Meriden, CT Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Sets schedule
- Meriden City Council, by resolution
- Statutory authority
- Connecticut General Statutes § 7-148
- Contract oversight
- Director of Public Works
- Penalty
- Citation up to $250 per violation
- Continuing violation
- Each day is a separate offense
- Standard container limit
- 32 gallons, 75 lbs filled
Summary
Meriden's City Council, not a private schedule, decides how solid waste gets collected under § 176-1.D of the Solid Waste, Recycling and Littering ordinance. Before the City hires or contracts for collection, the Council must adopt a resolution setting the collection districts, the method and frequency of pickup, bonding requirements and other rules needed for residents' health and safety.
D. Power of the City Council. The City Council shall take such measures as it deems effectual for the removal or collection of solid waste, garbage, rubbish, recyclable solid waste and waste materials from the City and may, in such years when a determination and sufficient appropriation for the same has been made for such purpose, employ or make contracts with one or more persons or corporations for the removal of garage, rubbish, solid waste, recyclable solid waste or waste material under the direction of the Director of Public Works. Before such employment or contract begins, the City Council shall, by resolution, adopt regulations concerning collection which shall state the districts from which solid waste shall be collected, the method and frequency of collection, bonding requirements and all other regulations required for the health, welfare and safety of Meriden residents.
Full Breakdown
Section 176-1 opens Chapter 176 with the statutory authority for the ordinance, Connecticut General Statutes § 7-148, and its short title, the Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance. Subsection D gives the City Council the power to take whatever measures it finds effectual for removing or collecting solid waste, garbage, rubbish and recyclable material from the City, including contracting with one or more persons or corporations for that removal under the direction of the Director of Public Works. Before any such employment or contract begins, the Council must adopt, by resolution, regulations covering collection: the districts from which solid waste is collected, the method and frequency of collection, bonding requirements for contractors, and any other rule needed for residents' health, welfare and safety.
Subsection E separately empowers the Department of Public Works to run a bulky-waste pickup program and write its own regulations for it, so long as those rules do not conflict with Chapter 176. Subsection F extends the chapter's reach to anyone transporting solid waste in the City, collector or not, and Subsection G requires all solid waste and recyclable material to be disposed of only at sites and under conditions the Director of Public Works approves. Chapter 176 defines a STANDARD CONTAINER as watertight, with a tight-fitting cover, not over 35 pounds empty or 75 pounds filled, and no more than 32 gallons.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 176 is enforced by citation under § 176-1.C(1), issued by a Meriden police officer, the Director of Public Works, a sanitarian, the Director of Health and Human Services, the Associate Director of Health or the Environmental Health Administrator. A violation carries a citation of up to $250, and each day the violation persists counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides Meriden's trash collection days and frequency?
Can the Meriden Department of Public Works change bulky waste pickup rules on its own?
What is the fine for a solid waste violation in Meriden?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Meriden
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