Melrose holiday trash and recycling schedule, 2026-27
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's pickup, Christmas tree dates, and holiday waste rules. Checked November 9, 2026. Confirm with the town before you set anything out.
Holiday pickup delays
Trash and recycling: Casella. Casella customer service 1-800-227-3552 is listed on the city calendar. Out by 7 a.m., not before 5 p.m. the day before. Source
Thanksgiving week
Thu Nov 26, 2026No curbside collection and City Yard closed Thu Nov 26. Fri Nov 27 and Sat Nov 28 are marked 'delayed one day' on the 2026 calendar (Friday pickups run Saturday). Source
Christmas week
Fri Dec 25, 2026No curbside collection and City Yard closed Fri Dec 25. Friday pickups move to Saturday Dec 26 (2026 calendar). Source
New Year's week
Fri Jan 1, 2027The 2027 calendar is not posted. City rule: holiday-week pickups run one day late for all days after the holiday, so Friday Jan 1 pickups would be Saturday. Not a confirmed 2027 date. Source
Last year: Jan 1, 2026 (Thu) was a no-collection holiday and Fri Jan 2 was marked delayed one day (2026 calendar).
Christmas tree pickup, January 2027
Melrose collects trees curbside during the first two weeks of January, or you can drop them at the Recycling Center. The 2027 weeks are not posted yet. Strip the tree and do not bag it. Source
Last year: Curbside live-tree collection ran the weeks of Jan 5 and Jan 12, 2026 (2026 calendar).
Rules
- No trees in plastic bags
- Remove stand, decorations, tinsel, twine, lights and ornaments
Tree drop-off
- DPW Recycling Center / City Yard, 72 Tremont St, Melrose. Mon, Tue, Thu 7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-3 p.m. April-December. Page says trees may be dropped at the Recycling Center in January; City Yard sticker is required for recycling drop-off. Trees in plastic bags not accepted. Source
Want it gone sooner? We pick up trees in Melrose, $40 and up.
Holiday waste rules in Melrose
Cardboard boxes
Flattened cardboard goes loose in the recycling barrel (lid must close) or to the City Yard recycling drop-off with a sticker. No size or bundle limit stated. Source
Styrofoam
Styrofoam, bubble wrap and plastic bags may not go in the recycling barrel. No styrofoam drop-off found. Source
Old string lights
String lights are on the free City Yard drop-off list (City Yard sticker needed). Source
Batteries and electronics
Rechargeable batteries are on the City Yard free drop-off list (sticker needed). TVs and computers are not on that list; the city calendar lists them as banned from the trash in Massachusetts. Source
No Melrose guidance found for: wrapping paper, foil and bows, cooking oil and grease, live wreaths and garland. Call the DPW.
Bulky items, swap shop and transfer station
Bulky furniture goes through Casella (1-800-227-3552 or Casella app) for a per-item fee. Metal/white goods collection runs on marked Tuesdays on the calendar (sticker or online payment). Last season's post-holiday recycling event was Sat Jan 3, 2026, 8-12 at the City Yard; 2027 event not posted. Source
Holiday closures
- Thu Nov 26 City Yard closed
- Fri Dec 25 City Yard closed (no curbside)
Melrose holiday trash
2026-27Hauler: Casella
- Thanksgiving week (Thu Nov 26, 2026)
No curbside collection and City Yard closed Thu Nov 26. Fri Nov 27 and Sat Nov 28 are marked 'delayed one day' on the 2026 calendar (Friday pickups run Saturday). - Christmas week (Fri Dec 25, 2026)
No curbside collection and City Yard closed Fri Dec 25. Friday pickups move to Saturday Dec 26 (2026 calendar). - New Year's week (Fri Jan 1, 2027)
The 2027 calendar is not posted. City rule: holiday-week pickups run one day late for all days after the holiday, so Friday Jan 1 pickups would be Saturday. Not a confirmed 2027 date. - Christmas trees
Dates not posted yet (check back). No trees in plastic bags; Remove stand, decorations, tinsel, twine, lights and ornaments. - Tree drop-off
DPW Recycling Center / City Yard, 72 Tremont St, Melrose. Mon, Tue, Thu 7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-3 p.m. April-December
Checked November 9, 2026. Confirm with Melrose DPW. Too much to put out? JunkRun, insured, text a photo for a price: (617) 545-0382. junkrun.co/holiday-trash-schedule/melrose
After the holidays: a pile too big for the curb?
Too much for the Melrose curb or a dump run? JunkRun is insured. We carry it out from inside, load it and haul it away. Flat prices, $159 minimum:
- Pile of boxes, wrapping and packaging (about a quarter trailer)$209
- Half a trailer: garage or basement shelf cleanout$319
- Old couch, carried out from any floor$139
- Mattress, recycling included$89–$129
- Christmas tree at the curb or by the door$40
- Tree carried out from inside (up to 8 ft)$55
Not sure what it comes to? Send a photo and we'll give you a price.
(617) 545-0382