Providence, RI trash pickup schedule
Providence trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.
Population 195,310 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.
Contents10 sections
Quick answer
| Who collects | A private hauler under city contract: WM (Waste Management) City DPW Environmental Services Division administers curbside trash and recycling for buildings with 6 or fewer units; Waste Management performs collection (missed pickups, bulky items and e-waste are booked with WM at 800-972-4545). Buildings with more than 6 units are not eligible for municipal service and use private arrangements.512 |
|---|---|
| How often | Trash weekly (same day as recycling), recycling weekly, same day as trash (free, for buildings with 6 or fewer units), yard waste weekly (2026 season April 20 - December 24, by Waste Management)4718 |
| Set out | the night before or by 5:30 a.m. on collection day; wheels against the curb, at least 3 ft from cars, mailboxes and obstacles, lids closed; store carts beside/behind the home between collections4 |
| Your pickup day | Address lookup: providenceri.gov2 · Look up your day here |
| Holiday | Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026: Delayed one day. Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
Bulk items: Scheduled pickup: request it ahead (details). Drop-off sites: 3 listed (hours and fees).
Providence holiday trash schedule 2026
| City’s rule | If a holiday falls on your pickup day, trash is picked up the next day and all pickups for the rest of the week run one day late, with Friday's pickup moved to Saturday. Holidays affecting pickup: New Year's Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Victory Day (2nd Monday in August), Labor Day, Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.34 |
|---|---|
| Official notice | providenceri.gov3 |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 | Not on the city’s list | Not on the city’s list for this year |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19, 2026 | Delayed one day | Falls on a Friday: per the city rule, Friday's pickup takes place on Saturday. Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Mon, Jul 6, 2026 | Delayed one day | July 4 fell on Saturday; no pickup on Monday, July 6 (observed holiday); the week's trash was picked up July 7 – July 11.2 |
| Victory Day | Mon, Aug 10, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 12, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26, 2026 | Delayed one day | Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | Delayed one day | Falls on a Friday: per the city rule, Friday's pickup takes place on Saturday. Date computed from the city's rule.3 |
Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.
Bulk trash pickup in Providence
| How it works | Scheduled pickup: request it ahead6 |
|---|---|
| How to request | Online form (WM bulk pickup request) or call Waste Management 1-800-972-4545 at least 24 hours before your regular collection day (48 hours for broken large appliances); WM services bulk pickups on Mondays per the bulky-items page. Set out between 4 p.m. the evening before and 4 a.m. collection day, beside your carts, not blocking the sidewalk.5 |
| Limits | up to 3 items per unit per pickup; only scheduled items are removed5 |
| Fees | free, except mattresses/box springs (WM curbside pickup for a fee; must be clean and sealed in a clear mattress bag). Free mattress drop-off (2 items, Providence ID) at DPW, 700 Allens Ave, Saturdays 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m.5 |
| Not accepted |
Recycling in Providence
| Pickup | weekly, same day as trash (free, for buildings with 6 or fewer units)7 |
|---|---|
| Type | single-stream7 |
| Glass | accepted in cart (bottles and jars only)4 |
| Plastics | plastic containers only (no resin-number rule published); no Styrofoam, no bags/wrap, no non-container plastics7 |
Accepted
- Paper, flattened cardboard and cartons (empty, rinsed; plastic tops back on cartons; a little pizza grease is OK)7
- Glass bottles and jars (empty, rinsed; remove metal tops and recycle separately)7
- Metal cans, metal lids and clean, bunched-up aluminum foil7
- Plastic containers (empty, rinsed; tops back on)7
Not accepted
- Plastic bags and plastic wrap, bags of trash, bagged recyclables, clothing, wires, hoses, Styrofoam, food and liquids4
- Napkins, tissues, paper towels, shredded paper7
- Containers that held flammable or oily chemicals (gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides)7
- Fine: non-recyclables in the recycling cart can bring a $50+ fine to the property owner4
Programs
Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups
| Yard waste pickup | Yes6 |
|---|---|
| Season | mid-April through December (2026: April 20 - December 24)618 |
| How often | weekly (2026 season April 20 - December 24, by Waste Management)18 |
| Rules | Brown paper yard debris bags or your own container labeled with a free yard-debris sticker (from DPW, 75 Chapman St, or the Mayor's Center for City Services, City Hall); never plastic bags, never in the recycling cart; stickers also at the DPW Mattress Depot, 700 Allens Ave, Saturdays 7:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (2026 notice); leaves, grass and small yard debris in paper bags or barrels labeled 'Yard Debris Only'618 |
| Food scraps | No city curbside food-scrap collection; the city lists private, generally fee-based pickup services and community drop-off sites16 |
| Christmas trees | Curbside pickup starts the first Monday of January and runs three weeks, on regular trash day; remove all decorations, no bags. (Last dated notice: 2022-23 season, Jan 3-20, 2023.)614 |
| Leaf collection | No separate leaf program published; leaves go out with weekly yard waste (2026: April 20 - December 24) in paper bags or labeled barrels18 |
Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste
DPW drop-off (behind 700 Allens Ave): mattresses/box springs and e-waste
| Type | Recycling center |
|---|---|
| Run by | The city |
| Address | 700 Allens Avenue, Providence, RI · Map6 |
| Hours | Saturdays 7:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m.6 |
| Fees | free6 |
| Who can use it | Providence residents; mattresses: 2 items with valid Providence ID6 |
Eco-Depot household hazardous waste collection events (RIRRC)
| Type | Household hazardous waste |
|---|---|
| Run by | Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (state quasi-public agency) |
| Address | Rotating event sites; remaining 2026 dates: 11/21/2026 Pawtucket - Jenks Middle School, 350 Division St.; 12/05/2026 Johnston - RIRRC, 34 Shun Pike · Map15 |
| Hours | By appointment on event dates; appointment slots 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; schedule at 401-942-1430 x3241 or www.ecodepotri.org15 |
| Fees | free15 |
| Who can use it | Rhode Island residents15 |
| Not accepted | electronics, flares, helium tanks, containers over 5 gallons |
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation - East Entrance (Residential Recycling Area, Small Vehicle Transfer Station, Mattress Recycling Building; Central Landfill is at the West Entrance)
| Type | Transfer station |
|---|---|
| Run by | Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation |
| Address | 3 Shun Pike, Johnston, RI 02919 (East Entrance, per RIRRC); the City's bulky page gives 65 Shun Pike for mattress drop-off; RIRRC administration 34 Shun Pike · Map19 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Sat 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (closed on RIRRC holidays; 2026 list incl. Nov 11, Nov 26, Dec 25; early 2 p.m. close Nov 25, Dec 24, Dec 31)19 |
| Fees | car tires $8 each; mattresses/box springs for recycling free up to 3 units per day, $70 each above 3 (FY27 fee schedule effective 2026-11-01)19 |
| Who can use it | Rhode Island residents (mattresses, per City page)19 |
Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.
Missed pickup and contacts
| Missed pickup form | No online form: if carts were set out properly and missed, call Waste Management at 800-972-4545 for a next-day collection4 |
|---|---|
| Phone | DPW 401-680-7500 (75 Chapman Street; Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., July-August until 3:00 p.m.); Waste Management (missed pickup, bulky, e-waste) 800-972-454510 |
| 311 | Dial 3-1-1 (PVD 311); Mayor's Center for City Services 401-421-24895 |
| Official website | providenceri.gov1 |
Nearby cities
- Brockton, MA27 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Worcester, MA37 miles · The city collects
- Boston, MA41 miles · The city collects
- Cambridge, MA41 miles · The city collects
- Lynn, MA51 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Lowell, MA57 miles · A private hauler under city contract
Other cities served by WM (formerly Waste Management)
- Fort Worth, TXWaste Management (WM)
- Seattle, WAWaste Management of Washington (northwest and south Seattle); Recology King County (northeast and central Seattle)
- Oklahoma City, OKWM (Waste Management)
- Detroit, MIWaste Management (west side north of I-94); Priority Waste (east side and southwest Detroit south of I-94)
- Portland, ORNine City-franchised private haulers, each with its own exclusive area: Arrow Sanitary, Portland Disposal & Recycling, Waste Management of Oregon, Heiberg Garbage Service, City Sanitary, Wacker Sanitary, Walker Garbage Service, Republic Services of Lake Oswego and Recology Clackamas (per the City hauler-area layer)
- Long Beach, CACity of Long Beach Energy and Environmental Services (trash and organics); Waste Management (recycling, under city contract)
- Oakland, CAWaste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (trash, compost, bulky); California Waste Solutions (recycling, household batteries, used motor oil)
- Stockton, CARepublic Services or WM (Waste Management) - two franchised haulers, each serving part of the city
- Irvine, CAWM (Waste Management of Orange County)
- Reno, NVWaste Management (WM)
- Moreno Valley, CAWaste Management of the Inland Empire (WM)
- Little Rock, ARWM (curbside recycling only)
- Fort Lauderdale, FLWM (Waste Management)
- Oceanside, CAWM (Waste Management of North County)
- Lancaster, CAWM (Waste Management)
- Palmdale, CAWM (Waste Management)
- Corona, CAWM (Waste Management / USA Waste of California) under a franchise agreement with the City of Corona
- Kansas City, KSWM (Waste Management of Kansas City, Inc.)
- Hayward, CAWaste Management of Alameda County (WM); curbside recycling by Tri-CED Community Recycling
- Joliet, ILWM (Waste Management)
- Simi Valley, CAWM (Waste Management)
- Lowell, MAWM (Waste Management)
- Menifee, CAWaste Management (WM) of the Inland Empire
- Rio Rancho, NMWM (Waste Management of New Mexico)
- Murrieta, CAWM (Waste Management)
- Everett, WARubatino Refuse Removal (UTC certificate G-58) or WM North Sound (Waste Management of Washington, UTC certificate G-237), depending on area
- Sparks, NVWM (Waste Management)
- Gresham, ORFive City-franchised haulers by area: Arrow Sanitary, Gresham Sanitary Service, Hoodview Disposal, Rockwood Solid Waste, Waste Management (WM)
- Hillsboro, ORSeveral City-franchised haulers by area, incl. Hillsboro Garbage Disposal, WM, Garbarino Disposal, Evergreen Disposal, Pride Disposal & Recycling (list from Metro's official address lookup and hauler pages)
- Spokane Valley, WAWM (formerly Waste Management)
- Chico, CAWaste Management (North Valley Waste Management)
- Federal Way, WAWM (Waste Management)
All Rhode Island cities: Rhode Island trash pickup schedules.
Providence trash pickup FAQ
What day is trash picked up in Providence?
Trash is collected weekly (same day as recycling). Providence does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s address lookup (providenceri.gov).
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Providence?
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Delayed one day: Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.
Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in Providence?
Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Delayed one day: Falls on a Friday: per the city rule, Friday's pickup takes place on Saturday. Date computed from the city's rule.
Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2026 in Providence?
New Year's Day falls on Thu, Jan 1, 2026. Delayed one day: Listed as a holiday that impacts trash pickup; that day's pickup moves to the next day and the rest of the week runs one day late (Friday's pickup on Saturday). Date computed from the city's rule.
How do I get rid of bulky items in Providence?
Scheduled pickup: request it ahead. Online form (WM bulk pickup request) or call Waste Management 1-800-972-4545 at least 24 hours before your regular collection day (48 hours for broken large appliances); WM services bulk pickups on Mondays per the bulky-items page. Set out between 4 p.m. the evening before and 4 a.m. collection day, beside your carts, not blocking the sidewalk. Fees: free, except mattresses/box springs (WM curbside pickup for a fee; must be clean and sealed in a clear mattress bag). Free mattress drop-off (2 items, Providence ID) at DPW, 700 Allens Ave, Saturdays 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Does Providence recycle glass?
Glass: accepted in cart (bottles and jars only).
How do I report a missed trash pickup in Providence?
Use the city’s online form (No online form: if carts were set out properly and missed, call Waste Management at 800-972-4545 for a next-day collection) or call DPW 401-680-7500 (75 Chapman Street; Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., July-August until 3:00 p.m.); Waste Management (missed pickup, bulky, e-waste) 800-972-4545.
Sources
- 1 Environmental Services Division | DPWCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 2 Waste Pickup ScheduleCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 3 Holiday Trash ScheduleCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions (DPW)City · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 5 Bulky Item / Large Appliance DisposalCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 6 Bulky & Tricky Item DisposalCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 7 Recycling GuideCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 8 Hazardous WasteCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 9 E-WasteCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 10 DPW Address and HoursCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 11 Overflow Trash Bag ProgramCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 12 New Carts, New Start (cart FAQ) (providenceri.gov/carts redirects here)City · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 13 Mayor Brett Smiley Announces Details on Delivery of New Trash and Recycling Carts (2026-03-09)City · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 14 City of Providence Announces Free Curbside Christmas Tree Pick-Up (2022-12-26)City · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 15 Household Hazardous Waste (Eco-Depot)state · rirrc.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 16 CompostCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 17 Official page on providenceri.govCity · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 18 Yard Waste Pickup Begins (city news post, updated 2026-04-27)City · providenceri.gov · checked October 30, 2026
- 19 Location & Hours | RIRRCstate · rirrc.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 20 RIRRC Fee Schedule FY27 (effective November 1, 2026)state · rirrc.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 21 RIRRC 2026 Holiday Schedule (facility closures)state · rirrc.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 22 Trash Pick-Up Days (View Layer) - City of Providence ArcGIS (PVD_DPWGIS)City · services6.arcgis.com · checked October 30, 2026
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Second-pass verification against every source: October 30, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.