
Watertown DPW Curbside composting toters, like the one on the left, will be part of the Watertown trash and recycling program starting in August.
On Monday, replacement crews during the trash strike continued to collect any missed pickups from last week, so Monday pickups may not all be collected on July 14. The City will keep the drop off area for trash and recycling open from Monday to Friday during the week of July 14, with a limit of three bags of trash or equivalent recycling.
City officials also requested that residents wait 48 hours to report a missed pickup as crews try to catch up.
See below the update from the City of Watertown regarding trash and recycling curbside pickup:
- Republic Services is doing trash and recycling curbside pickup today, Monday, July 14, 2025, completing any final missed pickups reported from Thursday and Friday of last week.
- Once completed, Republic Services will begin to complete Monday A week trash and recycling curbside pickup.
- We do not anticipate Monday pickups to be completed today, and we request only Monday and Tuesday week A curbside pickup to put your trash and recycling on the curb for pickup tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
- Please continue to put your bins out at the curb on the day of your scheduled trash and recycling pickup. Keep them on the curb until pickup, and please wait to report a missed pickup 48 hours after your scheduled day.
- Curbside pickup remains delayed this week due to the replacement crews’ unfamiliarity with the area, understaffing, and other limitations.
The City of Watertown is taking the steps below to help limit impacts of service delays:
- An emergency trash and recycling drop-off site at 148 Waltham Street will be open Monday-Friday this week (7/14 – 7/18) from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. for residents wishing to drop-off any overflow trash and recycling. Please limit your drop-off to 3 bags of household trash and/or the equivalent amount of recycling that would fit in your bins. Please prepare to show a license or utility bill to confirm Watertown residency.
- The City has contracted additional trash and recycling vendors to support curbside pickups, dumpster pickup, and City barrels around Watertown as well.
- The City’s curbside composting program remains unaffected. All are encouraged to sign up for the free program at Black Earth Compost and help reduce trash odor and rodents.
Details regarding missed pickups:
- Please wait to report a missed pickup for 48 hours due to anticipated delays.
- Residents are encouraged to report a missed pickup just one time between scheduled pickups to the City’s 311 Service Center, on SeeClickFix or the Watertown MA App.
- Your reported missed pickup will be added to a list and reported to Republic Services, who will return to the missed pickup as soon as resources are available to do so.
We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time. Please continue to stay up to date at watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike. The City will continue to share updates and keep the FAQs current as the week progresses.
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