Boston Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Bulk 2026
Find your Capitol Waste Services collection day, recycling cadence, and bulk pickup rules for Boston, MA — including the 12-holiday delay system and Patriots’ Day.
City of Boston · Department of Public Works · Capitol Waste Services · Updated March 2026
Find Your Boston Collection Day
Select your trash pickup day to instantly see your full schedule — garbage, recycling cadence, yard waste, bulk rules, and holiday impact for 2026.
👈 Select your day above to see your complete Boston collection schedule.
⚠ Not sure of your day? Use the address lookup at boston.gov/trashday or download the free Trash Day app (iOS/Android). Your schedule — including whether recycling is weekly or biweekly — is address-specific. See all contact options ↓
Boston Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The City of Boston Department of Public Works oversees residential collection, currently contracted to Capitol Waste Services under a five-year agreement that began in 2024. Boston serves over 230,000 residential properties across 23 official neighborhoods. Your exact schedule — including whether recycling is weekly or every other week — depends on your specific address.
Does Your Boston Neighborhood Get Twice-Weekly Trash Collection?
Several dense, high-density Boston neighborhoods receive twice-weekly trash collection due to limited storage space and narrow streets. All other Boston neighborhoods receive once-weekly collection.
🗑🗑 Twice-Weekly Collection
Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, North End, South End and certain blocks in other dense neighborhoods.
Typical pattern: Monday & Thursday or Tuesday & Friday.
Uses smaller trash barrels or bags. Recycling still follows its own separate weekly or biweekly schedule.
Always verify your exact days using the Trash Day app — not all addresses in these neighborhoods are twice-weekly.
🗑 Once-Weekly Collection
All other Boston neighborhoods: Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, West Roxbury, and others.
One trash day per week. Recycling may be weekly or biweekly depending on address.
📌 Set-Out Rules for All Boston Addresses
- Set out containers after 5:00 p.m. the evening before your collection day — not earlier (code violation).
- All trash and recycling must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
- All trash must be in barrels with a lid. If using trash bags, they must be 2-ply or 0.9 mm or thicker. Kitchen bags, grocery bags, and cardboard boxes cannot be used as trash bags.
- Barrels larger than 32 gallons must have a grab bar. All trash must fit inside with the lid on — overflowing barrels can result in a code enforcement violation.
- Retrieve empty barrels from the curb after collection. Leaving them out overnight is a violation.
Boston Holiday Trash Collection Schedule 2026
Boston observes all 12 City-recognized holidays with a one-day collection delay — more than any other major US city. When a holiday falls on your collection day, service shifts one day later for the remainder of that week. Monday holidays shift all Mon–Fri routes one day later. Delays vary by neighborhood — always verify in the Trash Day app during any holiday week.
The most common surprise for new Bostonians: Patriots’ Day (April 20), a Massachusetts-only holiday not observed anywhere else in the country.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | 1-Day Delay | Thu → Fri | Fri → Sat | Mon–Wed: normal |
| MLK Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Full Week Delay | All Mon–Fri routes shift one day later |
| Presidents’ Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Full Week Delay | All Mon–Fri routes shift one day later |
| Patriots’ Day | Mon, Apr 20 | Full Week Delay MA only | Massachusetts-exclusive holiday — commemorates Battles of Lexington & Concord. Also the Boston Marathon. All routes shift one day later. |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Full Week Delay | All Mon–Fri routes shift one day later |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19 | 1-Day Delay | Fri → Sat | Mon–Thu: normal |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | Normal | Falls on Saturday — no weekday impact |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Full Week Delay | All Mon–Fri routes shift one day later |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Mon, Oct 12 | Full Week Delay | All Mon–Fri routes shift one day later |
| Veterans’ Day | Wed, Nov 11 | 1-Day Delay | Wed → Thu | Thu → Fri | Fri → Sat | Mon–Tue: normal |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | 1-Day Delay | Thu → Fri | Fri → Sat | Mon–Wed: normal |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | 1-Day Delay | Fri → Sat | Mon–Thu: normal that week |
Boston Recycling — Blue Cart, Clear Bags & Recycling Stickers
Boston uses single-stream recycling. Whether your recycling is collected weekly or every other week depends on your specific address — there is no simple neighborhood rule. Always verify your exact cadence using the Trash Day app or boston.gov/trashday. Recycling is processed at the Casella Waste Systems MRF in Charlestown.
🛴 Recycling Container Options
- 64-gallon blue wheeled cart — the standard City-provided container for buildings with 6 or fewer units. Free from DPW.
- Trash can with recycling sticker — convert any trash can under 32 gallons into a recycling container by requesting a free sticker through BOS:311 (call 617-635-4500).
- Heavy-duty clear plastic bags — ONLY allowed in dense neighborhoods with limited storage space: Back Bay/Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, and West End. Regular plastic bags, grocery bags, and trash bags are NOT acceptable for recycling anywhere in Boston.
✅ Accepted in Recycling
- Paper: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, envelopes (including windowed), paper bags
- Cardboard: shipping boxes (flattened, max 3 ft), cereal boxes, egg cartons, paper towel rolls — no waxy coating
- Plastic containers #1, #2, and #5 only — bottles, jugs, food containers, yogurt cups, tubs with lids, produce clamshells
- Metals: aluminum cans, steel and tin cans, empty aerosol cans, baking trays, jar lids and bottle caps
- Glass: all bottles and jars (clear, green, brown)
🚫 Never in Recycling
- Plastic bags or plastic film → grocery store drop-off
- Plastics #3, #4, #6, #7
- Styrofoam / polystyrene of any kind
- Books → donate instead
- Tanglers: cords, hoses, wire hangers — damage MRF machinery
- Small items under 2×2 inches — fall through sorting equipment
- Food or liquids — rinse all containers first
- Regular or black/white plastic trash bags
Boston Yard & Leaf Waste Collection
Curbside yard waste collection in Boston is seasonal, typically running from April through late December. It is collected on the same day as your recycling (not your trash day). If you have two collection days per week, yard waste goes out on your first collection day of the week. Confirm your specific yard waste weeks at boston.gov/yard-waste or in the Trash Day app.
🌿 Yard Waste Rules
- Place in large paper leaf bags (paper bags do not need labels) or open barrels labeled “YARD WASTE”. No plastic bags — yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected.
- Barrel stickers for yard waste are available by calling (617) 635-4959 — up to 2 stickers per household, at no charge.
- Branches must be tied with string, maximum 3 feet in length. Do not put branches inside barrels.
- Bamboo accepted if cut to under 3 feet and tied.
- No dirt, mulch, or plastic bags.
- Invasive plant species (e.g. Japanese knotweed, bittersweet) are not accepted — put them in regular trash to prevent spread.
🎄 Christmas Tree Collection
Boston collects Christmas trees curbside on your regular trash day during the two weeks following Christmas (approximately January 2–16, 2026). If you have two collection days per week, trees go out on your first collection day of the week. Place trees at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Trees must be completely free of all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and plastic bags — trees in bags or with decorations will not be collected.
Boston Bulk & Special Item Pickup — 10 Items Per Year
Boston residents can schedule free curbside pickup of large items through BOS:311. Each household is allowed up to 10 items per calendar year, with a maximum of 5 items per appointment. Furniture can be placed with your normal curbside trash on your regular collection day without scheduling. It is mattresses, appliances, and Freon-containing items that require a scheduled appointment.
📅 How to Schedule Bulk & Special Item Pickup
- Submit a request through BOS:311 online at 311.boston.gov, via the BOS:311 app (iOS/Android), or by calling 3-1-1 (617-635-4500 outside city). Select “Request a bulk item pickup” or “Schedule a special collection item.”
- Have an itemized list of items ready. Special items (Freon-containing appliances, CRT TVs/monitors) require a separate appointment.
- Place items at the curb after 5:00 p.m. the evening before your confirmed collection date.
- Maximum 5 items per appointment, up to 10 items per calendar year total.
✅ Accepted Items
- Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, dressers — can go with regular trash, no appointment needed
- Mattresses & box springs — appointment required; separate mattress recycling program available
- Large appliances: fridges, washers, dryers (Freon appliances = special appointment)
- CRT TVs and computer monitors — special appointment required
- Scrap metal and other large household items
🚫 Not Accepted in Bulk
- Building or construction debris — not collected under any program
- Tires → tire retailer or Zero Waste Day event
- Hazardous materials → Zero Waste Days
- More than 5 items per appointment or 10 per year
- Commercial or business waste
Boston Food Waste & Composting Programs
Boston does not currently offer universal curbside food waste collection. Instead, the City operates two programs to divert food scraps from landfill:
🌿 Garbage to Garden — Curbside Food Waste Collection
The Garbage to Garden program offers curbside food scrap collection to eligible single-family homes and buildings with 6 or fewer units. Residents receive a small kitchen bin and a curbside container. Food scraps (including meat, bones, and dairy) are collected weekly. Availability is limited and waitlisted in many areas. Sign up and check availability at boston.gov/food-waste or call 3-1-1.
🌿 Project Oscar — Community Compost Drop-Off
Boston operates Project Oscar community compost bins at 20+ locations citywide, including parks and community centers. Any resident can drop off food scraps at no charge. No sign-up needed. Food scraps collected through Project Oscar are processed by Black Earth Compost. Find your nearest Project Oscar bin at boston.gov/project-oscar.
Boston Zero Waste Days — Hazardous Waste & Electronics
Boston hosts Zero Waste Days throughout 2026 at community locations across the city. These events accept household hazardous waste (HHW), electronics, and other waste-ban materials for free. Boston residents only — bring photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of residency. No waste from businesses.
📅 Three Types of Zero Waste Events
- Zero Waste Days — accept all materials listed below, including HHW, electronics, textiles, and more.
- Zero Waste Pop-Ups — smaller events accepting at least 2 types of materials (check each event page for specifics).
- Yard Waste Drop-Off — accepts leaf and yard waste only (no HHW or electronics).
See the full 2026 event schedule at boston.gov/zero-waste-day.
✅ Accepted at Zero Waste Days
- Electronics: TVs, computers, phones, tablets, printers, batteries
- Household hazardous waste: paint (max 20 gal), motor oil (max 20 gal), gasoline, solvents, chemicals
- Fluorescent and CFL bulbs
- Textiles and clothing (many events)
- Sharps (in puncture-proof container)
- Medications (at select events)
- Mattresses (some events — check)
🚫 Not Accepted at Zero Waste Days
- Commercial or business waste
- Explosives or ammunition
- Radioactive materials
- More than 20 gallons/lbs of paint, oil, or chemicals
- Regular household trash
- Construction debris
📹 HELPSY Textile Collection
Boston partners with HELPSY for curbside textile and clothing collection. HELPSY bins are placed at apartment buildings and community locations throughout Boston. Place clean clothing, shoes, belts, and household textiles in a bag and drop them in a HELPSY bin. Items in good condition are resold; damaged textiles are recycled. Find your nearest bin at helpsy.co.
What to Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected in Boston
- Confirm your correct collection day using the Trash Day app or boston.gov/trashday. Verify your recycling week (weekly or biweekly) and whether you have yard waste scheduled.
- Check for a holiday delay. Boston has 12 holidays with delays. Check the holiday table above — the delay may have shifted your day. Always use the Trash Day app during any holiday week as delays vary by neighborhood.
- Verify set-out rules: containers out by 6:00 a.m., barrels have lids, all trash fits inside. Overflowing or non-compliant containers may be left.
- Check for a weather delay. Major snowstorms can delay Boston collection. Monitor boston.gov and the Trash Day app for announcements.
- Report the missed pickup through BOS:311 at 311.boston.gov, the BOS:311 app, or by calling 3-1-1 (617-635-4500 outside city). Select “Report a missed trash collection.”
Boston Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Boston or Just Moved In?
Download the free Trash Day app (iOS/Android) immediately — it’s the most reliable way to track your exact collection days, recycling week, holiday delays, and yard waste schedule. Enter your address to get a personalized calendar with reminders. Contact BOS:311 if your recycling cart is missing. Note: Boston has 12 holidays with delays, including Patriots’ Day on April 20 — put it in your calendar now.
⛄️ Winter in Boston — Snow & Collection
- Boston winters regularly bring major snowstorms that delay or suspend collection. During and after snowstorms, leave containers in — do not set them out until DPW announces it is safe to resume.
- After snow, clear a path to your trash and recycling location so crews can access containers. Blocked containers may be skipped.
- The Trash Day app sends real-time delay notifications during weather events.
🚫 6 Mistakes Boston Residents Make
- Setting containers out before 5:00 p.m. the prior evening — code violation
- Leaving barrels curbside overnight after collection — another code violation
- Recycling plastics #3, #4, #6, or #7 — Boston only accepts #1, #2, and #5
- Putting books in recycling — donate them instead
- Setting out a mattress without a BOS:311 appointment
- Missing Patriots’ Day (Apr 20) as a delay day — catches nearly every new Boston resident off guard
Contact Boston DPW & BOS:311
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| BOS:311 | Dial 3-1-1 inside Boston, or 617-635-4500 from outside — missed pickups, bulk scheduling, cart requests, all non-emergency city services |
| 311 Online & App | 311.boston.gov · BOS:311 app (iOS & Android) — bulk requests, missed pickup reports, service requests |
| Trash Day App | Free iOS & Android — personalized collection calendar, recycling week tracking, holiday delay alerts, Waste Sorting Tool. Most reliable schedule source. Download at boston.gov/trashday |
| DPW Main Line | 📞 617-635-4500 · boston.gov/public-works |
| Yard Waste Stickers | 📞 (617) 635-4959 — up to 2 free barrel stickers per household for yard waste containers |
| Zero Waste Days | boston.gov/zero-waste-day — 2026 HHW, electronics, textiles drop-off event schedule |
| Project Oscar (Compost) | boston.gov/project-oscar — community compost bin locations citywide |
| Capitol Waste Services | City’s current collection contractor (since 2024). Contact through BOS:311 for all service issues. |
Frequently Asked Questions — Boston Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
If the Collection Day Finder above and all the information on this page haven’t resolved your question, use the official City of Boston tools below. The Trash Day app is the most reliable option — it shows your personalized collection calendar, recycling week, yard waste schedule, and sends real-time holiday delay notifications.
🔍 Official Boston Trash & Recycling Lookup
All of the following are free and will confirm your exact schedule for your specific address:
🔍 Open Trash Day Lookup 📞 Call 617-635-4500| Trash Day App | Free iOS & Android — personalized calendar, recycling week tracking, holiday delay alerts, Waste Sorting Tool. The most reliable and complete schedule source for Boston residents. |
| Address Lookup | boston.gov/trashday — enter your address to see your collection day, recycling week, and yard waste schedule. |
| BOS:311 | Dial 3-1-1 inside Boston or 617-635-4500 from outside. Bulk scheduling, missed pickup reports, recycling sticker requests, all city services. |
| BOS:311 Online | 311.boston.gov — request bulk pickup, report missed collections, request recycling and yard waste stickers. |
| Zero Waste Days | boston.gov/zero-waste-day — 2026 HHW, electronics, and textiles drop-off event schedule. |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above.
Trash & Recycling Schedules for Cities Near Boston
Looking for waste collection information in another northeastern city? Here are the five closest cities we’ve already covered with full schedules and recycling guides: