Cranston, RI Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- Once per week
- Collection day
- Same as trash day
- Program basis
- Mandatory under state law
- First-offense penalty
- Warning, no fine
- Repeat-violation fine
- Up to $200.00
Summary
Cranston runs a mandatory recycling program with once-a-week curbside pickup of recyclables on the same day as trash, set by the public works director.
mandatory recycling will be accomplished by source separation with curbside collection.
a. Curbside Collection. The city shall provide for collection of mixed recyclables once per week from residents in dwellings serviced by the existing curbside collection contract. The collection of mixed recyclables shall be accomplished on the same day as the collection of non-recyclable materials. This day shall be designated by the director of public works.
b. No Bin, No Pick-up Policy. Residents shall be required to separate recyclable material and properly place it in the approved recycling containers. If found non-compliant in accordance with subsection (B)(5) it shall be the responsibility of the resident to remove from the curbside by 11:59PM on the designated trash collection day, all refuse that has not been collected by the hauler due to non-compliance with the no bin, no pick-up policy or any other department of public works regulations. In such event, the resident shall prepare the recyclable and non-recyclable refuse in a compliant manner for collection by the hauler for collection the following week. Failure to remove from curbside by said deadline shall result in the issuance of a fine for each subsequent day from the time the violation occurred.
c.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Cranston's mandatory recycling program is implemented under Rhode Island General Laws Chapters 23-18.8, 23-18.9, and 23-19 plus DEM municipal recycling regulations. The city provides curbside collection of mixed recyclables once per week for dwellings on the existing curbside contract, on the same day as regular trash pickup. The director of public works sets each address's collection day and issues the required recycling container. Compliance is mandatory, not optional, for residents on city service.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliant residents get a first-offense warning logged by public works; repeat failure to separate recyclables or clear a rejected "no bin, no pick-up" set-out by 11:59 p.m. draws a municipal court summons and a fine up to $200.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling optional in Cranston?
How often is recycling picked up in Cranston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
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Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle collection schedule.