Pickup Rules & Schedules: Lowell vs Somerville
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Lowell, MA and Somerville, MA?
Lowell and Somerville have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Lowell | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Pay-as-you-throw purple bags | - |
| Set-Out Time | By 7 a.m. collection day | - |
| Frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Holiday Delay | One day later | - |
| Contact | Lowell 311 or 978-674-4020 | - |
| 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.
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.
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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