Dos and Don'ts

• Use our Recycling Guide and the Recycle Smart MA Recyclopedia to know what items can and cannot be recycled.
• To avoid recyclables from blowing out of your bin, place heavier items on top.
• Plastic shopping bags and black or white trash bags cannot be recycled.
• For the safety of our employees, please do not place medical waste in your trash. Learn more about where to safely dispose of syringes and needles.
• Stay up to date on the Massachusetts Waste Bans.

Place your trash and recycling curbside on collection day.

• Find your collection schedule.
• Set recyclables and trash at the curb between 6 – 7:30 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Placing them out early could lead to torn bags, and large items left on the curb are not only unsightly but a violation of municipal ordinance.
• Only trash in a designated City of Worcester yellow trash bag will be collected.
  • Bags can be purchased at local retailers and at the Worcester 311 Customer Service Center.
  • Small yellow city trash bags have a 15-pound weight limit.
  • Large yellow city trash bags have a 30-pound weight limit.
  • Keep your curb tidy – recyclables should be contained in your lidded bin to prevent spillage and littering.

Make an appointment to dispose of bulk items.

• Illegal dumping is not only a nuisance, it carries a hefty fine. Large items left on the curb are a violation of municipal ordinance.
• To dispose of bulk items (for example: furniture, appliances, and electronics) properly, schedule an appointment at the 1065 Millbury Street Residential Drop-Off & Recycling Center.
  • The Residential Drop-Off center is typically open April-November.
  • Appointments are scheduled for a 30-minute timeframe and can be scheduled up to 48 hours in advance.
  • For curbside pick-up with a per-item fee, you can call the municipality’s recycling contractor, Casella Waste Management of Massachusetts, Inc. at 508-832-2349.

Dispose of hazardous waste at our Household Hazardous Waste Days.

• The City of Worcester holds two annual drop-off days specifically for household hazardous waste. The program is free for Worcester residents to participate.
• View the schedule and make an appointment.
• Appointments are scheduled for a 30-minute timeframe and can be scheduled up to 48 hours before the desired appointment date/time.

• As Worcester landlord, it is your job to educate your tenants on their responsibilities as residents.
• Tell tenants they can access information about our trash and recycling services by visiting worcesterma.gov/trash-recycling.

• Create a waste management plan with your tenants.
• Make sure trash is being taken out each week. Trash not collected regularly will attract critters and insects.
• Make sure your residents have recycling containers.

• If you don't comply with our regulations, you may receive a ticket from Inspectional Services.
• Residents can report offenses to 311.