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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Watertown, MA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Watertown

  • Trash day: Fridays, collected by Republic Services
  • Recycling: biweekly on Tuesdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: call 311 — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Watertown is weekly on Fridays. Republic Services collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Tuesdays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Republic Services

Private hauler

Contact

311

Official website

Trash Pickup

Fridays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Tuesdays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Fridays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Tuesdays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Wednesdays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Republic Services for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Watertown 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 Watertown

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Call 311 or hauler

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Call your waste hauler for pricing.

Bulk pickup details for Watertown

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Watertown 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 Watertown

Composting in Watertown

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 Watertown.3 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Watertown

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Watertown?
Trash pickup in Watertown, MA is weekly on Fridays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Republic Services handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Tuesdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Watertown?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Watertown, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Watertown?
To schedule bulk pickup in Watertown, call 311 or your hauler. Call your waste hauler for pricing.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Watertown?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Watertown. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Republic Services 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 Watertown?
Watertown 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 Watertown have composting?
Yes, Watertown 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 Watertown?
If your trash was missed in Watertown, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Republic Services 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 Watertown?
Watertown has approximately 1 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 Watertown

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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