Pickup Rules & Schedules: Ayer vs Lowell
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Ayer, MA and Lowell, MA?
Ayer and Lowell 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 →Lowell, MA
Middlesex County
Lowell provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection. Residents must use approved barrels or city-issued purple bags and set out containers by 7 a.m. on their collection day.
View full Lowell rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ayer | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | By 7 a.m. collection day |
| Program | - | Pay-as-you-throw purple bags |
| Frequency | - | Weekly |
| Holiday Delay | - | One day later |
| Contact | - | Lowell 311 or 978-674-4020 |
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.
Lowell FAQ
Where do I buy purple bags?
Official Lowell purple trash bags are sold at participating grocery and hardware stores citywide.
What if my trash is missed?
Report missed pickups to Lowell 311 within 24 hours so the contractor can return.
Compare other topics
See how Ayer and Lowell compare on other ordinance categories.
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