East Providence, RI Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule

This article provides an overview of trash and recycling collection schedules, policies, and holiday schedule changes in East Providence, Rhode Island.

Regular Collection Schedule

East Providence provides weekly curbside trash and recycling pickup for residents. Here are the regular collection schedules:

Trash Collection

• Trash is collected weekly on your designated trash day.
• Trash should be placed curbside in trash barrels before 7 AM on collection day.
• Trash collection day depends on your location in East Providence and occurs on the same weekday each week.

Recycling Collection

• Recycling is collected weekly on your designated recycling day.
• Recyclables should be placed loose or in paper bags in your city-provided recycling bin before 7 AM.
• Do not put recyclables in plastic bags.
• Recycling day varies by location and happens weekly on the same day.

Yard Waste Collection

• Yard waste collection occurs seasonally from April to November.
• Yard waste should be placed in paper yard waste bags or rigid containers marked as yard waste.
• Collection is on the 2nd trash day of the week in each pickup area.

Holiday Collection Schedule

Trash and recycling collection are delayed by one day when a holiday falls on a weekday:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Victory Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

For example, if your regular pickup is Monday and the holiday falls on Monday, collection will occur on Tuesday that week.

View the holiday and recycling schedule calendar for exact dates.

Recycling Policies

To recycle properly in East Providence:

• Place only acceptable recyclables loose or in paper bags in your recycling bin. Do not use plastic bags.
• Make sure your recycling bin is at the curb each week, even if not full. Trash will not be collected without the bin present.
• Empty and rinse containers – no need to remove labels.
• Break down cardboard boxes.
• Do not include plastic bags, food waste, yard waste, or other trash.

East Providence issues $50 fines for recycling contamination and may suspend collection services. Improper recycling results in rejected loads costing the city thousands in landfill fees annually.

Acceptable curbside recyclables include:

• Paper and cardboard
• Aluminum cans, foil, and trays
• Tin and steel cans
• Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and containers (#1-7)
• Glass bottles and jars

View full recycling guidelines.

Trash Policies

Follow these trash guidelines in East Providence:

• Place trash in covered barrels or bags before 7 AM on collection day.
• Trash should not exceed 50 lbs per barrel/bag.
• Do not place electronics, appliances, hazardous waste, or yard waste in trash.

East Providence provides special collection for bulk items, yard waste, hazardous household waste, electronics, and appliances.

Yard Waste Policies

Yard waste must be prepared properly for collection in East Providence:

• Place leaves, grass clippings, brush in paper yard waste bags or rigid containers marked as yard waste.
• Branches and brush must be less than 4 feet long and bundled.
• Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected.

Yard waste collection is seasonal from April to November on the 2nd trash day each week. The Forbes Street Compost Site is open year-round for drop off.

Bulk Waste Collection

Bulk items such as furniture and mattresses are collected monthly by appointment:

• Call 401-435-7710 to schedule bulk pickup.
• Items must be at the curb by 7 AM on your bulk collection day.
• Bulk items cannot exceed 4 ft x 4 ft x 4ft in size.
• Carpeting must be cut, rolled, and securely tied under 4 ft length.

Additional Resources

• Holiday and Recycling Collection Schedule: https://eastprovidenceri.gov/departments/recycling/holiday-and-recycling-collection
• Recycling Division: https://eastprovidenceri.gov/departments/recycling
• Collection Calendars: https://eastprovidenceri.gov/departments/public-works/collection-calendars
• Trash and Recycling Guide: https://eastprovidenceri.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3256/f/uploads/ep_trash_recycling_guide.pdf
• Contact Info:
  • Phone: 401-435-7710
  • Email: [email protected]

Following East Providence’s collection schedule, preparing materials properly, and knowing what can and cannot be recycled helps ensure successful trash and recycling collection for residents. Check the resources above or contact the Department of Public Works with any questions.