Trash & Recycling in Cranston, RI (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Cranston, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Cranston lets you put rubbish out no earlier than noon the day before collection and requires it at the curb by 6:15 a.m. on collection day, or you must take it back until the next scheduled day.
Cranston Trash Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.12.120
It shall be unlawful for any person to place upon a public sidewalk or highway any can, box or receptacle containing rubbish, garbage, trash and weeds, for collection and removal by the department of public works of the city before 12:00 noon on the day preceding the day the city has designated as its day for collection and removal. Every person shall place said rubbish, trash, weeds and garbag...
Bin Placement Rules
Cranston requires dumpsters and trash receptacles at restaurants, stores, apartment buildings, and other commercial or multi-unit properties to be enclosed from public view on three sides while still allowing safe truck or hand removal.
Cranston Trash Receptacle Screening Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.28.050
There shall be a sufficient number of trash receptacles installed on-site for customer use. Any so-called dumpster or trash receptacle, including but not limited to, restaurants, shopping centers, fast food outlets, stores, motels, industrial establishments, office buildings, apartment buildings, multi-unit developments, and gas stations, shall be designed and constructed to be enclosed from pu...
Bulk Item Disposal
Cranston picks up bulky items free twice a year, March and September, capped at three items per pickup and by appointment only.
Cranston Bulk Waste Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.12.121
Disposal of bulky waste (defined as any object that will not fit into a roll out cart) is the responsibility of the property owner... The department of public works shall pick up bulky waste during the months of March and September, free of charge... Each residential property shall be eligible for one pick up in the month of March and one pick up in the month of September. Pick ups will be limi...
Recycling Requirements
Cranston runs a mandatory curbside recycling program under Chapter 8.32, requiring residents to source-separate recyclables and set out a city-issued bin weekly, with fines up to $200.00 for noncompliance.
Cranston Mandatory Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.32.010(A), (C)(1)(a)
A mandatory recycling program is implemented in the city pursuant to Chapters 23-18.8, 23-18.9, and 23-19 Rhode Island General Laws, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Municipal Recycling Regulations as amended. ... The city shall provide for collection of mixed recyclables once per week from residents in dwellings serviced by the existing curbside collection contract.
Illegal Dumping
Dumping waste or debris on any public street or highway, or within 300 feet of one, is unlawful in Cranston, punishable by a fine up to $200 per violation plus mandatory removal.
Cranston Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.16.030
It shall be unlawful for any person to throw or deposit any waste material or debris upon any public highway or platted street, or within three hundred (300) feet thereof, except in public receptacles or in authorized private receptacles for collection, or to overload, or cause to be overloaded, any vehicle carrying or transporting any waste material debris, sand, gravel, coal, ashes, stone, or...
Yard Waste Collection
Cranston collects leaves and yard waste curbside once a week, April 1 through December 15, in approved biodegradable bags or marked containers.
Cranston Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.32.010
Leaves and yard waste shall be placed at curbside in municipally approved recyclable, reusable or disposable biodegradable containers for collection separate and apart from other disposable and recyclable material during the time period commencing April 1st and ending December 15th of each year. "Yard waste" means organic material such as, but not limited to, leaves, grass clippings, hedge clip...
Dumpster Rules
Cranston requires commercial dumpsters to be covered, screened from the street, serviced only 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and set back at least ten feet from side or rear lot lines, with fines up to $200 per day for violations.
Cranston Commercial Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.12.153
All dumpsters shall be covered, and the name, address, and telephone number of the commercial waste contractor or hauler shall be prominently displayed on the exterior of each container. Any overflowing refuse container shall be in violation of the Health and Safety Code. All dumpsters shall be screened by fencing or shrubbery if visible from the street. Refuse shall be collected at least onc...
Collection Schedule
Cranston runs a mandatory recycling program with once-a-week curbside pickup of recyclables on the same day as trash, set by the public works director.
Cranston Weekly Recycling Collection
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.32.010
mandatory recycling will be accomplished by source separation with curbside collection. a. Curbside Collection. The city shall provide for collection of mixed recyclables once per week from residents in dwellings serviced by the existing curbside collection contract. The collection of mixed recyclables shall be accomplished on the same day as the collection of non-recyclable materials. This ...
Recycling Rules
Cranston mandates curbside source-separated recycling for every household, collected weekly on trash day. Under the no bins, no pick-up policy, haulers skip unsorted or bin-less sets, and residents who leave refuse past the curbside deadline face escalating fines.
Cranston Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.32.010
Residents shall be required to separate recyclable material and properly place it in the approved recycling containers. If found non-compliant in accordance with subsection (B)(5) it shall be the responsibility of the resident to remove from the curbside by 11:59PM on the designated trash collection day, all refuse that has not been collected by the hauler due to non-compliance with the no bin,...