Citywide Curbside Compost Collection is Underway. Street Cleaning & Yard Waste Pickup Resume for Season

Several Public Works services, including Street Cleaning and Yard Waste collection, have resumed for the season. Citywide Curbside Compost Collection for 1-12 unit buildings also kicked off this month with support and enthusiasm from Cambridge residents and City officials.

Street Cleaning:

Public Works mechanically sweeps each street in Cambridge once per month, April through December (weather permitting). Signs are posted on each residential street indicating the schedule. In order to ensure that streets are properly cleaned, cars must move off the side of the street being swept to avoid being ticketed and towed. Citywide street sweeping includes twice yearly vacuum sweeping to improve storm water quality.

Yard Waste Collection:

Separate yard waste collection begins April 2, 2018 and continues through December 14, 2018. Set yard waste out by 7 a.m. on your regular collection day, or after 6 p.m. the night before. 

Yard waste is not accepted in plastic bags by recycling or trash crews. Place yard waste in barrels marked with City-issued stickers facing the street, or in lawn refuse bags sold in most hardware stores. Barrels and bags must be set on the curb apart from the trash. Do not staple or tape bags. Bundle small twigs and branches with string. Please call Public Works at 617-349-4800 to request Yard Waste stickers.

Curbside Compost Collection:

Starting April 2, 2018, the City will begin collecting food scraps and compostable items from all residents of 1 to 12 unit buildings. Green curbside carts and kitchen bins will be delivered the week of March 26, followed by door-to-door visits to make sure residents have everything they need to get started. Compost will be collected on the same day as trash and recycling.

As always, if your yard waste, compost, trash, or recycling were not picked up and were properly prepared/set out, report it by 12 p.m. the following day using the Commonwealth Connect app or at www.CambridgeMA.gov/CommonwealthConnect.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day:

The City of Cambridge holds four (4) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Days in 2018. The first HHW Day of 2018 is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, from 9 a.m. - 1p.m., in the Field Street Parking Lot at Danehy Park.

Proper disposal of materials helps protect public health and the environment. A list of accepted items can be found at www.CambridgeMA.gov/HazardousWaste.

Service Schedules and Notifications:

Residents can find their curbside collections and street cleaning schedules by entering their address in the “My Cambridge Schedule” tool at www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks. Notifications are now available by text message, email, or app notifications by downloading the “Zero Waste Cambridge” app for iPhone/Android. Those previously signed up for reminders through ELine should re-subscribe using the scheduling tool or by downloading the app.

Residents are also encouraged to visit www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks and use the “Get Rid of It Right” tool to search how to properly dispose of items.