Waste Collection Schedule
Waste Collection Schedule
🗓️ Weekly Pickup: Monday – Friday
Your trash and recycling will be collected once a week based on your neighborhood’s schedule.
Curbside Waste Placement Guidelines
🏠Residential Properties:
Place trash and recycling at the curb after 7:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day.
🏢 Downtown Businesses:
As per City ordinance, trash should be placed curbside no more than 2 hours before pickup.
The DPW typically starts collection around 3:00 PM, so have trash out by 1:00 PM to ensure compliance.
Important Reminders
âś… The City may inspect curbside waste to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
🗑️ Waste Limit: Up to 300 U.S. gallons per property per week.
♻️ Recycling is Mandatory – Let’s reduce landfill waste and protect the environment.
➡️ Learn more about our recycling program
📜 View the City’s Solid Waste Ordinances
Trash & Recycling Collection Route Map
đź“Ť Click here to view the Trash & Recycling Route Map
Holiday Collection Schedule – 2025
If a holiday is not listed, collection follows your regular schedule.
| HOLIDAY | OBSERVED | TRASH/RECYCLING | YARD WASTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Wed, Jan 1 | Wed combined with Tue | N/A |
| Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day | Mon, Jan 20 | No change | N/A |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 17 | No change | N/A |
| Good Friday (Half Day) | Fri, Apr 18 | No change | N/A |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 26 | Mon combined with Tue | Mon/Tue cancelled |
| Juneteenth | Thu, Jun 19 | No change | Cancelled |
| Independence Day | Fri, Jul 4 | Fri combined with Thurs | Cancelled |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 1 | Mon combined with Tues | Mon/Tue cancelled |
| Columbus Day | Mon, Oct 13 | No change | Mon cancelled |
| Veterans Day | Mon, Nov 11 | No change | Tues cancelled |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 27 | Thu combined with Wed (11/26) | Wed/Thu/Fri cancelled |
| Christmas Day (Observed) | Thu, Dec 25 | Thu combined with Wed (12/24) | N/A |
Yard Waste Collection
🗓️ Seasonal Collection: April 1 – November 30
Set-out Guidelines:
Use paper yard bags or clearly labeled barrels (“yard waste”).
Max bag weight: 50 lbs.
Brush: Bundle with string/twine.
Max bundle size: 1 ft diameter, 4 ft length
Max branch thickness: 5 inches
đź”— Click here for full yard waste details
Curbside Recycling Collection
♻️ Recycling is mandatory for both paper/fiber and containers.
Recyclables should be placed in a clearly marked bin, NOT BAGGED.
Preparation Guidelines:
Rinse cans, glass, and plastic bottles before placing them in green bins.
Remove caps, lids, corks, and plastic rings.
Accepted Paper Items:
Newspapers, junk mail, inserts, magazines, office paper, folders
Phone books, paperback books, cereal/pasta boxes, cardboard
Milk/juice cartons (wax-coated), paper egg cartons
đź”— Full list of recyclable materials
Bulky Waste Collection
🛋️ To schedule a pickup, call Public Works at (603) 427-1530.
How It Works:
Schedule in advance – call to confirm pickup date.
Pay the fee before your scheduled date.
đź’» Schedule & Pay Online for curbside bulky waste collection. Click here to view fees and pickup options.
Place items curbside between 7:00 PM (day before) and 7:30 AM (day of pickup).
Separate from regular trash as directed.
Bulky Waste Collection by Week:
| Week | Accepted Items |
|---|---|
| 1st Week | Upholstered furniture, mixed materials |
| 2nd Week | Appliances, scrap metal (including refrigerators/Freon) |
| 3rd Week | Tires, TVs, computers, electronics |
| 4th Week | Wood furniture, wood scraps, painted/treated wood, pallets |
đźš« Do not place bulky waste curbside without scheduling with Public Works.
These services are designed with fiscal responsibility and environmental compliance in mind to best serve our Portsmouth community.