Home » Departments » Highway » Trash and Recycling

Trash & Recycling

Starting December 1st, 2023, Manchester's trash and recycling collection services will follow new eligibility criteria.

Important Notice:

The implementation deadline has been suspended until further notice. We encourage affected property owners to submit a waiver in the event private collection is still necessary.

Summary of Eligible Properties

Beginning December 1st, 2023, the following properties remain eligible for municipal trash and recycling collection:
  • Residential properties with 1-4 dwelling units;
  • Commercial uses outside the Downtown Collection Zone (DCZ) that occupy detached buildings less than 7,500 square feet, providing personal services or services as defined in the Zoning Ordinance under principal uses H-1 and H-6;
  • Commercial uses within the DCZ that do not exceed allowable trash volume per Section 91.67.

Summary of Ineligible Properties

Starting December 1st, 2023, the following properties will be ineligible for municipal trash and recycling collection:
  • Multifamily Dwellings, Lodging Houses, Planned Developments, or Condominium Complexes with 5 dwelling units or more;
  • All other Commercial uses not meeting the specified criteria listed above.

If your property does not meet the eligible criteria for municipal collection, you can request a waiver here, or by selecting "Private Trash Collection Waiver" in the Quick Links.

Curbside Recycling Collection

Collection is weekly in most areas, with more frequent pickups downtown. Curbside recycling is single-stream. A blue recycling cart is required.  See rules.

Curbside Trash Collection

Collection is weekly in most areas, with more frequent pickups downtown and in high-density neighborhoods.  See rules. Collection Schedules. For bulky items, schedule an appointment (fees apply).

Yard Waste

Collection is every week in early spring beginning mid-April and late fall beginning in October. In between spring and fall, curbside pick up of yard waste is every fourth week.  Service ceases in winter, except for Christmas tree collection the third week of January.  See rules.

Textile Recycling

Textiles (clothing, shoes, bedding, and more) make up approximately 6% of our waste stream. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average US resident throws away more than 85 pounds of textiles each year. 

Manchester has partnered with HELPSY and WasteZero to provide residents with a free and easy way of recycling their textiles - curbside collection. Please click here to schedule your curbside collection of textiles.

Composting Through a Vendor

Composting is a great alternative to throwing away food scraps. Food scraps and yard waste currently make up approximately 30 percent of our trash! Check out our brochure to learn how you can start composting through a vendor today!

*Please note that acceptable items vary by vendor.

Composting at Home

Composting is also possible to do right in your backyard. The State of New Hampshire has different restrictions for backyard composting compared to vendor pick-up. Make sure to review both the New Hampshire and Manchester guidelines and ordinances before starting.

*Please note that meat and dairy items are prohibited from backyard composting in New Hampshire.

Drop-Off Facility

The City's transfer station provides an alternative disposal option for most wastes and recyclables generated in Manchester.  Fees and restrictions apply to most materials.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Hazardous waste is not collected curbside.  Residents may bring household products to one of the semi-annual collection events, held on the second Saturdays of May and October.