Pawtucket, RI Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Container requirement
- City-issued carts only
- Bulky waste
- Requires DPW appointment
- Yard waste season
- April through December
- E-waste
- Banned from curb and landfill
- Furniture pickup limit
- 3 pieces per appointment, free
Summary
Pawtucket's curbside collection rules under City Code § 347-14 require trash in City-issued carts only, cardboard separated for recycling, and bulky items like furniture and appliances scheduled in advance with Public Works. E-waste, construction debris and hazardous liquids are banned from the curb entirely.
§ 347-14. Refuse collection rules. ...A. Loose garbage will not be collected. All garbage must be in the City trash cart to be collected... B. All refuse receptacles must be watertight. Receptacles must be free from jagged or sharp edges... C. Only City trash and recycling carts are acceptable containers for curbside collection... F. Cardboard must be separated from the trash and placed in a recycling cart for recycling. Trash placed in cardboard will not be accepted or collected. ...J. Bulky waste. ...Residents or property owners must contact the Department of Public Works to schedule an appointment for bulky waste collection... Q. Hazardous E-waste (computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, and TV's) shall not be put out with the trash and is banned from the landfill.
Full Breakdown
Section 347-14 lays out a long list of what can and cannot go to the curb in Pawtucket. Loose garbage is refused outright: "Loose garbage will not be collected. All garbage must be in the City trash cart to be collected," and only City-issued carts count, since "only City trash and recycling carts are acceptable containers for curbside collection" under subsection (C). " A long list of banned curbside materials includes construction debris, tires, motor oil, hazardous liquids and, under subsection (Q), "hazardous E-waste (computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, and TV's)," which is "banned from the landfill" and must go to the Transfer Station or a designated e-waste drop-off site instead.
Violations & Fines
Setting out bulky waste without a scheduled appointment is an illegal disposal under § 347-14(J)(3), and the property owner, including for violations committed by tenants, faces a written notice to remove the items within 24 hours before the City removes them and recovers its costs plus administrative fees through civil action or a property lien under § 347-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave loose trash at the curb in Pawtucket instead of using a cart?
How do I get bulky items like a couch or refrigerator picked up in Pawtucket?
Can I put electronics out with my regular trash in Pawtucket?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pawtucket
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Pickup Rules & Schedules in Nearby Cities
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