Nashua, NH Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Nashua uses an automated side-loader truck for residential trash and recycling, and proper cart placement is required so the truck's arm can engage the cart cleanly. The Solid Waste Department publishes the following placement standards: position carts at the road edge, within 2 feet of the curb; maintain at least 3 feet of separation from mailboxes, fences, utility poles, and the other (recycling or trash) cart; keep carts at least 10 feet away from parked vehicles; the cart handle must face the house (so the lid opens toward the street); and avoid low-hanging branches and overhead wires. Carts must be set out no earlier than 24 hours before collection and must be at the curb by 6:45 a.m. on the collection day. 'Late set-outs will not be picked up.' Carts must be returned off the public right-of-way by the end of the collection day. Cart lids must be fully closed; overflow that prevents the lid from closing means the cart will not be collected. During winter, residents must clear snow and ice from the cart and maintain road access for the truck. Overflow trash can be handled with a $5 overflow sticker or hauled directly to Four Hills Landfill (840 West Hollis Street) with a $5 residential permit. Recycling is single-stream — paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, and accepted plastic containers all go in the same cart. Customer service is 603-589-3410.