Providence, RI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Bin
- State-provided container required
- Mixing ban
- No non-recyclables in recycling bin
- Collection days
- Mon-Fri, with rubbish/garbage
- Fine
- $50.00 per violation
- Enforced by
- Director of public works
Summary
Providence requires households to sort recyclables into the state-provided bin and bars dumping them anywhere else, with fines for violations.
The owner or occupant of any premise or dwelling unit where recyclables shall accumulate shall store said recyclables in the state-provided special container/receptacle on said premises. Said owner or occupant shall deposit recyclables by placing them in or on top of the container.(b)Use. Said owner or occupant shall not locate such container/receptacle in any place which is not satisfactory to the director of public works. No person shall deposit recyclables in any other place other than such a recyclable receptacle as herein prescribed. No person shall deposit nonrecyclable materials in the special state-provided container.(c)Violations and penalties. Any person who shall violate any provision of this section, or any provision of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to authority granted by this section, shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided in section 1-10 of this Code of Ordinances.(d)Enforcement. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by the director of public works. (Ord. 1989, ch. 89-3, § 3, 4-17-89)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 12-61.2, every owner or occupant whose premises generate recyclables must store them in the state-provided special container and deposit them in or on top of it. No one may put recyclables in any other receptacle, and no one may put non-recyclable material into the state-provided recycling container. Recyclables are defined in Sec. 12-60 to include glass, food and beverage containers, newspaper, tin-coated steel cans, aluminum, white goods, and HDPE/PET plastic containers. The director of public works enforces the section, and recyclables go out with rubbish and garbage on the same weekly curbside collection schedule set in Sec. 12-64.
Violations & Fines
Violation is punished as provided in Sec. 1-10 of the Code; the fine schedule in the city's penalty table lists $50.00 for a recycling-ordinance violation under Sec. 12-61.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put recyclables out in a regular trash can?
What happens if I put trash in my recycling bin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Providence
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle recycling requirements.