Somerville, MA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Placement window
- 4:00 p.m. day before to 7:00 a.m.
- Collection frequency
- One day per week
- Barrel limit
- 50 lbs or 64 gallons
- Empty barrels removed by
- 7:00 p.m. collection day
- Bundled paper goods
- Up to 50 lbs
- Hazardous waste
- Banned from curb pickup
Summary
Somerville requires refuse to be set out no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day, with one weekly pickup. Barrels can't exceed 50 pounds or 64 gallons, and empty cans must be off the sidewalk by 7:00 p.m. The Department of Public Works enforces the schedule under Code of Ordinances § 11-31.
(g) Time of placement. All refuse shall be placed upon the sidewalk not earlier than 4:00 p.m. of the day prior to collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Additionally, all empty cans and lids will be removed from the sidewalk by 7:00 p.m. the day of collection. There will be one collection day weekly. If refuse is placed out for collection after 7:00 a.m. and the collector has already driven by the residence, the refuse will not be collected and the owner or occupant shall be responsible for removing the refuse from the sidewalk.
Full Breakdown
Somerville's household trash rules sit in Code of Ordinances § 11-31, administered by the commissioner of public works. on collection day; the city runs one collection day per week per address. and the truck has already passed, the owner or occupant must bring the barrels back in rather than leave them at the curb. the same day. Receptacles must be heavy plastic or metal with tight-fitting, flytight, rodent-resistant covers, and the resident's address should be marked on the side. Cardboard boxes and other nonregulation containers are treated as bulk waste and won't be collected as household rubbish.
Paper goods such as newspapers, magazines and flattened cardboard can be bundled and tied at up to 50 pounds instead of bagged. Hazardous materials, including gasoline, compressed gas cylinders, explosive chemicals and wet-cell batteries, are barred from the regular collection entirely and must be handled separately. Section 11-31(o) separately makes it illegal to bring trash from outside Somerville into the city for disposal or to dump refuse on any property other than the generator's own residence.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 11-31 is punishable by a fine under § 1-11, enforced through the noncriminal disposition process of G.L. c. 40, § 21D. Illegal dumping of household refuse or bulk items on someone else's property can additionally be prosecuted under G.L. c. 270, § 16. Owners remain responsible for removing refuse left at the curb past the collection window.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Somerville
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