Effective waste management is crucial for maintaining clean, healthy communities, and Watertown, MA provides comprehensive trash and recycling services to support residents’ needs. Understanding the local trash pick up system helps homeowners stay compliant, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the city’s sustainability efforts.
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Trash Pick Up Schedule in Watertown
Watertown operates a structured trash and recycling collection system with specific guidelines to ensure efficient waste management. Residents must follow key requirements:
- Containers must be placed out by 7:00 AM on collection day
- Place containers in the middle of driveway openings
- Keep bins at least three feet from other objects
- Containers can be put out after 7 PM the night before collection
Residential Trash Collection
Watertown provides residential trash collection with the following specifications:
- One 64-gallon trash tote per household
- Trash must be bagged and placed in black containers
- Lids must be completely closed
- Replacement totes available for $76 through City Hall Systems
Recycling Services
Recycling follows an alternating week (A/B) collection schedule:
- Recycling collected every other week
- 96-gallon recycling totes available
- Do NOT bag recyclables
- Specific restrictions on recyclable materials apply
Prohibited Recycling Items:
- Plastic bags and film plastics
- Styrofoam
- Black plastic
- Items smaller than a smartphone
- Polystyrene containers
Bulk & Large Item Pick Up
Residents can schedule pickups for:
- Furniture
- TVs and monitors
- White goods and appliances
- Contact Republic Services at 781-289-0500 or 844-737-8254
- Collection fees vary by item size and type
Yard Waste & Seasonal Services
Yard waste collection follows specific guidelines:
- Collected on scheduled trash days during specific months
- April: Three full weeks of collection
- May-August: Periodic pickups
- September-December: Weekly collection
- Use paper bags or loose containers
- No dirt or rocks allowed
Holiday Trash Pick Up Changes
When holidays occur, trash and recycling collection is postponed by one day. 2025 holidays include:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
How to Find or Request Services
Residents can:
- Check collection schedule using MapGeo address lookup
- Order replacement bins online
- Contact Public Works at 617-972-6420
- Email [email protected]
Watertown’s trash pick up services provide residents with a structured, environmentally conscious waste management system. By following guidelines and staying informed, community members can contribute to efficient, sustainable waste collection.
For the most current information, always check the official Watertown website or contact Public Works directly.
FAQ
Why hasn’t my garbage been picked up today?A garbage truck might skip your trash pickup for several reasons. Common reasons include improper sorting of waste, overweight or oversized containers, blocked access to the garbage due to parked vehicles or construction, hazardous materials in the garbage, or severe weather conditions.
How to get rid of furniture in Watertown, MA?Household Furniture Disposal:
Please schedule and pay for a curbside collection through Republic services. The Republic call center can be reached at either 781-289-0500 or 844-737-8254. Republic will collect wooden and upholstered furniture, such as couches, rugs, wooden chairs, tables, bookcases…etc.
Can you throw an electric toothbrush in the trash?
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1. Check for manufacturer recycling programs:Some brands offer their own recycling programs for their products. Check the manufacturer’s website or packaging for details.
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2. Local recycling centers:
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3. Specialized recycling initiatives:Organizations like TerraCycle offer programs for recycling oral care products, including electric toothbrushes.
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Earth911https://earth911.comHow to Recycle Electric Toothbrush Heads – Earth911ByEarth911. … Electric toothbrush heads might be small, but they can make a big impact on our environment if not disposed of properly. While curbside recyclin…
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Are you supposed to tip your trash pickup?But in the United States most garbage collectors get paid well above the minimum wage, so no tip is expected.
https://www.watertown-ma.gov/738/Trash-and-Recycling
Please schedule and pay for a curbside collection through Republic services. The Republic call center can be reached at either 781-289-0500 or 844-737-8254.
https://watertown-ma.gov/1533/Republic-Strike-Updates
The emergency trash, recycling, and yard waste drop-off site at 148 Waltham Street is open this week, Monday – Friday, from 7:30am – 3:30pm each day. We ask