Melrose, Massachusetts (ZIP Code 02176), situated just north of Boston, is a vibrant city neighboring communities like Malden, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Medford. The City of Melrose provides comprehensive waste management services, including trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk item collection. This guide offers a detailed overview of Melrose’s waste collection schedules and services.
Melrose Trash Schedule
Melrose residents receive weekly curbside trash collection. Trash should be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on your designated collection day, but not before 5:00 PM the day prior. Each household is provided with a 64-gallon trash barrel, and all waste must fit inside with the lid fully closed. Overflowing barrels or additional bags outside the barrel will not be collected.
See the trash schedule here: https://www.cityofmelrose.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3451/f/uploads/2025_curbside_collection_schedule.pdf
For occasional excess trash, residents can purchase official overflow trash bags. These bags are sold in rolls of five for $10 and are available through the city’s partnership with WasteZero. For more information on overflow bags, visit the city’s website.
If you consistently produce more waste, you may acquire an additional 64-gallon barrel for a one-time fee of $70, plus an annual $150 fee added to your utility bill.
Melrose Recycling Trash Schedule
Recycling is also collected weekly on the same day as trash. Residents must use the designated recycling barrel. If you need extra space for recyclables, you can use a gray 35-gallon barrel with a city-approved recycling sticker.
Items you can recycle include:
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Paperboard like cereal boxes and toilet paper rolls
- Pizza boxes
- Frozen food boxes without wax
- Egg cartons and beverage cartons
Ensure all recyclables are clean and dry before placing them in the barrel.
Melrose Bulk Trash Schedule
Bulk items are collected by appointment only. To schedule a pickup, you must contact the city’s waste management service at 1-800-CASELLA (1-800-227-3552). There is a fee for each item, and not all items are accepted.
Appliances and metal items like dishwashers or refrigerators fall under a separate category (white goods). These require a sticker for curbside pickup, and collections are done weekly on Tuesdays. You must call in advance and pay a per-item fee.
Holiday Trash Schedule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling will be delayed by one day for the rest of that week. For example, if Monday is a holiday, Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday’s on Wednesday, and so on.
2025 Holiday Trash Delay Table
| Holiday | Date | Delay |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 (Wed) | One day |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan 20 (Mon) | One day |
| Presidents’ Day | Feb 17 (Mon) | One day |
| Patriots’ Day | Apr 21 (Mon) | One day |
| Memorial Day | May 26 (Mon) | One day |
| Independence Day | Jul 4 (Fri) | One day |
| Labor Day | Sep 1 (Mon) | One day |
| Columbus Day | Oct 13 (Mon) | One day |
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 (Tue) | One day |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 27 (Thu) | One day |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 (Thu) | One day |
Yard Waste Collection in Melrose
Yard waste is collected on scheduled weeks during spring, summer, and fall. Residents can place up to 10 barrels or paper yard waste bags at the curb. Barrels must be labeled “Yard Waste,” and free stickers are available from the City Yard.
Accepted items include leaves, grass, and small branches (bundled and tied). Dirt and stones are not accepted.
Melrose Trash Barrels
Every home is issued one 64-gallon trash barrel and one 64-gallon recycling barrel. If your barrel is lost or damaged, replacements are available for a fee. Extra barrels can also be requested, but only one extra is allowed per household and comes with added yearly charges.
Melrose Overflow Trash Bags
If you occasionally have more trash than your bin allows, you can purchase official overflow bags. These are available in rolls of five and must be used for extra waste to be picked up. Regular plastic bags placed outside the barrel will not be collected.
Special Notes
- Trash and recycling must be placed curbside no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before.
- Empty barrels must be removed from the curb by the evening of collection day.
- The city may cancel or postpone collection due to snowstorms; announcements are made in advance.
If you’re unsure of your collection day or want to check yard waste weeks, refer to the city’s solid waste calendar.
