Worcester trash & recycling schedule
At a glance
| Trash | Trash only in official yellow bags: small $1 (15 lb limit), large $1.75 (30 lb limit) — retailers citywide. 7+ units excluded from curbside. Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov |
|---|---|
| Curbside | 5:00–7:00 a.m. on collection day (not day early per enforcement photos). Checklist Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov |
| Recycling | Free weekly same day as trash; zero-sort in ≤35-gal labeled open weatherproof container. Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov |
| Bulk | No curbside bulk (ordinance photos) — Residential Drop-Off Center by appointment via 311; low-cost bulk disposal. Bulk page Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov |
| Hauler | City of Worcester Public Works&P (municipal 1–6 units). |
| Contacts | Trash & Recycling 508-929-1300; [email protected]; 20 East Worcester St. Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov |
Curbside
Curbside checklist
City rules before collection day. Confirm with the city if anything looks off.
When
5:00–7:00 a.m. on collection day (not day early per enforcement photos).
Where
Curb; recycling bin labeled Recycling.
Limits
Bag weight limits 15/30 lb; recycling bin ≤35 gal.
Not allowed
Soiled pizza boxes (unless clean cardboard recycle), Styrofoam, plastic bags in recycling, electronics curbside, bulky at curb.
Bags
Yellow pay-as-you-throw bags only for trash.
Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov
Add curbside reminder to Google CalendarFind your pickup day
Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov
Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Shift |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2026 | 2026-01-01 | — |
| Mlk 2026 | 2026-01-19 | — |
| Presidents 2026 | 2026-02-16 | — |
| Patriots 2026 | 2026-04-20 | — |
| Memorial 2026 | 2026-05-25 | — |
| Juneteenth 2026 | 2026-06-19 | — |
| Labor 2026 | 2026-09-07 | — |
| Indigenous Peoples 2026 | 2026-10-12 | — |
| Veterans 2026 | 2026-11-11 | — |
| Thanksgiving 2026 | 2026-11-26 | — |
| Christmas 2026 | 2026-12-25 | — |
2026 observed holidays delay collection +1 day for remainder of week.
Verified 2026-10-15 · worcesterma.gov
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Full details for Worcester: every rule, with sources
- Trash
- City pay-as-you-throw for 1–6 unit residential buildings (7+ must private hauler; those residents may use Residential Drop-Off Center). Trash only in official yellow bags: small $1 (15 lb limit), large $1.75 (30 lb limit) — retailers citywide. Set recyclables and bagged trash between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. on scheduled day (map/calendar). 7+ units excluded from curbside.
- Recycling
- Free weekly same day as trash; zero-sort in ≤35-gal labeled open weatherproof container (City bins no longer issued after Sept 21, 2026 — use/store-bought tote). Clean, dry, not in plastic bags. Rejected loads: remove contamination or take to 1065 Millbury St Drop-Off Center.
- Bulk pickup
- No curbside bulk (ordinance photos) — Residential Drop-Off Center by appointment via 311; low-cost bulk disposal. Sharps banned from trash since 2012 — household hazardous waste Day collection in sealed containers.
- Curbside: when
- 5:00–7:00 a.m. on collection day (not day early per enforcement photos).
- Curbside: where
- Curb; recycling bin labeled Recycling.
- Curbside: limits
- Bag weight limits 15/30 lb; recycling bin ≤35 gal.
- Curbside: brush
- Yard waste programs via Public Works pages / drop-off — not in yellow bags per banned lists.
- Curbside: not allowed
- Soiled pizza boxes (unless clean cardboard recycle), Styrofoam, plastic bags in recycling, electronics curbside, bulky at curb.
- Curbside: bags
- Yellow pay-as-you-throw bags only for trash.
- Curbside: fees and fines
- Ordinance violations for early set-out, ripped bags, curbside bulk (education photos on trash disposal page).
- Holidays
- New Year's Day 2026 (2026-01-01): shift not yet confirmed
- Mlk 2026 (2026-01-19): shift not yet confirmed
- Presidents 2026 (2026-02-16): shift not yet confirmed
- Patriots 2026 (2026-04-20): shift not yet confirmed
- Memorial 2026 (2026-05-25): shift not yet confirmed
- Juneteenth 2026 (2026-06-19): shift not yet confirmed
- Labor 2026 (2026-09-07): shift not yet confirmed
- Indigenous Peoples 2026 (2026-10-12): shift not yet confirmed
- Veterans 2026 (2026-11-11): shift not yet confirmed
- Thanksgiving 2026 (2026-11-26): shift not yet confirmed
- Christmas 2026 (2026-12-25): shift not yet confirmed
2026 observed holidays delay collection +1 day for remainder of week (schedule page list: New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents, Patriots, Memorial, Juneteenth, Labor, Columbus/Indigenous, Veterans, Thanksgiving, Christmas). 2026 calendar PDF on site.
- Hauler
- City of Worcester Public Works&P (municipal 1–6 units)
- Contacts
- Trash & Recycling 508-929-1300; [email protected]; 20 East Worcester St
- Find your day
- Worcester collection map + 2026 trash/recycling calendar PDF
- Sources
- Trash and recycling: worcesterma.gov
Bulk: worcesterma.gov
Holidays: worcesterma.gov
Curbside: worcesterma.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