Watertown, MA Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule

Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. This guide provides an overview of trash and recycling collection schedules, policies, and services provided by the Town of Watertown.

Collection Schedule

Watertown provides municipal trash and recycling collection for residential properties.

Trash

• Collected weekly on Mondays

Recycling

• Collected every other week on Mondays
• Watertown follows an A/B schedule for recycling pickup. See the recycling calendar to determine if you are on Schedule A or B.

Yard Waste

• Collected weekly April – December on Mondays
• Collected January – March on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month

View the Watertown Trash & Recycling Calendar to look up your collection weeks.

Holiday Schedule

On weeks with a holiday where Town offices are closed on Monday, pickup is delayed:

• Monday pickup moves to Tuesday
• Tuesday pickup moves to Wednesday
• Wednesday pickup moves to Thursday
• Thursday pickup moves to Friday

Check the trash calendar for holidays and affected collection weeks.

Accepted Materials

Watertown provides trash and recycling carts to residents.

Trash

• All household municipal solid waste
• Use Town approved carts or waste bags

Recycling

• Paper, cardboard, glass bottles/jars, metal cans, rigid plastics
• No plastic bags or film plastics

Yard Waste

• Brush, branches, leaves, grass clippings
• Use biodegradable bags or rigid containers labelled as yard waste

Collection Policies

• Place carts and bins curbside by 7 AM on your scheduled pickup day
• Do not overload carts over 50 lbs
• Bag all trash properly and tie bags closed
• No hazardous materials, electronics, construction debris
• Clearly label yard waste bags/containers
• Keep lids closed and 3 feet of clearance around carts
• Don’t place recycling in plastic bags

Review Watertown’s full trash policies and procedures guide for more details.

Bulky Item Disposal

Watertown residents can dispose of large bulky items like furniture and appliances at the Watertown Recycling & Transfer Station located at 99 Stanley Ave.

Prices per item:

• Mattress/Box Spring: $20
• Sofa: $20
• Chair: $10
• Appliance: $20
• Tires: $5 off rim, $10 on rim

The Recycling & Transfer Station also accepts recyclables and yard waste for no charge.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Hazardous waste like chemicals, gasoline, pesticides, and other toxic materials cannot be disposed of through regular trash pickup.

Watertown residents can utilize the Minuteman Hazardous Waste Facility in Lexington for safe hazardous waste disposal.

Drop-offs are by appointment only and proof of Watertown residency is required.

Key Contacts

Trash & Recycling Pickup Inquiries

Department of Public Works
Phone: (617) 972-6420
Email: [email protected]

Transfer Station & Hazardous Waste

Department of Public Works
Phone: (617) 972-6420

Billing & Accounts

Collector/Treasurer’s Office
Phone: (617) 972-6450

By following Watertown’s published collection schedule and disposal policies, residents can ensure their trash and recycling is collected properly. Contact the Department of Public Works with any questions.