Waltham Junk Removal Services

Understanding Waltham’s Household Waste, Recycling & Curbside Collection Rules

The Waltham Public Works Department includes the Public Works Office, Street Division, Forestry Division, Water and Sewer Division, Cemetery, Recycling, Public Vehicles, Board of Survey and Planning, and Park Maintenance. Trash and recycling are collected weekly by zone. Containers may be placed curbside one hour before sundown the night before the scheduled pickup day, or by 7:00 AM on the scheduled pickup day. Yard waste is collected every other week from April through December on an A-Week / B-Week schedule, and leaf vacuuming takes place once per year from October through December. Waltham Public Works Department Trash, Recycling & Yard Waste Schedule

Waltham Public Works Department
Phone: (781) 314-3800
Official Website: Waltham Public Works Department

• Weekly curbside trash and recycling collection by zone
• Biweekly yard-waste collection from April through December
• Seasonal leaf-vacuuming program

Waltham’s Residential Trash, Recycling Cart & Bulk-Item Rules

Each household receives a blue wheeled recycling cart, and only city-distributed wheeled carts are collected. Trash barrels are supplied by the property owner. Household trash must be placed in a trash bag and then inside a barrel with the lid fully closed. Barrels should not exceed 32 gallons or 50 pounds. One extra bulk item per week is allowed in addition to the regular trash barrel. Bulk items are items that do not fit in a trash barrel but can still be collected and crushed by the trash truck, including chairs, couches, dressers, bookcases, and humidifiers. How do I get a Recycling Cart Recycling Brochure 2026–2027 Bulk Item Disposal

Waltham Recycling Department
Phone: (781) 314-3390
Coordinator: Bradley Ellis, (781) 314-3391
Official Website: Recycling

• One city recycling cart is provided per household
• Trash barrels are the property owner’s responsibility
• One bulk item per week is allowed in addition to regular trash

Waltham’s Recycling Requirements & Material-Specific Disposal Programs

Accepted recyclables include plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs; glass bottles and jars; metal food and beverage cans; and paper and cardboard, including mixed paper, newspapers, magazines, and flattened boxes. Recyclables must be empty and rinsed, placed loose in the cart, and the lid must be fully closed. Plastic bags of any kind, Styrofoam, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, electronics, appliances, hazardous waste, construction debris, car parts, and tires must stay out of the recycling cart. Textiles and mattresses are not allowed in curbside trash or recycling. Recycling Brochure 2026–2027 Textile Recycling Options Mattress Recycling Options

Category-specific disposal guidance covers electronics and appliances, bulk items, textiles, mattresses and box springs, construction waste, yard waste, hazardous waste, unwanted medication, food waste, holiday waste, reuse and donation options, and additional recycling questions. When an item does not belong in curbside trash or recycling, Recycle Smart MA and the Beyond the Bin Search Directory are the main lookup tools for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. How do I get rid of... Recycling Tools Recycle Smart MA Beyond the Bin Search Directory

• Accepted recyclables include plastic containers, glass bottles and jars, metal cans, paper, and cardboard
• Plastic bags, Styrofoam, electronics, hazardous waste, and construction debris do not belong in the recycling cart
• Textiles, mattresses, electronics, food waste, and hazardous materials follow separate disposal pathways

Electronics, Appliances & Special Collection Rules in Waltham

TVs and computer monitors are collected by appointment only on the regular scheduled pickup day. Pickups must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance by calling 855-533-3400, and items must be placed curbside by 7:00 AM. Major appliances such as washers, dryers, metal cabinets, refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are also collected through scheduled pickup. Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed, and the appliances must be left upright at the curb. Gas grills may go out with the trash only after the tank is removed. Push mowers may be collected after the gas is drained, while ride-on mowers require a private hauler. How to recycle electronics & appliances

• TVs and computer monitors require advance scheduling
• Major appliances are collected separately from regular trash
• Ride-on mowers require private disposal

Household Hazardous Waste, Medications & Sharps Disposal in Waltham

Household hazardous waste may be taken to the Minuteman program on one weekend date per month from April through November with advance registration. Proof of Waltham residency and proof of registration are required. For 2026, the listed drop-off location is 60 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts. Accepted items include oil- and lead-based paint, automotive batteries, oil, poisons, paint strippers and solvents, pesticides, cleaners, antifreeze, mercury-containing products, and light bulbs / CFLs. Latex paint is not accepted in that hazardous-waste stream. Household Hazardous Waste / Register for Minuteman dates

Dry medications and sharps — but not liquids, creams, or inhalers — may be taken to the Waltham Police Department, 155 Lexington Street, in the bins located in the front lobby. Needles and lancets cannot be placed in the trash under Massachusetts law. Additional medical-waste guidance is available through the state. How to dispose of unwanted medications Sharps Disposal Medical waste - Community Sanitation

• Hazardous-waste drop-off requires advance registration
• Proof of Waltham residency is required for Minuteman events
• Dry medications and sharps may be taken to the Waltham Police Department front-lobby bins

Mattresses, Textiles & Food Waste Diversion Programs in Waltham

Mattresses and box springs are no longer allowed in the trash. In buildings with six or fewer units, pickup may be scheduled through the Waltham Recycling Department at (781) 314-3390, with a limit of six total units per calendar year. In buildings with more than six units, collection must be arranged through building management, a condo association, or a private recycling company. Mattresses and box springs must be kept dry until pickup. Mattress Recycling Options

Textiles, including clothes, shoes, linens, towels, curtains, and cloth accessories, are also banned from disposal in regular trash under Massachusetts disposal-ban rules. Pickup and diversion options include the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation and the Simple Recycling curbside collection program for clothing and other accepted reusable household goods. Food-waste collection is available through fee-based curbside services, and an Earth Machine composter may be purchased for $25 through Public Works by contacting the Recycling Department. Textile Recycling Options Food Waste Collection Options in Waltham

• Mattresses and textiles are not accepted in regular curbside trash
• Mattress pickup rules differ for buildings with six or fewer units versus larger buildings
• Waltham promotes textile diversion and food-waste composting programs

Construction Waste, Building Enforcement & Business Recycling Resources

Construction and demolition materials cannot be placed in household trash barrels or recycling carts. Asphalt pavement, brick, concrete, metal, wood, clean gypsum wallboard (drywall), and toilets are among the materials listed for separate disposal, and private hauling is the expected pathway for construction waste. Construction Waste Disposal

Building inspection scheduling is handled at (781) 314-3275. Zoning Complaint & Enforcement and Nuisance Complaint & Enforcement are handled at (781) 314-3287. Janice Deveney is listed as Code Enforcement Inspector on the Building Department page. Building

Business recycling resources include vendors and assistance options for paper, bottles, cans, food-waste composting, construction debris, organics, electronics, batteries, scrap material, and other recyclable or reusable materials. Restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and other businesses producing food waste may use compost haulers, and the Recycling Department is the local contact point for business food-waste diversion questions at (781) 314-3390. Business Recycling Resources Food Waste Composting for Businesses

Building Department
Inspection Scheduling: (781) 314-3275
Zoning Complaint & Enforcement: (781) 314-3287
Official Website: Building

• Construction debris is not accepted in curbside trash or recycling
• Private hauling is required for construction and demolition waste
• Separate complaint channels exist for building, zoning, and nuisance enforcement

What Neighborhoods Do We Serve Throughout Waltham, MA?

Downtown Waltham: High-density commercial and residential core with limited street parking; coordination with city parking permits is often required for curbside removal.

Piety Corner: Historic district with older homes and narrow, winding streets; special permits may be needed for demolition debris and large vehicle access.

The Lanes: Suburban area featuring wide driveways and detached garages; ideal for large appliance and furniture removal projects.

Cedarwood: Predominantly single-family homes with mature landscaping; seasonal yard waste and spring cleanouts are common.

South Side: Mix of multi-unit buildings and single-family homes; move-out season generates increased waste volume, especially near Brandeis University.

Lakeview: Residential neighborhood adjacent to Hardy Pond; access may be limited during winter due to snow accumulation and narrow roads.

Warrendale: Family-oriented area with mid-century homes; frequent estate cleanouts and renovation debris removal.

Banks Square: Commercial and retail hub; ongoing needs for business waste management and bulk item disposal.

Massachusetts Waste-Ban Rules Referenced in Waltham’s Disposal Guidance

Mattresses, textiles, and many construction materials are handled outside the regular trash stream because they fall under Massachusetts waste-disposal bans or related diversion rules. Local disposal guidance repeatedly points residents and businesses toward donation, recycling, composting, special pickup, or private hauling instead of landfill disposal. Mattress Recycling Options Textile Recycling Options Construction Waste Disposal MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans

• Mattresses, textiles, and many construction materials require separate handling
• Donation, recycling, composting, and private hauling are core alternatives to regular trash disposal
• Local disposal rules align with Massachusetts waste-diversion requirements