By Tiffany Williams –
Worcester, Massachusetts — The City of Worcester announced Friday the trash and recycling calendar for 2026, outlining how holiday observances will affect weekly curbside collection throughout the year.
City officials said whenever a scheduled trash or recycling pickup falls on a holiday, that day’s collection and all remaining collections for the week will be delayed by one day. The adjustment applies citywide and is reflected in the official 2026 calendar.
There are 11 holidays in 2026 that will result in a one-day delay in trash and recycling service. 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 and Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 12, Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 26, and Christmas Day on Dec. 25.
City officials noted that Independence Day is the only scheduled holiday that will not result in a delay. The holiday will be observed on July 3 in 2026, and trash and recycling collection will proceed on the regular schedule that week.
Residents are advised to place trash and recyclables at the curb between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. The city emphasized that placing materials out earlier or later than the recommended window could result in missed pickups.
The updated calendar is intended to help residents plan ahead and avoid confusion during holiday weeks, particularly during periods when multiple service delays occur in close succession.