Pickup Rules & Schedules: Ayer vs Somerville
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Ayer, MA and Somerville, MA?
Ayer and Somerville 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 →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Somerville provides weekly curbside trash collection on a zone schedule. Set out no earlier than 4 pm the day before collection, use city-issued or approved barrels, and remove empties by the end of pickup day.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ayer | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | - |
| Frequency | - | Weekly |
| Set-out earliest | - | 4 pm day before |
| Barrel limit | - | 32 gal or 50 lbs |
| Buildings 5+ units | - | Private hauler required |
| Holiday delay | - | One day all week |
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.
Somerville FAQ
What if I miss my pickup day?
Report missed pickups to Somerville 311 by the next business day. DPW schedules a recovery pickup when the miss is confirmed.
Can I put out extra bags?
Extra overflow requires a city trash sticker purchased from authorized retailers. Unstickered extra bags are left at the curb.
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