Find out your trash day and learn the rules in your neighborhood. We also have information on recycling, composting, and more.
guide
Trash and recycling
Last updated
1/11/19
Place trash and recycling out for collection no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled day. Keep your neighborhood clean by securing your trash and recycling properly.
Find your collection schedule and more through our trash day app. You can mix your recyclable materials in one container, there is no need to sort or separate.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF TRASH AND RECYCLING
- Place trash in a container with a lid or use a sturdy trash bag.
- Place recycling on the curb in a City-issued, large 64 gallon recycling cart or thick clear plastic bag that is 15-30 gallons in size. Contact BOS:311 to request a new recycling cart, but keep in mind they are not available until March.
- Do not use small plastic and paper bags from market or convenience stores for trash or recycling.
- You can turn a trash can into a recycling bin with a sticker from 311. You can also pick up a sticker through the City Hall to Go truck. The can can’t be bigger than 32 gallons and needs a lid.
Timing
You can place trash and recycling out as early as 5 p.m. on the night before your collection day, but we urge you to place your trash out in the morning. This reduces spillage and scavenging.
GREEN TICKETS
If you don't comply with our regulations, you may receive a "green ticket" from our Code Enforcement Division. If you have been issued a ticket in error, you can appeal the citation. Residents can report offenses to BOS:311.
Don't use City sidewalk litter barrels or solar-powered compactors to get rid of your household trash. It's illegal, and carries a fine for each day you leave your trash.
CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS
Do not place building or construction debris out for residential collection. The City will not pick it up.
Request pickups
Request a pickup through BOS:311 for refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, televisions (including flat screens) and laptops. Please note: you can place furniture out with your regular trash.
Search the directory
To learn more about what we will and won't pick up, search our trash and recycling directory.
Never miss yard waste collection again.
With our free Trash Day app you can view a calendar for your home's collection dates, set reminders, and get notifications of schedule changes. You can also search a directory of hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them.
Watch: Trash day in the City
We pick up leaf and yard waste from April to December on scheduled days. Leaf and yard waste will not be collected curbside on non-collection weeks.
- Place leaves and yard debris in large paper bags or open barrels labeled YARD WASTE. Do not use plastic bags.
- Tie branches with string. The maximum size for branches is three feet with a one-inch diameter. Do not put branches in barrels.
- Place barrels, bags, and branches curbside by 7 a.m.
- If you have two recycling days each week, yard waste collection is on the first recycling day of the week.
- Christmas trees are picked up during the first two weeks of January on your first recycling day and shredded for compost. The trees should be placed on the curb by 7 a.m. without ornaments or lights.
household hazardous waste
We hold household hazardous waste dropoff days for Boston residents four times a year.
At these events, you can also recycle electronics, clothing, and textiles. Learn more about hazardous waste, and what types of waste we accept:
Recycling electronics
If you are a Boston resident, you can also recycle your electronics at our dropoff events. We don't take commercial material from businesses. Learn more about what we will and won't take at our events.
Recycling clothing and textilesWe take everything, including pants, coats, hats, and suits. Please keep in mind: we will not take carpets, rugs, oil rags, mattresses, or wet or mildewed items. Learn more about the clothing items we take.
Paper shreddingWe offer paper shredding at all of our events. We will shred up to 10 copy paper size boxes or containers of your personal documents.
You can compost in your backyard, or even in your apartment.
Project Oscar
Don't have your own bin? Try a community compost in Boston.
Composting tips
By composting, you reduce your garbage, save money, and enrich the soil.
