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Trash & Recycling in Haverhill, MA (2026)

8 verified trash & recycling rules for Haverhill, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Pickup Rules & Schedules

In the City of Haverhill, the Board of Health holds legal authority over household trash pickup under City Code § 173-4, setting the rules that govern collection of house dirt, ashes, waste and rubbish from every estate. The Superintendent of Highways separately keeps streets and ways clear, but only the Board of Health decides how curbside collection runs.

Haverhill Trash Pickup Authority Rules

Some Restrictions

Haverhill City Code § 173-4

§ 173-4. Removal and disposal of waste and rubbish. ... The Superintendent of Highways shall have charge of the care and clearing of streets and ways within the City. The Board of Health, unless provided for by contract, shall have charge of the removal therefrom and disposal of all refuse, and of the collection, removal and disposal of all house dirt, ashes, waste and rubbish, except swill and...

Bin Placement Rules

In the City of Haverhill, City Code § 173-5 sets the rules for setting out trash and recycling containers: receptacles may sit at the curb only on the City's scheduled collection day, must be packed to keep contents from blowing loose, and paper must go out in a separate container from other rubbish.

Haverhill Trash and Recycling Bin Placement

Some Restrictions

Haverhill City Code § 173-5

§ 173-5. Receptacles placed for collection. A. No person shall place or permit to remain on any street, sidewalk or other public place any box, can, crate, cask, barrel, board, sign or any other thing, except ... approved receptacles ... and then only on such day or days of the week as may be appointed for the regular collection by the Board of Health ... ... B. All house dirt, paper or other l...

Recycling Requirements

In the City of Haverhill, the Director of Natural Resources oversees and supervises the citywide recycling program under City Code Section 32-28, but curbside pickup of recycled items stays under the control of the Board of Health. That split means the office that sets program policy is not the office that runs your weekly recycling truck route.

Recycling Program Administration in Haverhill

Light Restrictions

Haverhill City Code § 32-28

The Director of Natural Resources shall oversee and supervise the recycling program in the City of Haverhill, except the curbside pickup of recycled items which shall remain under the control of the Board of Health.

Illegal Dumping

In the City of Haverhill, it is illegal to place or deposit paper, house dirt, ashes, filth or any refuse or rubbish on a public street or place, a private way or lot, or within five feet of a fire hydrant, unless the spot is a designated public dump or the Board of Health has given written permission under City Code Section 11-39. A first offense draws a fine of up to $5,500, and each later offense up to $15,000.

Illegal Dumping Penalties in Haverhill

Heavy Restrictions

Haverhill City Code § 11-39A, B

No person, by himself, his servants or agents shall place or deposit or cause to be placed or deposited any paper, house dirt, ashes, filth or any kind of refuse or rubbish in or on any public street or place or in or on any private way, lot or other place or within five feet of a fire hydrant, excepting such places as have been set aside and designated as a public dump, unless such person shal...

Yard Waste Collection

The City of Haverhill runs a Municipal Composting Program under Chapter 131 that takes brush, grass and leaves from residents at a Highway Department drop-off site. Individual residents pay $45 a year (or $9 a day) for a disposal sticker, seniors 65 and older pay $30 a year, and commercial or nonresident users pay $44 per cubic yard. Finished compost is sold back to the public starting at $6 per cubic yard.

Yard Waste Disposal Fees in Haverhill

Some Restrictions

Haverhill City Code §§ 131-1, 131-2

§ 131-1. Establishment; purpose. ... There is hereby established a Municipal Composting Program, hereinafter called the "Program," which shall provide for the disposal of brush, grass and leaves. The Program shall be operated by the Highway Department at a location and at hours to be designated by the Superintendent of Highways. § 131-2. Fees. A. Fees for the disposal of brush, grass and leaves...

Dumpster Rules

In the City of Haverhill, commercial dumpsters, utility meters, mechanical units and loading areas built within the Waterfront District must be screened from pedestrian areas and the Merrimack River and cannot sit in the pedestrian right-of-way. The Zoning Ordinance makes this a mandatory site plan condition: a project that skips screening cannot receive by-right or special permit approval.

Haverhill Waterfront District Dumpster Screening

Some Restrictions

Haverhill City Code §§ 9.3.9(5), 9.3.20, 9.3.22 (Zoning, Waterfront District)

In addition to any standards and criteria set forth elsewhere in this chapter, the following standards shall apply for all projects, in every sub-zone constructed in the Waterfront District, with the exception of the construction of a single- or two-family structure. These standards are required to be met in order to receive approval: ... Dumpsters, utility meters, mechanical units and service/...

Collection Schedule

City Code § 173-4 gives Haverhill's Board of Health charge of collecting and disposing of house dirt, ashes, waste and rubbish from estates, and § 173-5 requires that trash only be set out in approved receptacles on Board-of-Health-appointed collection days.

Haverhill Residential Trash Collection Rules

Some Restrictions

Haverhill City Code §§ 173-4, 173-5

§ 173-4. Removal and disposal of waste and rubbish. ... The Superintendent of Highways shall have charge of the care and clearing of streets and ways within the City. The Board of Health, unless provided for by contract, shall have charge of the removal therefrom and disposal of all refuse, and of the collection, removal and disposal of all house dirt, ashes, waste and rubbish, except swill and...

Recycling Rules

In the City of Haverhill, once discarded newspapers or other recyclable material are placed near the curb for pickup, collection or recycling by the City or its designated contractor, City Code Section 11-39C bars anyone other than the property's owner, lessee, occupant or a Highway Department representative from taking them. Anyone else who picks them up or carries them away without authority is fined $300.

Curbside Recycling Theft Ban in Haverhill

Some Restrictions

Haverhill City Code § 11-39C

When refuse in the form of discarded newspapers is placed within the vicinity of the curb for pickup, collection or recycling by the City of Haverhill or by any person or corporation designated by the City in place thereof, any person, other than the owner, lessee, occupant or representative of the Haverhill Highway Department, who picks up, carries away or takes possession of said refuse, with...