Everett, MA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Section 16-55(a) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, controls set-out. Acceptable solid waste and recyclable materials are placed in suitable containers at the outer edge of the sidewalk appurtenant to the premises, not later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of scheduled collection and not earlier than sunset of the preceding day. Reusable solid waste containers and recycling containers must be removed from the sidewalk as soon as possible after collection and in no case later than 12:00 midnight of collection day. Sub-paragraph (1) bars any container from extending beyond the property line abutting the sidewalk so as to obstruct the walkway.

Section 16-26 adds the containment rules. Containers must be kept covered at all times (Section 16-26(d)), and a container that does not conform to prescribed standards, or has defects likely to hamper collection or injure the collector or the public, must be replaced promptly after written notice from the city services commission. Between collections, Section 16-26(i) requires trash and trash containers to be stored in the yard behind the primary residential or commercial structure, in the garage, or in the side yard of the primary residential structure. The code enforcement director or city services director can grant exceptions in neighborhoods where certain housing types prohibit compliance.

Two related prohibitions protect set-out containers. Section 16-55(c) bars anyone from willfully or maliciously tipping over or spilling a container holding rubbish. Section 16-32 fines anyone other than an authorized agent of the City of Everett who opens a container placed on the sidewalk for collection or removes items from it. Section 16-26(g) also forbids dumping household solid waste in a public litter receptacle on a sidewalk.