cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

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Trash Regulations

Set trash out neatly at the curb by 7am on your trash day(s) or after 5pm the night before. Remember to separate trash from recycling on the curb.

Acceptable Containers

Barrels

Made of metal or durable plastic
Lid required
No larger than 32 gallons in capacity
When full, no heavier than 50 pounds
All garbage must be contained in tied trash bags

Bags

Trash bags
Made of 0.9 mil thick plastic
32 gallons or less
Setting trash out for pickup in kitchen bags, grocery store bags, paper bags, cartons, or boxes is not acceptable.

Items

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Acceptable Items for Regular Trash

household trash
food waste
household appliances
electronics
mattress/box spring
furniture
carpet (must be no longer than 3 feet and tied)
washer or dryer*
stove*
dishwasher*
hot water heater*

*after being picked up, portions of these items are recycled!

Acceptable Items Needing Special Pickup

Limit To 5 Items Per Household Per Year:

Call 617-635-4500 or place an online service request to schedule pickup of these items:

computer monitors*
televisions*
water coolers*
dehumidifiers*
refrigerators*
air conditioners*

*after being picked up, portions of these items are recycled

Unacceptable Items for Regular Trash

If these items are reusable, you can donate them. Or, you must hire a commercial rubbish hauler to collect them; search the yellow pages for listings.

bricks
automotive components
dirt, rocks, stones
fire debris
construction and demolition material
fences
oil drums
plumbing fixtures
more than a gallon of liquid waste (including cooking oil)
syringes and needles (for information about safe disposal, contact the Boston Needle Exchange Program at 617-592-7828)

Unacceptable Items for Regular Trash, but Acceptable by Other Means

tires
recyclable material
yard waste
hazardous material

Public Works

City Departments

Waste Reduction E-Newsletter

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Missed Pickup

If your trash or recycling was not picked up, please call the Mayor's Office (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at 617-635-4500 or place an online service request by following the link below.

Report Missed Trash/Recycling/Yard Waste/Bulk Item Pickup

Single Stream Recycling

Mayor Menino announces citywide expansion of the program.

Watch Video

cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

Trash Regulations

Acceptable Containers

Items

Public Works

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