 

The Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Brookline Department of Public Works (DPW) have updated their Solid Waste Regulations with higher standards for dumpster use.

The effort follows a surge in the local rodent population, a problem that has plagued several cities since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Brookline said it saw a 400 percent increase in rodent complaints in recent years. The new DPW guidelines urge residents not to feed the rats by supplying them with easy-access trash bins. 

The most common dumpster violations in Brookline include overflowing containers, missing or loose lids, and holes in the dumpsters — all of which create a Mecca for trash-loving rodents.

The DPW said dumpster owners should keep their containers well-maintained, labeled, and placed on a flat, smooth surface. The dumpsters should also have a tight-fitting, heavy lid with no holes, and the lid should not be open and overflowing, the DPW said. Dumpsters shouldn’t be on public property and should not block traffic. Dumpsters should also display the name of the private hauler and the owner’s name, address and contact information.

“Bad dumpsters provide a food source for rodents,” the DPW said in a press release. “If dumpsters are overflowing or have pests, the public health department can require larger dumpsters or more frequent pickups.”

Brookline officials encouraged residents and businesses to review and adhere to the updated regulations and said violators will face “potential enforcement actions and monetary penalties.” The updated Solid Waste Regulations are available online. 

Morgan Rousseau

Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.

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