Zero Waste Program

Building on decades of leadership - including our pioneering Pay-As-You-Throw program and the Green Worcester Plan - we work to reduce litter through community cleanups and expanded public trash and recycling bin access, maintain a successful Drop-Off Center, educate residents on sustainable waste practices and city services, and promote waste reduction citywide.

Worcester's First Zero Waste Master Plan

In Spring 2025, the City of Worcester launched the development of our first Zero Waste Master Plan - an aspirational and comprehensive roadmap toward a more sustainable future. In alignment with our Green Worcester Plan, the Plan will include clear, actionable steps to prevent and reduce waste in the City.

Learn about the Zero Waste Master Plan and how to get involved. To learn more about waste in Worcester, check out our Green Worcester Dashboard.

WooBins: Worcester's Public Space Trash & Recycling Bins

Trash/Recycling Bin with Left Half Trash Item Examples and Right Half Recycle Item Examples

The WooBins program is part of Worcester's ongoing effort to make our neighborhoods cleaner, more livable, and environmentally responsible. The program led by the Department of Sustainability & Resilience in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and the Quality of Life Team, supports the City's Strategic Plan and Green Worcester Plan.

In April 2025, Worcester launched the WooBins Pilot Project where 30 WooBins, which separate trash and recycling, were installed in areas of high foot traffic and frequent litter concerns. The project has since expanded to 150 bins across the city, aimed to reduce litter throughout Worcester. Locations for the bins were informed by the results of a public Crowdsource Map (that ran from 12/20/24 - 1/31/25 and gathered 830 suggested locations from residents), feedback from community stakeholders, proximity to bus stops, sufficient sidewalk space, lessons learned during the first pilot phase, and litter complaints received through our 311 system.

In May 2025, original designs by local artists were selected to appear on 50 of the new bins across Worcester. This initiative—a collaboration between the Department of Sustainability and Resilience, Cultural Development Division, and Worcester Cultural Coalition— celebrates our city's diverse communities and inspires pride in our neighborhoods, while promoting a cleaner, greener Worcester.

The Clean Streets Collective

The Clean Streets Collective is a city initiative that encourages residents and community-based organizations (CBOs) to take an active role in keeping Worcester's neighborhoods clean. The Department of Sustainability & Resilience, in partnership with the Quality of Life Team and the Department of Public Works, supports the volunteers by providing free green trash bags to the residents (via community organization they partner with) for voluntary litter cleanups. Filled bags are collected by the sanitation team on regular weekly trash pickup days.

The success of this program relies on the involvement of our local CBOs. As a participating organization, each CBO helps recruit volunteers and provide important details, manage enrollment, distribute the official green bags to participants, and share feedback with the City about the program's successes and challenges.

Thank you to our current community partners!

Worcester Green Corps
Green Island Residents Group, Inc.
Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness (sign up in person at 78 Burncoat St, Worcester, or email bcawworcester@gmail.com)

This program thrives through strong community partnerships, and getting involved is easy and free!

Are you a Community Based Organization? Sign Up to Become a Clean Streets Collective Partner.
Are you a resident? Sign up with one of the current CBOs that is already participating. Better yet - encourage your favorite CBO to join as a partner!

Email zerowaste@worcesterma.gov for more information.

For individuals who are CSC members and need assistance with having their green bags picked up (e.g., due to their residence utilizing private trash collection), please use the Pickup Request Form.