Trash Requirements
Recycling is mandatory in Cambridge, and easy! You can reduce your trash by at least 50% to help protect the environment and save the City money. Check out our Get Rid of it Right list with details on how to recycle, donate or dispose of just about anything. Email us at recycle@cambridgema.gov to sign up for our monthly eNewsletter.
Please comply with these requirements to help reduce rodents, protect public health and ensure cleaner streets and waterways:
- Trash barrels and plastic bags cannot exceed 50 gallons or 50 pounds. No trash in cardboard boxes.
- Trash must be in rodent-resistant barrel with a tight-fitting lid, when stored on private property and when set at the curb for collection. Barrels may be placed at the curb after 6pm the night before collection or by 7am on collection day.
- Trash in plastic bags may be placed at the curb on the day of collection, not the night before. Only heavy duty bags accepted. No thin grocery or kitchen bags.
Public Works has two compliance officers who check the collection routes on a daily basis to ensure compliance with the Refuse & Litter Ordinance.
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Dept of Public Works
147 Hampshire St
Cambridge
MA
02139
Phone:617.349.4800
TDD:617.349.4805
Email Us
Hours of Service
Monday: 8:30am-8pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30am-5pm
Friday: 8:30am-12pm
Recycling Center Hours
Tuesday & Thursday: 4:00pm-7:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Ms. Randi Mail
Director of Recycling
617.349.4866
rmail@cambridgema.gov
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