Reading preparing for fully automated trash and recycling collection starting July 2026
(54-6 minute read)
Graphic by the Town of Reading.
The Town of Reading is preparing residents for major changes to curbside trash and recycling collection beginning this summer.
Starting July 6, 2026, all curbside collection will fully transition to automated collection trucks operated by Republic Services. The trucks use mechanical lifting arms to empty standardized trash and recycling carts, creating a system officials describe as safer, cleaner, and more efficient.
What is not changing?
Town officials emphasized that several aspects of service will remain the same:
Collection days will NOT change
Trash and recycling will continue to be collected weekly
Residents can continue using the same weekly pickup schedule already assigned to their address.
What is changing?
Fully automated collection
Beginning in July, all collections will be performed using truck-mounted mechanical arms.
Because of this:
All trash and recycling must fit inside the Town-issued carts
Proper cart placement will become much more important
Alternative containers will no longer be accepted
Overflow trash bags
For occasional extra household trash, the Town will allow residents to use official overflow bags.
Officials said:
Only one overflow bag will be permitted per week
The bag must be placed on top of the trash cart for pickup
Overflow bags will be sold at local retailers and the DPW Office at Town Hall
Bulk item collection changes
Bulk items will also change under the new system.
Residents must now:
Schedule bulk pickups directly with Republic Services
Pay Republic Services directly for the collection
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-800-422-9006.
How residents should place carts
To ensure successful automated collection, officials are asking residents to review several placement guidelines.
Proper cart placement
Residents should:
Place carts near the curb or edge of their property
Keep lids fully closed
Position wheels toward the curb
Face handles away from the street
Keep carts upright on a stable surface
Clearance requirements
Officials recommend leaving at least:
3 ft of clearance on all sides of carts
Space away from vehicles, mailboxes, and other obstacles
The Town acknowledged that full spacing may not always be possible and encouraged residents to position carts as close to the guidelines as they reasonably can.
Additional collection reminders
Bag household trash
Officials ask residents to place all household trash in secured bags before placing it inside the trash carts to reduce spills and odors.
Break down cardboard boxes
Large cardboard boxes must be flattened before being placed in recycling carts to:
Save space
Prevent overflow
Improve collection efficiency
Recyclables should remain loose
Residents are reminded not to bag recyclables. Materials placed in recycling carts should remain loose; otherwise, they may not be collected.
What residents should avoid
Officials also outlined several common issues that may prevent collection:
Overfilled carts
Items placed on top of carts
Blocked access from parked vehicles or objects
Unauthorized carts or containers
Bagged recyclables
Cart placement that blocks traffic or roadways
Additional cart options
Residents may request:
A smaller 48-gallon trash cart
An additional 96-gallon recycling cart at no charge
Residents may lease an additional 64-gallon trash cart for $200 annually. A second cart agreement is required for additional trash carts.
Learn more
Additional details, cart request forms, collection instructions, and updates are available on the Town’s automated collection webpage.
Residents with questions may contact the Department of Public Works at 781-439-6930.
Officials also encourage residents to submit concerns through SeeClickFix if pickup issues occur after the transition begins.
