City guide · Massachusetts
Boston Trash Pickup Schedule
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This Boston trash pickup schedule covers how the city assigns collection days by neighborhood zone instead of a single citywide schedule, and how the city leans on a purpose-built app rather than a printed calendar to keep residents on top of it. One holiday in particular, Patriots' Day, throws a wrinkle into the schedule that residents outside Massachusetts have never had to think about. Read on for exactly how the Boston garbage collection schedule works for garbage, recycling, and bulky-item collection in every neighborhood.
How often is trash picked up in Boston?
The Boston curbside collection schedule collects trash and recycling weekly, with your exact day determined by which neighborhood zone your address falls in.
| Stream | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | Weekly | Day varies by neighborhood zone |
| Recycling | Weekly | Same day as trash for most addresses |
| Furniture & bulky items | Weekly | Goes out with regular trash, no call needed |
Bring containers to the curb after 5 p.m. the evening before your collection day - putting them out earlier can result in a code violation.
Find your exact pickup day
Every address on the Boston trash collection calendar has its own pickup day, since the city runs by neighborhood zone - look up your specific address:
Look up your Boston pickup schedule →
Or download the free Trash Day app (iOS/Android) for a calendar view and reminders before schedule changes.
Bin placement rules
- Bring containers curbside after 5 p.m. the evening before collection
- Remove empty containers from the sidewalk after pickup
- Keep bulky items separate from bagged trash on the curb
Boston Trash Holiday Schedule
Five major holidays push the rest of that week's collection one day later. Patriots' Day, a Massachusetts-only state holiday in April, is different - it shifts every remaining day of that entire week, not just the days after it.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Affects pickup? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Yes - rest of week shifts one day |
| Patriots' Day | Mon, Apr 20 | Yes - entire week shifts one day (Mon→Tue ... Fri→Sat) |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Yes - rest of week shifts one day |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Yes - rest of week shifts one day |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Yes - rest of week shifts one day |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Yes - rest of week shifts one day |
What goes in each bin
Trash
WeeklyGoes in
- Bagged household waste
- Food-soiled paper
Keep out
- Appliances (schedule via 311 instead)
- Hazardous waste
Recycling
WeeklyGoes in
- Cardboard, flattened
- Paper & mail
- Metal & plastic bottles
Keep out
- Plastic bags & film
- Food-soiled containers
Furniture & Bulky
Weekly, with trashGoes in
- Furniture, single items
- Set out with regular trash day
Keep out
- Appliances (needs 311 request)
- Mattresses (needs separate scheduling)
Bulky items & appliances
Furniture can go out with your regular curbside trash and recycling on your scheduled collection day - no separate request needed. Appliances like refrigerators, TVs, and air conditioners are different: they must be scheduled through 311 (617-635-4500) or the Trash Day app before they'll be collected. Mattresses have their own dedicated mattress recycling program and also need to be scheduled ahead of your regular pickup day rather than just left at the curb.
Reporting illegal dumping
Report illegal dumping through Boston 311, available 24/7 by phone at 617-635-4500, online at boston.gov, or through the 311 mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Boston trash pickup schedule?
How do I find my Boston trash pickup day?
What time should I put my trash out in Boston?
Does a holiday delay trash pickup in Boston?
How do I get an appliance picked up in Boston?
Can I put furniture out with regular trash in Boston?
How do I dispose of a mattress in Boston?
How do I report illegal dumping in Boston?
More Massachusetts guides
Cambridge, MA
Trash & recycling days
Worcester, MA
Trash & recycling days
Somerville, MA
Trash & recycling days
Brockton, MA
Trash & recycling days
Shrewsbury, MA
Trash & recycling days
City contact & resources
City of Boston Public Works
Bookmark this Boston waste collection schedule and check back whenever a holiday shifts the calendar. Need more than curbside pickup? Compare local bulk & junk removal quotes. Browse all Massachusetts cities or the full state directory.