Reading 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: Republic Services. Fully automated town carts since July 6, 2026; weekly trash and recycling same day; recycling out by 6 a.m. DPW 781-942-9077. Source
Thanksgiving week
Thu Nov 26, 2026Town rule: a holiday delays pickup one day. For a Thursday holiday like Thanksgiving, only Thursday and Friday are affected (Friday's pickup is Saturday). No 2026 notice yet. Source
Christmas week
Fri Dec 25, 2026Town rule: holiday delays pickup one day; Friday's pickup is Saturday. The town page does not name the holidays; a local news item (Reading Observer, undated) lists Christmas Day. Dec 25 is a Friday. No 2026 notice yet. Source
New Year's week
Fri Jan 1, 2027Town rule: holiday delays pickup one day; Friday's pickup is Saturday. Jan 1 is a Friday. New Year's Day is on the delay-holiday list only per local news (Reading Observer, undated), not a town page. No 2027 notice yet. Source
Christmas tree pickup, January 2027
Reading picks up trees curbside one week in January and also takes them at the Compost Center on one January Saturday. 2027 dates are not posted yet. Source
Last year: Curbside with regular pickup Jan 12-16, 2026 (out by 7 a.m.); Compost Center drop-off Sat Jan 17, 2026, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Rules
- Remove decorations, lights, tinsel and ornaments
- No trees in plastic bags
- No wreaths or artificial trees (last year's notice)
Tree drop-off
- Compost Center, Strout Ave, Reading. One Saturday in January, dates TBA (last year Sat Jan 17, 8-2:30). Compost Access Sticker or Compost Card Permit needed to enter Source
Want it gone sooner? We pick up trees in Reading, $40 and up.
Holiday waste rules in Reading
Cardboard boxes
Flatten and break down boxes before placing them in the recycling cart. Source
Styrofoam
Only clean white #6 block/sheet styrofoam, no food containers or colored foam, at the DPW Garage, 75 New Crossing Rd, Mon-Fri 7:30-2:30. Source
Batteries and electronics
Post-1994 alkaline batteries can go in trash; button, NiCad, lithium batteries to a recycler (Call2Recycle). Most electronics (not TVs/monitors) drop off at the DPW Garage. Source
No Reading guidance found for: wrapping paper, foil and bows, old string lights, cooking oil and grease, live wreaths and garland. Call the DPW.
Bulky items, swap shop and transfer station
Bulk items must be scheduled and paid with Republic (1-800-442-9006). Mattresses via Tough Stuff Recycling. DPW Garage drop-off hours 7:30-2:30 weekdays. No holiday closures posted. Source
Reading holiday trash
2026-27Hauler: Republic Services
- Thanksgiving week (Thu Nov 26, 2026)
Town rule: a holiday delays pickup one day. For a Thursday holiday like Thanksgiving, only Thursday and Friday are affected (Friday's pickup is Saturday). No 2026 notice yet. - Christmas week (Fri Dec 25, 2026)
Town rule: holiday delays pickup one day; Friday's pickup is Saturday. The town page does not name the holidays; a local news item (Reading Observer, undated) lists Christmas Day. Dec 25 is a Friday. No 2026 notice yet. - New Year's week (Fri Jan 1, 2027)
Town rule: holiday delays pickup one day; Friday's pickup is Saturday. Jan 1 is a Friday. New Year's Day is on the delay-holiday list only per local news (Reading Observer, undated), not a town page. No 2027 notice yet. - Christmas trees
Dates not posted yet (check back). Remove decorations, lights, tinsel and ornaments; No trees in plastic bags; No wreaths or artificial trees (last year's notice). - Tree drop-off
Compost Center, Strout Ave, Reading. One Saturday in January, dates TBA (last year Sat Jan 17, 8-2:30)
Checked November 9, 2026. Confirm with Reading DPW. Too much to put out? JunkRun, insured, text a photo for a price: (617) 545-0382. junkrun.co/holiday-trash-schedule/reading
After the holidays: a pile too big for the curb?
Too much for the Reading 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