TownValetBoston Public Works collects trash, single-stream recycling and seasonal leaf and yard waste at no charge. Curbside recycling covers buildings with fewer than seven units, and the City gives buildings with six units or fewer a free blue recycling cart (one new cart per calendar year). You buy your own trash barrel; larger buildings follow separate large-building rules.
Trash & recycling zones map
8 trash & recycling zones in the city’s data, coloured by collection day. Tap a zone to see its schedule.
Holidays: Boston says trash and recycling pickups are delayed in some neighborhoods during a holiday week; it publishes no exact rule.
Collection schedules at a glance
| Every Friday | 1 zone |
| Every Monday | 1 zone |
| Every Monday & Friday | 1 zone |
| Every Monday & Thursday | 1 zone |
| Every Thursday | 1 zone |
| Every Tuesday | 1 zone |
| Every Tuesday & Friday | 1 zone |
| Every Wednesday | 1 zone |
Coming up: holidays
| Holiday | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Day | Wednesday November 11, 2026 | Holiday: pickups may change. Check the city’s notice. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday November 26, 2026 | Holiday: pickups may change. Check the city’s notice. |
| Christmas Day | Friday December 25, 2026 | Holiday: pickups may change. Check the city’s notice. |
| New Year’s Day | Friday January 1, 2027 | Holiday: pickups may change. Check the city’s notice. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday January 18, 2027 | Holiday: pickups may change. Check the city’s notice. |
The city says: “Trash and recycling pickups are delayed in some neighborhoods during the holiday week. To check your schedule, use the Trash Day app.” (source). All holidays for the next 12 months.
What goes where
Trash (your own black or gray barrel)
- Black plastic containers
- Styrofoam
- Plastic utensils and straws
- Cords, ropes, hoses and hangers
- VHS tapes
- Alkaline and button batteries
- Broken glassware and ceramics
- Furniture (on your collection day)
Not: Construction debris; Auto parts; Plumbing fixtures and water heaters; Fences; Medical waste and needles; Fridges, TVs and A/Cs (special pickup); Rechargeable and lithium batteries.
Everything has to fit inside the barrel with the lid on; an overfilled barrel can bring a $100 fine.
Recycling (blue cart, single stream)
- Cardboard, flattened (under 3 feet)
- Cereal boxes and egg cartons
- Office paper, newspaper and junk mail
- Paper bags and magazines
- Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and lids
- Soda, beer and food cans
- Clean aluminum foil
- Glass bottles and jars
Not: Plastic bags; Black plastic; Styrofoam; Batteries; Scrap metal like pots and pans; Clothes and textiles; Electronics; Items smaller than 2 inches.
Items go in loose, clean and dry; don't bag recyclables or line the cart with a plastic bag.
Leaf and yard waste (seasonal)
- Leaves
- Grass and garden trimmings
- Branches tied in bundles (under 3 ft, 1 in thick)
- Bamboo cut under 3 feet
- Christmas trees (two weeks after Christmas)
Not: Plastic bags; Dirt and mulch; Invasive plants; Contractor barrels; City recycling carts.
Collected on your trash day during scheduled weeks from April to December, in paper bags or barrels with a City yard waste sticker; not offered for buildings over 6 units.
Summarised in our own words from the city’s pages, checked Monday October 26, 2026. The city’s list is the one that counts.
Setting out, and big items
- When to put it outPut trash and recycling at the curb after 5 p.m. the evening before collection and no later than 6 a.m. on collection day. Setting out early can bring a $25 fine. Trash must be in a black or gray barrel with a lid, or in heavy plastic bags (2-ply or at least 0.9 mm); kitchen bags, grocery bags and cardboard boxes don't count. Source
- Furniture and other large itemsFurniture can go out with regular trash on your collection day. Items containing Freon or picture tubes (fridges, freezers, A/Cs, dehumidifiers, water coolers, TVs, monitors, laptops) need a special collection appointment: up to 5 items per appointment and 10 per year. Remove fridge and freezer doors and all food, and put items out after 5 p.m. the night before or by 6 a.m. Mattresses must also be scheduled. Source
Parking rules and permits
Parking
- Street sweepingDaytime street cleaning runs April 1 to November 30 in most neighborhoods (March 1 to December 31 in the North End, South End and Beacon Hill), and main roads are swept at night all year. Follow the posted signs; cars left in the way are ticketed and towed, with a state-set maximum of $132 for the tow plus $35 a day for storage. You can sign up for email reminders through Notify Boston. Source
- Holiday parking and sweepingOn most City holidays, daytime street cleaning is canceled but overnight cleaning still happens, and parking meters are usually free with no time limit. The City publishes the list for each year, including exceptions such as days when Sunday parking rules apply. Source
Permits
- Resident parking permitResidents can get a neighborhood parking sticker if their car is registered and principally garaged in their name at their current Boston address. Apply online within 10 days of moving in (the permit arrives in about 10 business days), or bring your Massachusetts registration and proof of residency to the Parking Clerk at City Hall, Room 224, and get it the same day. Short-term permits are also available for rental cars, up to 30 days. Source
- Block party (Play Street Closing Permit)To close a residential street for a block party, apply online for a Play Street Closing Permit at least 30 days ahead; approval takes about 30 business days. The permit doesn't cover alcohol, amplified music, grills, bouncy houses or vendors (those need a separate Outdoor Public Event application), and it doesn't remove parked cars. Keep a 20-foot lane open for emergency vehicles. Source
Sources and freshness
| Dataset | Publisher | Licence | Data updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trash Schedules by Address | City of Boston, Analyze Boston | Open Data Commons Public Domain Dedication and License (PDDL) | 2026-11-02 |
| Trash Collection Days (zones) | City of Boston, Analyze Boston | Open Data Commons PDDL | 2026-11-02 |
| Street Sweeping Schedules | City of Boston, Analyze Boston | Open Data Commons PDDL | 2026-11-01 |
Last refresh failed (Monday November 2, 2026); showing data from Monday November 2, 2026. 395,031 addresses matched to a zone. How this works.