Worcester Leaf Pickup Dates by Trash Day

Featured image: Brown paper bags filled with raked leaves, the biodegradable type Worcester accepts for leaf collection. Photo: Wil540 art via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). The photo was not taken in Worcester.

Worcester leaf collection for 2026 starts Monday, Nov. 2, the city’s Department of Public Works and Parks announced on Oct. 13. Crews will work through the city by trash route over four to five weeks, weather permitting, and three yard waste drop-off sites stay open through November. This guide explains when your street is scheduled, how to set leaves out, where to take them yourself and how November holidays shift trash pickup.

Worcester leaf pickup schedule by trash day

Collection follows the trash route map, starting with the area that has Wednesday trash pickup. The city lists these approximate windows, which can change with weather:

Wednesday trash areas: Nov. 2 to Nov. 6
Friday trash areas: Nov. 9 to Nov. 14
Monday trash areas: Nov. 9 to Nov. 28, in three sections. Crews start around Quinapoxet and Grove streets, then move to Grove and Salisbury, then Salisbury and Pleasant.
Thursday trash areas: Nov. 14 to Nov. 21
Tuesday trash areas: Nov. 21 to Nov. 28

There is no leaf collection on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, or on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, over Thanksgiving. The city’s 2026 map says streets around Clark University, Holy Cross, Worcester State University and WPI will be done on Nov. 28 and Nov. 30. For the later Monday and Friday sections, the city warns that early snow is possible and suggests those residents consider a drop-off site instead.

How to put leaves out for collection

Worcester uses vacuum and sweeping equipment rather than bag pickup, so the order matters:

Wait for the signs. Crews post streets one to two days ahead. Before that, rake leaves from sidewalks and yards only to the edge of the gutter. Once your street is posted, push the row into the gutter, ideally the weekend before or the day collection begins.
Move your car. Posted streets have a no-parking ban from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while crews work, and cars left on the street will be ticketed.
Leaves and grass only. The equipment takes leaves and grass clippings. Biodegradable paper bags are fine; plastic bags of leaves, brush and branches will not be picked up.
Keep drains and cars clear. Do not cover catch basins, which can cause flooding, and do not park on leaf piles, which the city says can start a fire.
Timing counts. Leaves raked into a street after it has been swept will not be collected.

Neighborhood alerts go out through ALERTWorcester, the city’s text, phone and email system, and updates also run on Government Access Channel 192.

Worcester yard waste drop-off sites and November hours

Residents can skip the curb and bring leaves to a yard waste drop-off site for free, with no appointment. The sites are for Worcester residents only and ID is required; commercial loads are not accepted. November hours are:

1065 Millbury St. (residential drop-off center, next to the VFW post): Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Chandler St. (lot across from Foley Stadium): Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
299 Clark St. (near East Mountain Street): Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Millbury Street is the only site that takes brush and branches. Limbs can be up to 8 inches in diameter and 8 feet long, loose brush is allowed if the load is secured or covered on the way, and tree stumps are refused. All three sites are closed on Nov. 11. They reopen in December for Christmas tree drop-off.

Worcester trash pickup holiday schedule for November

When a holiday falls on a collection day, that day’s trash and recycling, and every route after it that week, moves back one day. Two November holidays trigger the delay:

Veterans Day week: Wednesday, Nov. 11 routes are collected Thursday, Thursday routes move to Friday and Friday routes move to Saturday, Nov. 14. Monday and Tuesday are unchanged.
Thanksgiving week: Thursday, Nov. 26 routes move to Friday and Friday routes move to Saturday, Nov. 28.

Curbside service covers buildings with one to six units. Trash must go in official yellow Pay-As-You-Throw bags; recycling pickup is free. For commuters planning around the holiday, our guide to the Worcester commuter rail schedule covers Thanksgiving train service.

Worcester leaf collection FAQ

When does Worcester leaf collection start in 2026?

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, beginning in Wednesday trash areas. The city expects it to take four to five weeks, depending on weather.

Does Worcester pick up leaves in plastic bags?

No. Leaf collection equipment takes loose leaves and grass, or leaves in biodegradable paper bags. Plastic bags of leaves, brush and branches are not collected.

Where can I drop off yard waste in Worcester?

At 1065 Millbury St., 300 Chandler St. or 299 Clark St. Drop-off is free for Worcester residents with ID, and no appointment is needed. Only Millbury Street takes branches.

Is Worcester trash pickup delayed for Thanksgiving?

Yes. Thursday, Nov. 26 collection moves to Friday, and Friday routes move to Saturday, Nov. 28.

Additional details

Bag prices: small yellow bags cost $1 each in sleeves of 10 and hold up to 15 pounds; large bags cost $1.75 each in sleeves of five and hold up to 30 pounds.
Set-out time: the city’s schedule page asks for trash and recycling at the curb between 5 and 7 a.m. on collection day. Its January calendar announcement listed 6 to 7:30 a.m., so putting bins out by 5 a.m. covers both.
Larger buildings: properties with seven or more units need private collection, though their residents can still use the Residential Drop-Off Center for recycling.
Bulk items: furniture, appliances and electronics go to the drop-off center by appointment through Worcester 311, not the curb.
Questions: Worcester 311 at 311 or 508-929-1300, or dpw@worcesterma.gov.
After the leaves: see our guide to Worcester winter parking ban rules, which take effect Dec. 1 on main roads. Boston residents can compare our Boston leaf pickup schedule.

Sources

Like this story? Get the newsletter

The day's Boston news, weather and local business in one short email, with links to the full stories.

Latest

All latest news →

Worcester Leaf Collection 2026: Schedule, Yard Waste Drop-Off and Holiday Trash