Your Somerville Trash Day — Easy to Follow in 2026
If you live in Somerville, Massachusetts, the important part is not just putting out one barrel each week. It is knowing your exact address-based pickup day, the 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. set-out window, when yard waste runs in 2026, how holiday delays work, and which bulky items need a separate sticker or scheduled pickup. This guide keeps your Somerville trash pickup schedule garbage collection details simple and practical.
📑 What’s in this guide
Somerville collects trash and recycling each week by address, and the city’s trash portal includes both a collection-day map and an address search tool. Yard waste runs seasonally on your normal trash and recycling day, and several city holidays in 2026 delay pickup by one day.
Outside city: 617-666-3311
By 7:00 a.m. pickup day
How to Find Your Somerville Trash Pickup Day
Somerville gives residents two easy ways to check their collection day. The city’s main trash-and-recycling portal includes an address tool and collection-day map, while MySomerville offers an online trash and recycling calendar.
- Open the official trash portal. Start with somervillema.gov/trash-and-recycling.
- Enter your address. The page lets you find your weekly trash, recycling, and yard-waste pickup days.
- Check the neighborhood map if needed. Somerville also provides a collection-day map by street.
- Use MySomerville for the online calendar. This is useful if you want a simple schedule view.
- Keep 311 ready for service questions. Call 311 inside Somerville or 617-666-3311 from outside the city.
Somerville Trash, Recycling, and Yard-Waste Schedule
Somerville’s standard curbside pattern is simple once you know your address day. Trash and recycling are collected each week, while yard waste is seasonal and runs on the same normal pickup day during the active season.
| Service | How It Works | Typical Timing | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trash | Regular household trash in covered barrels | Weekly by address | Trash & Recycling Portal |
| Recycling | Blue city-issued recycling cart or box | Weekly by address | Trash & Recycling Portal |
| Yard Waste | Paper bags or barrel marked “Yard Waste Only,” plus tied branch bundles | Seasonal, on normal pickup day | Yard Waste schedule |
| Special Bulky Items | Mattresses, white goods, and other special items use separate rules | As scheduled or sticker-based | Sanitation / Mattress program |
For 2026, Somerville announced that yard waste pickup begins Monday, April 13 and runs through Friday, December 11. During the season, yard waste goes out with your trash and recycling on your normal pickup day.
Somerville Trash Barrels, Recycling Carts, and Yard-Waste Setup
Somerville uses standard trash barrels and city recycling carts or bins rather than one single all-purpose system. Each material stream follows a different preparation rule.
Trash Barrels
Blue Recycling
Yard Waste
Special Items
Somerville also allows one extra trash bag on top of your barrel once it has been placed on the curb for collection. The city says trash bags should not be placed on the ground or next to your barrels.
⭐ Easy Somerville shortcut
If you are moving or cleaning out boxes, flatten larger cardboard into 3-foot by 3-foot pieces and tie the bundle together. That is one of the easiest ways to avoid recycling problems on busy pickup weeks.
Somerville Set-Out Rules
Somerville’s curbside rules are clear and practical. Most missed pickups happen because items were too early, too late, or blocked the sidewalk.
- Set out trash and recycling after 4 p.m. the day before pickup.
- Everything must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on pickup day.
- Remove empty barrels by 7 p.m. on trash day.
- Keep trash in covered barrels during the week.
- Do not place trash bags on the ground or next to barrels.
- Avoid blocking sidewalks and walkways.
Somerville Mattress, Appliance, and Bulky-Item Options
Somerville does accept many larger household items, but not all of them work the same way. Furniture can often go with regular trash, while mattresses and white goods require special handling.
Regular bulky items that may go with trash include:
- Up to two pieces of furniture per week
- Small household appliances
- Ladders cut to no longer than 4 feet
- Some other large household items listed by the city’s trash portal
Items with special rules include:
- Mattresses and box springs: require a $55 disposal sticker and advance scheduling through 311
- Large appliances / white goods: require a $25 white goods sticker
- TVs and computer monitors: free curbside pickup can be scheduled through 311, or they can be dropped at the DPW Yard
- Check the item first. Use the city’s Waste Wizard if you are unsure.
- Schedule mattresses in advance. Somerville says recyclable mattresses cannot just be left with regular trash.
- Put a disposal sticker on each mattress or box spring. One sticker is needed per item.
- Use 311 for scheduling. Mattresses must be scheduled in advance, and pickup is usually one day after your regular trash day except for Friday routes.
- Do not block pedestrians. Keep sidewalks passable when placing special items curbside.
⭐ Somerville resident advantage
If you receive city trash service in a building with six or fewer units, you can use the city’s mattress recycling program. Buildings with seven or more units and private trash service are not eligible and usually need private disposal help.
Somerville 2026 Holiday Trash Delays
Somerville’s official holiday page says trash pickup will be delayed by one day on the city holiday dates listed for 2026. The city’s page specifically lists these dates as affecting trash and recycling.
| 2026 Holiday Date Listed by City | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day — Thursday, January 1 | City lists this as a one-day trash and recycling delay date |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, January 19 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Presidents’ Day — Monday, February 16 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Patriots’ Day — Monday, April 20 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Memorial Day — Monday, May 25 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Juneteenth — Friday, June 19 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Independence Day — Saturday, July 4 | This date appears on the city’s 2026 holiday-delay list |
| Labor Day — Monday, September 7 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day — Monday, October 12 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Veterans Day — Wednesday, November 11 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 26 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Thanksgiving Friday — Friday, November 27 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
| Christmas Day — Friday, December 25 | City lists this as a one-day delay date |
Somerville also notes that under state law, holidays falling on Sunday are observed on Monday. Before any holiday week, it is smart to re-check the city’s official holiday page and your regular pickup calendar.
What to Do If Somerville Missed Your Pickup
Somerville has a clear missed-pickup deadline. If trash or recycling was missed, the city says the report must be filed by 3:30 p.m. on the day after the scheduled collection.
- Check that everything was out by 7 a.m. If it was late, the city may not accept the missed-pickup claim.
- Make sure today was really your scheduled day. Use the address lookup or MySomerville calendar.
- Report by the deadline. Somerville says missed trash or recycling reports must be filed no later than 3:30 p.m. the day after scheduled collection.
- Use 311. Call 311, use the 311 app, or make the request online.
- If the deadline is missed, wait until next week. The city says the cart must be brought back in and placed out for the following collection.
Somerville Drop-Off and Special Recycling Options
Somerville also gives residents several helpful drop-off choices, especially when curbside service is not enough or the item should not go in regular trash.
DPW Yard Drop-Off
Residents may drop off yard waste, electronic waste, and tires on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the DPW Yard, 1 Franey Rd.
Somerville Waste Wizard
Look up how to dispose of or recycle specific items and also check trash, recycling, and yard-waste schedules.
Mattress Recycling Program
Official rules for sticker purchase, scheduling, eligibility, and pickup timing.
Textile Recycling Pickup
Free curbside textile recycling for eligible residential dwellings that receive city curbside service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Somerville Trash Pickup
How often is trash picked up in Somerville?
Somerville trash is collected weekly by address, and the city’s portal lets you look up your exact collection day.
How often is recycling picked up in Somerville?
Somerville recycling is also collected weekly by address.
What time can I put out trash and recycling?
You can place trash and recycling curbside after 4 p.m. the day before pickup, and everything must be out by 7 a.m. on pickup day.
When do I need to bring barrels back in?
Somerville says empty barrels must be removed from the sidewalk by 7 p.m. on trash collection day.
Can I leave extra trash beside my barrel?
No. The city says trash bags should not be placed on the ground or next to your barrels. You may place one extra bag on top of your barrel once it is at the curb.
When is yard waste collected in Somerville in 2026?
For 2026, yard waste pickup begins April 13 and runs through December 11. It goes out with trash and recycling on your normal pickup day.
How do I dispose of a mattress or box spring?
Somerville requires a $55 disposal sticker for each mattress or box spring, and you must schedule pickup through 311 in advance.
How much is the white goods sticker in Somerville?
Large appliances require a $25 White Goods Sticker, one sticker per item.
How do I report a missed trash pickup?
Missed trash and recycling reports must be filed by 3:30 p.m. the day after the scheduled collection through 311.
Can I drop off yard waste or electronics myself?
Yes. Residents can use the DPW Yard at 1 Franey Rd. on weekdays during posted drop-off hours, with proof of residency.
Official Somerville Trash Collection Resources
Trash & Recycling Information
Main city portal with address lookup, collection-day map, missed-pickup info, yard-waste details, and disposal rules.
MySomerville
Online calendar for trash and recycling pickup and other neighborhood service info.
Holiday Schedule for Trash Pickups
Official 2026 holiday-delay dates for Somerville trash and recycling.
Mattress Recycling Program
Sticker price, eligibility rules, scheduling instructions, and pickup timing.
Waste Wizard
Best tool for checking disposal rules for specific items and looking up schedule details.
Somerville 311
Report missed pickups, get service help, and submit requests online or by phone.
Bottom line: To stay accurate in Somerville, use the city’s address lookup or online calendar, put barrels out after 4 p.m. and before 7 a.m., and use 311 for missed pickups or special items.