Pickup Rules & Schedules: Ayer vs Cambridge
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Ayer, MA and Cambridge, MA?
Ayer and Cambridge have similar restriction levels.
Ayer, MA
Middlesex County
Each Middlesex County municipality runs its own curbside collection. Cambridge, Somerville, and Newton use Pay-As-You-Throw or standardized carts with weekly pickup.
View full Ayer rules →Cambridge, MA
Middlesex County
Cambridge Department of Public Works collects residential trash once per week on a zone-based schedule. Carts must be placed curbside by 6 AM on collection day and removed by the following morning.
View full Cambridge rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ayer | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | MGL c.21H | - |
| Waste Bans | 310 CMR 19.017 | - |
| Food Waste Ban | Over 1/2 ton (Nov 2022) | - |
| Cambridge Compost | Mandatory curbside | - |
| Set-Out Time | Evening before or 7 a.m. | - |
| Collection frequency | - | Once per week by zone |
| Set-out time | - | After 5 PM prior evening, by 6 AM day-of |
| Cart removal | - | Remove by end of collection day |
| Overflow | - | Yellow overflow sticker required |
| Large buildings | - | 7-plus units use private hauler |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Ayer FAQ
When is my trash day?
Collection days vary by street. Use your city website or download the Recycle Coach or Recyclopedia app to look up your address.
Can I put yard waste in my trash?
No. Yard waste is banned from disposal under 310 CMR 19.017. Use the separate yard waste collection or a municipal compost site.
Cambridge FAQ
When should I put my trash out?
No earlier than 5 PM the evening before and no later than 6 AM on your collection day.
What if I have extra trash?
Buy a yellow Cambridge overflow sticker and affix it to each extra bag.
Compare other topics
See how Ayer and Cambridge compare on other ordinance categories.
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