City guide · Massachusetts
Cambridge Trash Pickup Schedule
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This Cambridge trash pickup schedule covers all four weekly services - trash, recycling, compost, and yard waste - assigned by neighborhood zone rather than a single citywide day. The city is strict about containers, too: anything set out that isn't the assigned cart simply gets left behind. Read on for exactly how the Cambridge garbage collection schedule works for garbage, recycling, compost, and yard waste in every zone.
How often is trash picked up in Cambridge?
The Cambridge curbside collection schedule collects trash, recycling, compost, and yard waste weekly, all on the same day for a given address.
| Stream | Frequency | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | Weekly | City-provided cart only |
| Recycling | Weekly | City-provided cart only |
| Compost | Weekly | City-provided bin |
| Yard waste | Weekly, seasonal | City-provided cart or approved bags |
Materials placed in any container other than the assigned city cart will not be collected.
Find your exact pickup day
Every address on the Cambridge trash collection calendar has its own pickup day, assigned by neighborhood zone and published on the DPW's Recycle and Trash Map:
Look up your Cambridge pickup schedule →
Questions? Call Cambridge DPW at (617) 349-4800.
Bin placement rules
- Carts out no earlier than 5 PM the night before collection
- At the curb by 6 AM on collection day
- Removed from public space by the end of the collection day
Cambridge Trash Holiday Schedule
Cambridge delays collection for nearly every observed holiday, including several that many other cities skip entirely - the one clear exception is Independence Day, when collection runs on its normal day.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Affects pickup? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Patriots' Day | Mon, Apr 20 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Independence Day (observed) | Fri, Jul 3 | No - collection runs as normal |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Yes - suspended, rest of week shifts one day |
What goes in each bin
Trash
WeeklyGoes in
- Bagged household waste, in the city cart
- Food-soiled paper
Keep out
- Loose items (no cart)
- Hazardous waste
Recycling
WeeklyGoes in
- Cardboard, flattened
- Paper & mail
- Metal & plastic bottles
Keep out
- Plastic bags & film
- Food-soiled containers
Compost & Yard Waste
Weekly, seasonalGoes in
- Food scraps in compost bin
- Grass, leaves, small branches
Keep out
- Plastic bags
- Treated wood
Bulk item pickup
For large or bulky items outside the regular weekly streams, contact Cambridge DPW directly at (617) 349-4800 to schedule collection - the department can walk you through current options and any requirements for your specific item.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cambridge trash pickup schedule?
How often is trash picked up in Cambridge?
What time should I put my trash out in Cambridge?
Does a holiday delay trash pickup in Cambridge?
How do I find my Cambridge pickup day?
What happens if I use the wrong container in Cambridge?
How do I contact Cambridge DPW about trash service?
More Massachusetts guides
Boston, 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 Cambridge Department of Public Works
Bookmark this Cambridge 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.