WORCESTER — The city has released its trash and recycling calendar for 2026, outlining when residents can expect changes to their regular curbside pickup due to holidays throughout the year.
As in past years, when a scheduled collection day falls on a holiday, that day’s pickup — along with all remaining collections for the week—will be delayed by one day. City officials said the schedule includes 11 holidays in 2026 that will trigger a delay, affecting service from winter through the end of the year.
Those holidays are New Year’s Day on Jan. 1; Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19; Presidents’ Day on Feb. 16; Patriots’ Day on April 20; Memorial Day on May 25; Juneteenth on June 19; Labor Day on Sept. 7; Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 12; Veterans Day on Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 26; and Christmas Day on Dec. 25.
Independence Day is the only holiday that will not affect the trash and recycling schedule. Although the holiday will be observed on July 3 in 2026, collections will proceed as normal that week, according to the city.
Residents are reminded to place trash and recyclables at the curb between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on their scheduled collection day to ensure pickup.
The full 2026 trash and recycling calendar is available through the City of Worcester.
