Trash & Recycling in Portland, ME (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Portland, Maine, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Portland operates a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system: trash is only collected if placed in official purple City of Portland bags, and recycling is collected weekly on the same scheduled day as trash. Carts must be curbside by 6:30 a.m. on collection day and returned by 8:00 p.m.
Pay-As-You-Throw Trash and Weekly Recycling Collection
Heavy RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Trash bags and the City-provided blue recycling bin must be placed at the curb (not in the travel lane or blocking sidewalks) by 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled collection day, and removed by 8:00 p.m. the same day.
Curbside Bin Placement and Set-Out Window
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Items weighing 30 lbs or less that don't fit in a purple PAYT bag are collected free (limit 10 per dwelling per year). Items over 30 lbs require a paid bulky-waste permit (currently $40 per item) obtained through the City's Citizen Self Service portal before set-out.
Bulky Waste Collection Permit Required for Large Items
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Portland uses single-stream recycling processed by ecomaine: paper, cardboard, plastic bottles/jugs/tubs, and metal cans go in the City-provided blue bin. Glass is collected separately in a glass-only bin. Plastic bags, food, and tanglers are not accepted.
Single-Stream Recycling — Paper, Plastic, Metal in Blue Bin; Glass Separated
Some RestrictionsIllegal Dumping
Dumping trash, construction debris, or yard waste on public ways, vacant lots, or private property without consent is prohibited under Maine's littering statute (17 M.R.S. §§ 2263-A, 2264-A): $100-$500 for under 15 lbs, $500+ (with treble damages and public-service hours) for over 15 lbs, and Title 38 § 349 penalties for commercial dumping over 500 lbs.
Illegal Dumping — State Littering Penalties Plus Local Enforcement
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
Portland offers seasonal curbside yard-waste collection in spring and fall on published dates. Year-round, residents may drop off leaves, grass clippings, brush, and garden waste free at Riverside Recycling (910 Riverside St). The City also operates a free community food-scrap composting program with multiple drop-off locations.
Seasonal Curbside Yard Waste Collection and Year-Round Drop-Off
Few RestrictionsLooking for Cumberland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Cumberland County →