Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule for Lowell, MA

The city of Lowell, MA provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection for residents through a contract with Waste Management. Here is an overview of Lowell’s trash and recycling pickup schedule, guidelines, and other key details to know.

Trash Collection

• Trash collection occurs once per week on your designated day. Find your trash day by searching your address on Lowell’s Collection Day Lookup site.

• Trash carts must be placed curbside by 7 AM on your pickup day. Carts should be placed with wheels against the curb and lids fully closed.

• Trash carts cannot weigh more than 100 lbs. Overweight carts will not be collected.

• Make sure trash carts are accessible and not blocked by vehicles or other objects. Carts must be at least one arm’s length from other objects.

• Do not place trash in plastic bags beside carts. Any extra trash must be contained in official city overflow bags.

• Report missed trash pickup via Lowell’s Online Service Request Form.

Recycling Collection

• Recycling is collected curbside every other week on your designated recycling week. Weeks alternate between “green weeks” and “blue weeks.”

• Search your address on the Collection Day Lookup to find your recycling weeks.

• Recycling carts must follow the same curbside placement rules as trash carts – wheels against curb, 3 feet of clearance, at curb by 7 AM.

• Make sure all recyclables are loose in carts – not bagged. Bagged recyclables will not be collected.

• See Lowell’s Recycling Guide for a detailed list of accepted and prohibited recycling items.

• Report missed recycling pickup via the Online Service Request Form.

Yard Waste Collection

• Yard waste is collected weekly from March to May and September to December. From June to August, yard waste collection switches to every other week.

• Yard waste must be contained in paper yard waste bags or rigid containers clearly marked as “yard waste.”

• Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, and trash barrels are not accepted for yard waste.

• Yard waste is limited to 5 containers or bags per week, weighing no more than 50 lbs each.

• Brush and branches must be bundled securely with cotton or natural fiber string/twine. Bundles cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 50 lbs.

• Grass clippings are not accepted in Lowell’s yard waste collection. Refer to yard waste guidelines for disposal options.

• No plastic bags, trash, or other materials can be mixed in with yard waste. Contaminated loads will not be collected.

Bulk Item Collection

• Bulk items like furniture, mattresses, appliances, etc. require special pickup arranged through Waste Management.

• Schedule a bulk item pickup by calling 1-800-972-4545 or submitting an online request at www.wm.com/us/en/support/schedule-bulk-pickup.

• Fees apply for bulk item pickup. Payment is made directly to Waste Management at the time pickup is scheduled.

• Some bulk items containing refrigerants (AC units, dehumidifiers, refrigerators) require special handling. Notify Waste Management when scheduling pickup.

Holiday Schedule Changes

• If a holiday falls on your normal collection day, pickup will be delayed by one day through the end of that week.

• Check Lowell’s holiday collection schedule for details on specific holidays.

• There is no trash, recycling, or yard waste collection on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Hazardous Waste Disposal

• Hazardous waste like chemicals, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, needles, etc. cannot be disposed of in normal trash.

• Lowell holds semi-annual Hazardous Waste Collection Days for safe disposal of these items. Dates are announced at www.lowellma.gov/HazardousWaste.

• Some hazardous waste can be dropped off year-round at Lowell’s Recycling Center at 1365 Middlesex St. See Hazardous Waste Disposal for more details.

Textile and Mattress Recycling

• As of November 1, 2022, textiles and mattresses cannot be disposed of in Massachusetts landfills.

• Donate usable clothing and textiles to local charities and collection bins. Destroy unusable textiles.

• Mattresses and box springs must be recycled. Contact your mattress dealer or check Lowell’s Textile Disposal guide for drop-off locations.

More Resources

For full details on Lowell’s trash and recycling programs, visit the Department of Public Works or contact:

Solid Waste & Recycling Office
1365 Middlesex Street
Lowell, MA 01852

Phone: 978-674-4309
Email: [email protected]