Trash, Recycling, and other Waste information for Residential Trash Services on City Streets
How do I get information about the trash collection system?
Trash and Recycling
All household trash must fit into the wheeled toters/carts supplied and serviced by Waste Management (WM). Overloaded toters or those with trash piles on top of the lid will not be serviced. Waste Management has also supplied Rochester residents with recycling toters/carts that will be serviced on the same day, by a different WM truck. Recycled materials, such as paper, cans, glass, and bottles should be loaded into the yellow-covered recycle toter as are not bagged. Do not place in plastic bags or plastic grocery store bags, they are not recyclable as part of this program. You may return clean plastic grocery bags to the store for recycling.
ATTENTION: New overflow trash bag program in effect 8/20/24
This new program applies specifically to overflow waste that cannot fit into the standard green residential cart and is brought directly to the Waste Management Residential Drop-Off location. Residents whose trash fits entirely within their green carts do not need to purchase the new City trash bags.
Beginning August 20, 2024, trash bags will be available for purchase at both Market Basket and Hannaford Supermarket locations in Rochester. The bags will be sold in rolls of five for $9.00. Please note that the Tax Office will not be selling the new trash bags.
For residents who have already purchased stickers under the current program, Waste Management will continue to honor these stickers until December 31, 2024.
What items does the City recycle?
Cardboard, glass jars & bottles, magazines, metal cans, mixed paper, newspapers, phonebooks, and all plastics. For specific questions about Rochester's Curbside Recycling Guidelines please call Waste Management directly at 1-800-972-4545.
Bulky Waste
Hours of operation for the Rochester Residential Drop off at Waste Management, on Rochester Neck Road are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8 am to 3 pm, and Saturdays 8 am to 5 pm. Rochester residents may bring mattresses, furniture, appliances, (not refrigerators or Air Conditioners), TVs, Tires, light construction debris, and all recycling at any time during these hours. If you are unsure about what can be brought to the drop off please call WM at 332-2386. If you cannot bring a large item to the drop-off center, large or bulky items are picked up the 2nd FULL week of the month (a full week starts with Sunday) ON YOUR REGULAR TRASH DAY. Waste Management will NOT pick up any electronics curbside at any time; these items will need to be brought to the drop-off center.
2026 Schedule, Weeks Starting
- Jan 12
- Feb 9
- Mar 9
- Apr 13
- May 11
- Jun 15
- Jul 13
- Aug 10
- Sep 14
- Oct 12
- Nov 9
- Dec 14
Leaf and Yard Waste
Spring and fall leaf pick-up is scheduled with Waste Management of NH each year. There are two scheduled weeks in the spring and two scheduled weeks in the fall. The dates are posted in advance on the City Web site. We also advertise the dates in the Foster's Daily Democrat. Waste will be picked up on your normal trash day during the scheduled weeks. Leaves must be put in brown paper leaf bags. Bags are available at several local stores. Brush must be cut into 3-foot lengths and tied and bundled.
2026 spring leaf pick up will be the week of April 27 and the week of May 4 on your normal scheduled trash day.
2026 fall leaf pick up will be the week of October 19 and the week of November 2 on your normal scheduled trash day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where can I drop off hazardous waste such as paints and other household items?
The City has a Household Hazardous Waste Day, and is usually held in the spring. This year the 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Event will be held on Saturday May 16, 2026 for the communities of Barrington, Farmington, Milton, Middleton, New Durham, Northwood, Rochester, Somersworth, Strafford, and Wakefield. This event is from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Waste Management,18 Isinglass Drive (off of Rochester Neck Road) in Rochester. THE RESIDENTIAL DROP OFF SITE FOR TRASH & YARD WASTE WILL BE CLOSED THE DAY OF THE EVENT TO ACCOMMODATE THIS EVENT. 2026 HHW Day Flyer
Household Hazardous Waste Public Notice
Who picks up my trash and what day? Is today one of the Holidays that trash pick up is a day behind?
Waste Management picks up the trash and recycling. The number at which to reach them is 332-2386. The staff at Waste Management can help you with the above questions. There are only 6 holidays when there is a delay for pickup, those days are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When the holiday falls on one of these days, that day's service and the remainder of the week will be delayed one day.
Where can I buy a recycling bin?
Recycle toter/carts have a yellow lid and are supplied by Waste Management and can not be purchased.
The Rochester Department of Public Works no longer takes used motor oil. Click here for local garages that may take used motor oil, you can also check with other local garages to see if they will take used motor oil.
What should I do if I see someone dumping trash along the road?
Illegally dumping trash is dangerous, unsightly, and costly to pick up. If you see someone dumping trash in Rochester, please do us all a favor and call 330-7127 to report it.
Questions?
Contact Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 or the Rochester DPW at 332-4096