Sterling trash & recycling schedule
Trash is picked up weekly; your day depends on your ZIP.
At a glance
| Trash | Weekly in 65-gal black-lid “trash” cart; lid closed; no bags outside cart. Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov |
|---|---|
| Curbside | 6:00–7:00 a.m. on collection day (night before per calendar). Checklist Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov |
| Recycling | Every other week zero-sort in 96-gal light blue lid cart; loose — never in plastic bags. Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov |
| Bulk | Casella Bulk Items Cost Sheet — resident must call Casella to schedule/pay (Public Works can't schedule). Bulk page Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov |
| Hauler | Casella Waste Systems (Town contract). |
| Contacts | Public Works 978-422-6767; Casella 888-532-2735; 171 Worcester Rd. Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov |
Curbside
Curbside checklist
City rules before collection day. Confirm with the city if anything looks off.
When
6:00–7:00 a.m. on collection day (night before per calendar).
Where
Automated cart spacing as above.
Limits
One trash + one recycling cart set per program; bulk fees per Casella sheet.
Not allowed
MassDEP banned materials listed on trash page; improper recycling costs town money.
Bags
Trash inside closed cart (bagged or loose in cart required).
Not yet confirmed: Fees and fines.
Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov
Add curbside reminder to Google CalendarFind your pickup day
Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov
Holidays
FY27 calendar: holiday on service day → +1 day for week.
Verified 2026-10-15 · sterling-ma.gov
Private junk pickup
Same-week haul for furniture or a cleanout in Sterling. Not affiliated with Town Rulebook or your city — you book directly.
Opens the vendor site. We do not book or take payment.
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Full details for Sterling: every rule, with sources
- Trash
- Town municipal curbside via Casella (~2700 households). Weekly in 65-gal black-lid “trash” cart; lid closed; no bags outside cart. Set out between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. collection day (calendar also says night before OK). Placement: ≥5 ft from obstacles, ≥1 ft from street, 3 ft from recycling cart. Banned-from-landfill items must not be in rubbish (wood, metals, cardboard, yard waste, appliances, TVs, etc.).
- Recycling
- Every other week zero-sort in 96-gal light blue lid cart; loose — never in plastic bags. Same placement/clearance rules; out of cart not picked up. Street index PDF: A/B recycling weeks.
- Bulk pickup
- Casella Bulk Items Cost Sheet — resident must call Casella to schedule/pay (Public Works can't schedule). Wachusett Regional Recycling Center for other items.
- Curbside: when
- 6:00–7:00 a.m. on collection day (night before per calendar).
- Curbside: where
- Automated cart spacing as above.
- Curbside: limits
- One trash + one recycling cart set per program; bulk fees per Casella sheet.
- Curbside: brush
- Yard waste banned from landfill — use WRRC or Casella yard options if offered; not in trash cart.
- Curbside: not allowed
- MassDEP banned materials listed on trash page; improper recycling costs town money.
- Curbside: bags
- Trash inside closed cart (bagged or loose in cart required).
- Curbside: fees and fines
- Not yet confirmed
- Holidays
FY27 calendar: holiday on service day → +1 day for week. Listed holidays affecting pickup: New Year's, Memorial, July 4, Labor, Thanksgiving, Christmas (may move next day). Snow delays via CodeRED / town site / Casella 888-532-2735.
- Hauler
- Casella Waste Systems (Town contract)
- Contacts
- Public Works 978-422-6767; Casella 888-532-2735; 171 Worcester Rd
- Find your day
- Sterling street index (day + A/B recycling week)
- Sources
- Trash and recycling: sterling-ma.gov
Bulk: sterling-ma.gov
Holidays: sterling-ma.gov
Curbside: sterling-ma.gov - Verified
- 2026-10-15
Town Rulebook is independent and not affiliated with any city or hauler. Schedules change — always confirm with your city. About & disclaimer