Shrewsbury Solid Waste Management

Recycling in Shrewsbury
Municipal Solid Waste (or MSW) is more commonly known as trash.  MSW consists of everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, medical needles and batteries. This waste comes from many sources; our homes, schools and businesses.

The Town of Shrewsbury is dedicated to managing solid waste in a manner that is both ecologically sound and economically sustainable.  Our intent is to manage waste in our community in a way that contributes positively to our economic growth as a town as well as promoting our social progress as a community. 

  1. Electronic Waste Recycling Event - May 27, 2017

    St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is sponsoring an E-Waste Event, 34 Gold Street, Shrewsbury from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Read on...

  2. Rubbish and Recycling Delay - Due to Memorial Day, May 29, 2017

    In observance of Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, there will be a one day delay for both rubbish and recycling for that day's collection as well as the remainder of the week.

  3. Yard Waste Drop-OFF Program (Leaves and Grass ONLY) - First Drop-off is Saturday, June 10

    The Drop-off dates begin in the Summer of 2017 at the Municipal Garage on 211 South Street from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Read on...
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Pay As You Throw (PAYT) Program

The Town of Shrewsbury provides curbside trash pickup (collected on a weekly basis) and curbside recycling (collected on an every other week basis) for all households who participate in the Municipal Trash Collection Program through our contractor, Pellegrino Trucking. Recycling reduces the amount of trash that must be brought to transfer stations and landfills and directly lowers the cost of trash collection for the town. Recycling is mandatory.

Please place all trash and recyclables at the curb by 7:00 A.M.* on the morning of your scheduled collection day (and no sooner than the night before your scheduled collection day). It is recommended that the PAYT bags be placed in a lidded bin. This will help deter rodents, insects, and birds from getting into your trash. 
*Routes and drivers are subject to change without notice.

When your scheduled collection day falls on a holiday, that day's collection and all subsequent collections that week, will be delayed by one day. Friday's route will be collected on Saturday. Please refer to the to 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Recycling Calendar. The holidays are highlighted in yellow.


Curbside Trash Collection
  • Household trash must be contained inside Shrewsbury Pay As You Throw (PAYT) Blue Bags and set out at the curb by 7:00 A.M. on your scheduled collection day (and no sooner than the night before your scheduled collection day) to be eligible for pickup service. It is recommended that your PAYT bags be placed in a lidded bin. This will help deter rodents, insects, and birds from getting into your trash.
  • Your Shrewsbury Blue Bag should be able to close and weigh no more than 20 pounds.
  • Click here for information on where the Shrewsbury Blue Bags are sold.
  • Click Street Listing to determine your collection day.


Bulk Waste
  • Are items that won't fit into a Shrewsbury Blue Bag and weighs over 20 pounds - excludes electronics and appliances.
  • Please visit Bulk Waste under the Health Department's portion of the website.


Curbside Recycling Collection
  • Please visit Recycling under the Health Department's portion of the website to learn how to properly dispose of cardboard, cans, bottles, glass, etc.


Yard Waste Program (Pick-up and Drop-off)
  • Please visit Yard Waste under the Health Department's portion of the website to learn about the Pick-up and the Drop-off programs.

Services the Town DOES NOT provide:


There are certain waste items that the town is not prepared to handle, such as overly large or hazardous items.  Examples:

  • Electronics and appliances - These items are banned from curbside pick-up, as they contain hazardous components. When the Health Department learns of different organizations that sponsor take-back events, that information will be published on the town's website under NEWS FLASH.  

    Some suggestions for the disposal of these items are:
    • The Dumpster Divers, Shrewsbury at 508-925-5245 - please contact them for pricing
    • CK Appliance, Worcester at 508-755-4454 - please contact them for pricing (note: they no longer accept console tv's).
  • Fluorescent tubes (Rocky's Ace Hardware in Northborough will accept fluorescent tubes up to 4 feet in length for Shrewsbury residents at no charge - proof of residency may be required).

    Fluorescent tubes over 4 feet, must be returned to a Household Hazardous Products Collection Center. New England Disposal Technologies (NEDT) is located in Sutton. They charge according to the product type. For more information, please call (866) 769-1621, email them at info@NEDT.org or visit their website at NEDT
  • Curly light bulbs (CFL's) - Return to The Home Depot's courtesy counter). They have a return program.
  • Hazardous chemicals (ie. oil based paint, lacquer, stain, anti-freeze) - For more information, please call (866) 769-1621, email them at info@NEDT.org or visit their website at NEDT
  • Construction Debris - The following individuals will pick up small rubbish & building material at your residence for a fee:
    Bob Warren at (508) 752-5437
    Zona Company at (508) 752-4226