Boston Trash Pickup Schedule (2026 Calendar & Holiday Delays)
Source-reviewed schedule
No regular trash pickup is scheduled for this date.
Upcoming Holiday Schedule Notice
Upcoming Holiday Alert: Columbus Day is Monday, Oct 12, 2026 (2 days away). Collections slide by 1 day starting Monday.
- Trash pickup days
- Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday & FridaySet carts out Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.
- Next trash pickup
- Oct 13Holiday adjustment applied
- Recycling days
- Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday & FridaySingle-stream collection
Regular trash pickup & collection details
| Service | Collection days | Placement or collection rule |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday · Weekly | Placement cutoff: Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine. |
| Recycling | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | Single-stream recycling |
| Bulk waste | Household furniture and bicycles can be placed curbside on your regular trash collection day without an appointment. For large appliances and electronics containing Freon or cathode ray tubes (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, televisions, computer monitors), schedule a free special pickup via Boston 311 or online. Mattresses require a separate appointment. | Up to 10 items per pickup |
| Yard waste | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | Seasonal: 2026-04-01 to 2026-12-05. Curbside leaf and yard waste collection occurs on your regular trash day during scheduled collection weeks. Place leaves, grass, and garden waste in brown paper yard bags or barrels labeled with yard waste stickers by 6:00 a.m. Tree branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 3 feet and no thicker than 1 inch. |
Trash container requirements
- Curbside collection is provided to residential buildings with six units or fewer
- Trash must be placed in clean, sturdy barrels with tight lids or securely tied heavy-duty bags
- Set containers out after 5:00 p.m. the evening before or by 6:00 a.m. on collection day
- Keep sidewalks clear and remove empty containers promptly after collection
- Buildings with seven or more units must arrange private waste removal
Boston recycling overview
Single-stream recycling · Collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Accepted items
- Cardboard (flattened shipping boxes, cereal boxes, egg cartons, paper towel tubes)
- Paper (office paper, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, paper bags, mail)
- Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and lids (drink bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, yogurt containers)
- Glass bottles and jars (food and beverage containers rinsed clean)
- Metal food and beverage cans (aluminum cans, tin soup cans rinsed clean)
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags and film wrap (do not bag recyclables or use grocery bags)
- Styrofoam and foam packaging materials
- Black plastic takeout food containers
- Food waste and food-soiled packaging
- Batteries, electronics, textiles, and hazardous chemicals
Recycling safety alerts: Never place lithium batteries (fire risk), electronics or TVs, or loose shredded paper into residential recycling carts.
Boston bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | Household furniture and bicycles can be placed curbside on your regular trash collection day without an appointment. For large appliances and electronics containing Freon or cathode ray tubes (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, televisions, computer monitors), schedule a free special pickup via Boston 311 or online. Mattresses require a separate appointment. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 10 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture, Appliances |
| Advance notice | Required before collection. |
| Dispatch phone | 617-635-4500 |
Mattress bagging rule: Mattresses must be bagged under the listed rules. Confirm the required plastic encasement before pickup.
Boston yard & garden waste rules
| Collection schedule | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday |
|---|---|
| Service type | Seasonal collection (2026-04-01 to 2026-12-05) |
| Curbside rules | Curbside leaf and yard waste collection occurs on your regular trash day during scheduled collection weeks. Place leaves, grass, and garden waste in brown paper yard bags or barrels labeled with yard waste stickers by 6:00 a.m. Tree branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 3 feet and no thicker than 1 inch. |
Accepted: grass clippings, leaves, garden weeds, and soft yard trimmings. Place directly inside your green organics cart or heavy 30-gallon brown paper lawn bags. Never use plastic trash bags; plastic tears in compost equipment and ruins finished mulch.
Cut tree branches to 3 to 4 feet in length and tie into bundles under 40 to 50 lbs. Use natural sisal or jute twine only. No wire or plastic rope; wire damages commercial chippers. Keep limb diameter under 4 inches.
Boston Curbside Timing & HOA Fine Protection
Avoid costly municipal code citations ($50 to $100) and neighborhood HOA fines by following the verified set-out and retrieval windows for Boston.
6:00 PM the Evening Before
Roll carts to the street after 6:00 PM prior to your scheduled pickup days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday). Ensure carts are set out no later than Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine. collection morning.
7:00 PM on Collection Day
Empty carts must be removed from the curb line and returned to an approved storage location (garage, behind side gate, or screened enclosure) within 24 hours.
Homeowner Associations frequently target trash carts left at the street with $25 to $100 penalty letters. Keep in mind:
- State-Level Protections: Several states protect residents with statutory 24-hour collection grace periods that override restrictive HOA covenants.
- Contesting Selective Enforcement: If you receive a fine while neighboring bins are left out unpenalized, document the dates with photos and request a formal hearing in writing within 14 days.
- Approved Concealment: Store containers out of sight from the street to remain fully compliant with deed restrictions.
Why was my trash skipped in Boston?
If your street had pickup today but your cart is still full, work through this quick diagnostic checklist before reporting a missed collection.
1. Check the set-out deadline (Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.)▼
Boston routes begin collection as early as Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.. If your cart was rolled out after the truck passed, drivers cannot turn around for late set-outs without a dispatcher work order.
2. The 3-foot clearance rule▼
Automated mechanical arms need space to grip your container. Carts placed closer than 3 feet to mailboxes, parked cars, other bins, or low tree limbs cannot be safely grabbed by the truck.
3. Lid closure and overweight bins▼
Carts with lids resting open over 45 degrees or overflowing with extra bags are routinely skipped to prevent trash from spilling across the road. Ensure your cart lid shuts completely flat.
4. Wait until 7:00 PM before reporting▼
Trucks frequently experience equipment issues, heavy loads, or relief driver swaps. Collection often continues until 7:00 PM. Wait until evening before logging a formal missed pickup ticket.
If your cart was curbside on time with proper clearance, call dispatch or submit a ticket using this verified wording:
Boston Snow, Ice & Severe Weather Pickup Policy
Heavy snowfall, black ice, and tropical storms can make streets dangerous for 30-ton sanitation compactor trucks. Here is how service suspensions and makeup collections are handled in Boston.
If morning road conditions ground trucks, collection typically slides by one business day for the rest of the week, with Friday routes completed on Saturday. If sub-zero conditions or unplowed roads persist past 48 hours, missed routes are rescheduled for the following regular cycle.
When an official severe weather emergency forces the cancellation of a full collection week, haulers generally permit residents to place up to two extra tied garbage bags next to their cart on the next service day without purchasing special overflow tags.
During active winter storm warnings or hurricane advisories, monitor the Boston emergency alert portal for real-time truck deployment status, or review our national storm delay recovery guide.
Boston Seasonal Disposal & Cleanup Calendar
Special city cleanup programs run during key seasonal transitions throughout the year in Boston.
Natural Christmas trees are collected curbside during the first two weeks of January. Strip all lights, stands, and tinsel. Cut trees over 6 feet in half and do not bag in plastic.
Rake leaves to the curb edge for vacuum trucks or pack into 30-gallon brown paper lawn bags. Never use plastic bags or rake leaves into bike lanes or storm drains.
Many county landfills and city yards host free residential dump days in April and May where gate tipping fees are waived for bulky household items and scrap metal.
Moving to Boston? New Resident Waste Setup Guide
Setting up utilities at a new home can be overwhelming. Here is what you need to know about trash collection, billing, and moving boxes in Boston.
Municipal Public Works (City DPW)
Trash and recycling services are automatically provided and funded through your municipal property taxes.
Carts Remain With the Property
Wheeled trash and recycling carts are assigned to the street address by serial number. If your home has missing or broken bins upon move-in, contact public works for a replacement.
Do not leave towering piles of unflattened moving boxes at the curb. Empty all Styrofoam and bubble wrap completely, slit all tape seams flat with a utility knife, and cut boxes to 3x3 foot sections so they fit inside your blue cart.
Boston Broken Cart Repair & Extra Bin Requests
Mechanical lift arms on collection trucks can crack plastic bin bodies or snap wheels off over time. Follow these steps for free cart repairs or ordering a second container.
Damaged Wheels, Lids & Bodies
If your cart is damaged by normal collection wear or dropped by the truck arm, public works will repair or replace it at no charge. Locate the 6 to 8 digit serial number hot-stamped on the front of the cart body before calling.
Order a Second Cart
Large households generating extra waste can lease an additional 64 or 96 gallon container. Extra bins typically add an affordable fee ($5 to $12 monthly) to your city utility bill.
Boston Wildlife, Pest & Odor Prevention
Warm summer weather turns outdoor carts into fly breeding zones, while overnight food smells attract raccoons and neighborhood wildlife. Use these verified sanitation practices to keep your property clean.
Pour a kettle of boiling water directly into your empty cart to eliminate fly larvae instantly with zero harsh chemicals. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom to absorb liquids, and double-bag seafood or meat scraps in summer.
Do not rely on elastic bungee cords, which raccoons easily unhook with their paws. Use heavy-duty ratchet straps or certified mechanical lid latches. Where wildlife is active, roll carts out on collection morning rather than leaving them overnight.
Boston Street Sweeping & Parking Ticket Shield
Mechanical street sweepers frequently run on or immediately following residential trash pickup days. Avoid $45 to $85 parking tickets with these curbside rules.
Place Carts Behind the Curb Line
Never place garbage or recycling carts in the street asphalt gutter on street sweeping days. Keep wheels on the sidewalk or parkway grass strip so street sweeping broom brushes can clean curb gutters without tipping carts over.
Check Posted Parking Restriction Hours
Verify street signs for posted sweeping hours. Parking enforcement officers routinely ticket vehicles parked on the scheduled curb side during sweeper operating hours ($45 to $85 citation).
Boston Area Landfills & Citizen Drop-Off Stations
When you have large renovation loads, dirt, concrete, or bulky waste exceeding curbside limits, self-haul directly to a verified transfer station or county landfill serving Suffolk County.
📍 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Schedule special curbside pickups for Freon appliances and CRT electronics, or report missed collections and request blue recycling carts.
📍 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Curbside mattress recycling collection by appointment for residential buildings with six units or fewer.
All open truck beds and trailers must be secured with a tarp. Unsecured loads face an immediate $20 to $50 state fee at the scale.
Most facilities have a minimum entry fee ($25 to $45) covering up to 1,000 lbs, with prorated per-ton rates for heavier commercial debris.
To receive discounted residential gate rates, bring a valid state driver license and a current local municipal water or utility bill.
Boston holiday trash delays
Listed strategy: one day slide. A listed holiday shifts remaining pickups in its Monday-Saturday service week by one day.
Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Named holidays recur each year; explicit dates apply only to their listed year.
2026 Holiday Collection Calendar: Boston, MA
Official schedule adjustments for recognized 2026 holidays. When a holiday falls on or before your collection day, review whether curbside pickups slide forward:
| Holiday | Observed Date | Schedule Status | Curbside Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Thursday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, Jan 19, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Monday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Presidents' Day | Monday, Feb 16, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Monday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Monday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Juneteenth | Friday, Jun 19, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Friday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Independence Day | Saturday, Jul 4, 2026 | Weekend Holiday | Holiday falls on a weekend. Regular weekday curbside routes are unchanged. |
| Labor Day | Monday, Sep 7, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Monday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Columbus Day | Monday, Oct 12, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Monday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Wednesday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, Nov 26, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Thursday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
| Christmas Day | Friday, Dec 25, 2026 | 1-Day Slide | Collections on Friday and the remainder of the service week are delayed by 1 day. |
Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday pickups push back by 1 day. Thursday routes slide to Friday, and Friday routes slide to Saturday.
Christmas Day pickups push back 1 day through the remainder of the service week. Normal schedule resumes the following Monday.
Natural evergreen trees can be set out curbside in January. Remove all tree stands, lights, nails, ornaments, and tinsel before placing at the curb.
Personalized Route Reminders & Holiday Push Notifications
Never miss trash day or get surprised by holiday delays. Subscribe directly to your device calendar for free lock-screen alerts at 7:00 PM the night before and automatic holiday schedule shift warnings.
Step 1: Choose Your Street Collection Day
Showing personalized schedule for each routeTrash: Weekly collection (Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.)
Recycling: Collected on Monday (single stream)
Trash: Weekly collection (Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.)
Recycling: Collected on Tuesday (single stream)
Trash: Weekly collection (Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.)
Recycling: Collected on Wednesday (single stream)
Trash: Weekly collection (Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.)
Recycling: Collected on Thursday (single stream)
Trash: Weekly collection (Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.)
Recycling: Collected on Friday (single stream)
Boston, MA Sanitation Schedule
Hauler: City of Boston Public Works Department | Support: 617-635-4500
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Frequency: weekly
Cart Time: Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.
- Curbside collection is provided to residential buildings with six units or fewer
- Trash must be placed in clean, sturdy barrels with tight lids or securely tied heavy-duty bags
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Stream: single stream
Bulk Allowed: Yes (max 10 items)
Bulk Rule: Household furniture and bicycles can be placed curbside on your regular trash collection day without an appointment. For large appliances and electronics containing Freon or cathode ray tubes (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, televisions, computer monitors), schedule a free special pickup via Boston 311 or online. Mattresses require a separate appointment.
Notice required: call 617-635-4500
Yard Waste: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Curbside leaf and yard waste collection occurs on your regular trash day during scheduled collection weeks. Place leaves, grass, and garden waste in brown paper yard bags or barrels labeled with yard waste stickers by 6:00 a.m. Tree branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 3 feet and no thicker than 1 inch.
2026 Observed Holidays & Service Shift Calendar
Strategy: one day slide| Holiday | 2026 Date | Weekday | Service Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 2026-01-01 | Thursday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 2026-01-19 | Monday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Presidents' Day | 2026-02-16 | Monday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Memorial Day | 2026-05-25 | Monday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Juneteenth | 2026-06-19 | Friday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Independence Day | 2026-07-04 | Saturday | Weekend Holiday |
| Labor Day | 2026-09-07 | Monday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Columbus Day | 2026-10-12 | Monday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Veterans Day | 2026-11-11 | Wednesday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Thanksgiving Day | 2026-11-26 | Thursday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
| Christmas Day | 2026-12-25 | Friday | 1-Day Slide: Pickups push back 1 day |
Help keep your street clean and in sync. Share this schedule with your neighborhood WhatsApp group, Nextdoor board, or HOA listserv:
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Boston Public Works Department · municipal dpw
Phone: 617-635-4500
1 City Hall Square, Suite 714Boston, MA 02201
These collection rules cover Zone City of Boston Curbside Collection Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Boston, MA?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Set trash out after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning. Setting trash out earlier than 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $25 municipal fine.. These rules apply to Zone City of Boston Curbside Collection Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Boston?
As of 2026-10-10: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone City of Boston Curbside Collection Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Boston?
Household furniture and bicycles can be placed curbside on your regular trash collection day without an appointment. For large appliances and electronics containing Freon or cathode ray tubes (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, televisions, computer monitors), schedule a free special pickup via Boston 311 or online. Mattresses require a separate appointment. The listed limit is 10 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 617-635-4500 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone City of Boston Curbside Collection Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in Boston?
The listed accepted materials are Cardboard (flattened shipping boxes, cereal boxes, egg cartons, paper towel tubes), Paper (office paper, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, paper bags, mail), Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and lids (drink bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, yogurt containers), Glass bottles and jars (food and beverage containers rinsed clean), Metal food and beverage cans (aluminum cans, tin soup cans rinsed clean). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and film wrap (do not bag recyclables or use grocery bags), Styrofoam and foam packaging materials, Black plastic takeout food containers, Food waste and food-soiled packaging, Batteries, electronics, textiles, and hazardous chemicals. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone City of Boston Curbside Collection Routes.