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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Boston, MA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Boston

  • Trash day: Mondays, collected by Boston Public Works
  • Recycling: weekly on Mondays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: request online — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Boston is weekly on Mondays. Boston Public Works collects trash, recycling (weekly on Mondays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Boston Public Works

Municipal service

Contact

617-635-4900

Official website

Trash Pickup

Mondays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Mondays (weekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Mondays

Recycling Collection

Weekly

Mondays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Thursdays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Boston Public Works for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Boston accepts 14 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for Boston

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Request online

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Free — place out on trash day, call 311 for appliances

Bulk pickup details for Boston

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Boston by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for Boston

Composting in Boston

MandatoryCurbside pickup

Commercial food waste ban for generators of 1+ ton/week. Residential composting not mandatory but subsidized bin programs exist.

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in Boston.4 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Boston

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Boston?
Trash pickup in Boston, MA is weekly on Mondays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Boston Public Works handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected weekly on Mondays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Boston?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Boston, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Boston?
To schedule bulk pickup in Boston, request online. Free — place out on trash day, call 311 for appliances
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Boston?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Boston. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Boston Public Works for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in Boston?
Boston accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does Boston have composting?
Yes, Boston requires composting. Curbside composting is available — use your green bin for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in Boston?
If your trash was missed in Boston, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Boston Public Works at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in Boston?
Boston has approximately 3 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in Boston

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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Back to Boston overviewAll trash & recycling guides

Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Boston Public Works for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.