Leaf and Yard Waste Pickup in Watertown, MA

The remaining pickup weeks

Earlier in 2026 yard waste ran on selected weeks: April 6, 13 and 21, May 4 and 18, June 8 and 22, July 6 and 20, and Aug 3 and 17. From Aug 31 it is weekly, on your trash day, through the week of Dec 7. After that there is no curbside leaf pickup until spring, so the early December week is your last chance for raked leaves. Leaves can also go to the Recycle Center at 76 Stanley Ave on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 4pm with ID.

Putting it out

Paper bags or a barrel emptied loosely at the curb; never the black trash tote or the recycling tote. No dirt or rocks. Branches thicker than 3 inches are not accepted, and they need to be cut to 3 feet and bundled. The pile of leaves that blows into a gutter on a street with triple-deckers on both sides often ends up in the neighbor's yard, so bag early in the week.

Beyond the weekly pickup

If a tree comes down in a storm or you have a whole yard to clear, the volume exceeds a weekly barrel. JunkRun prices yard debris as a trailer load: $209 for a quarter, $319 for a half, $519 for a full 12 cubic yard trailer. Dead shrubs with trunks over 3 inches, stump grindings and rotted fence boards are examples of what the city will not take. Christmas trees are not mentioned on the yard waste page. Compare that with bagging 15 or 20 containers over several weeks if the pickup rules and the 3-foot limits fit your trees.

Watertown yard waste calendar, 2026

Period	Frequency	Notes
April 6 - Aug 17	Selected weeks only	Apr 6, 13, 21; May 4, 18; Jun 8, 22; Jul 6, 20; Aug 3, 17
Aug 31 - Dec 7	Every week on trash day	Leaves and brush
After Dec 7	None curbside	Stanley Ave drop-off Tue/Fri/Sat
Brush	Under 3 in thick	Bundle in 3-ft lengths

Local resources in Watertown

Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.

Town
Watertown Recycle Center
Accepts: Mercury items and fluorescent bulbs
Open Tue, Fri, Sat 9am-4pm year round; Watertown ID required, no businesses. In Watertown itself.
76 Stanley Ave, Watertown, MA 02472 (enter via Green River Way)
Website for Watertown Recycle Center

Quick answers

Can I put leaves in plastic bags?

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No. Use paper bags or a barrel; plastic bags and city carts are refused.

When is the last leaf pickup?

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The week of December 7, 2026.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Watertown before you go.

City of Watertown: Yard Waste Pickup: “every week from August 31 through December 7, 2026” · accessed October 31, 2026
City of Watertown: Recycle Center: “The hours of operation are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM all year round” · accessed October 31, 2026

Leaf and yard waste pickup in Watertown, MA