Bien Garcia
Recycling Coordinator
Recycling Coordinator
David N. Cicilline
Mayor of Providence
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I recycle?
Each resident can purchase a blue recycle bin and a green recycle bin. The green bin is used for paper. You can put all newspaper, cardboard boxes (in pieces no larger than 3 x 2), and all other paper made materials inside. Egg cartons, shoeboxes and books are some other items you can put in your green can. The blue recycle bins are used to sort plastics, glass, and metals. Some of the examples of what to put in your blue bin are hair spray cans, milk jugs, juice boxes, soda cans and aluminum foil.
Each resident can purchase a blue recycle bin and a green recycle bin. The green bin is used for paper. You can put all newspaper, cardboard boxes (in pieces no larger than 3 x 2), and all other paper made materials inside. Egg cartons, shoeboxes and books are some other items you can put in your green can. The blue recycle bins are used to sort plastics, glass, and metals. Some of the examples of what to put in your blue bin are hair spray cans, milk jugs, juice boxes, soda cans and aluminum foil.
2. How do I dispose of yard debris?
Curbside leaf and yard waste service is offered from mid-April to mid-December only.
Leaves and all other yard debris must be labeled and put in paper bags. Please leave these items out on your trash day. Tree branches must be bundled together
Curbside leaf and yard waste service is offered from mid-April to mid-December only.
Leaves and all other yard debris must be labeled and put in paper bags. Please leave these items out on your trash day. Tree branches must be bundled together
3. What to do about rats in the neighborhood and in my trash?
It is important to keep lids on trashcans to keep rodents out. You can report various rodent sightings to the Department of Environmental Services. Once a report has been made, the owner of the property must sign a consent form. The department will then start the baiting process.
It is important to keep lids on trashcans to keep rodents out. You can report various rodent sightings to the Department of Environmental Services. Once a report has been made, the owner of the property must sign a consent form. The department will then start the baiting process.
4. Why wasn’t my trash picked up?
The proper way to dispose of trash is to have all trash bins in one area with the lids fully closed. Your recycling containers and yard waste barrels (or paper yard waste bags) should be placed beside your Big Green can.
Bagged or loose trash is not to be left outside of or next to the Big Green Can. Keeping the lids on the cans fully shut helps keep rodents away (esp. rats).
All cardboard boxes must be flattened or broken down into pieces no larger than 3 x 2 and tied into bundles with string (not wire or tape). Boxes that do not meet these size requirements will be tagged with a sticker and left at the curb. If cardboard is observed inside Big Green Cans during routine environmental inspections, a $50 fine will be issued.
E-waste (computers & electronic equipment) must be scheduled for pickup curbside to be properly recycled. Public Works also offers two e-waste dropoff containers.
Materials such as paint (except when cans are mostly empty), sheet rock, and wood are not permitted. A small amount of household renovation or construction debris is permitted as part of personal home improvement projects. Projects involving the use of a contractor require the contracting of a dumpster.
The proper way to dispose of trash is to have all trash bins in one area with the lids fully closed. Your recycling containers and yard waste barrels (or paper yard waste bags) should be placed beside your Big Green can.
Bagged or loose trash is not to be left outside of or next to the Big Green Can. Keeping the lids on the cans fully shut helps keep rodents away (esp. rats).
All cardboard boxes must be flattened or broken down into pieces no larger than 3 x 2 and tied into bundles with string (not wire or tape). Boxes that do not meet these size requirements will be tagged with a sticker and left at the curb. If cardboard is observed inside Big Green Cans during routine environmental inspections, a $50 fine will be issued.
E-waste (computers & electronic equipment) must be scheduled for pickup curbside to be properly recycled. Public Works also offers two e-waste dropoff containers.
Materials such as paint (except when cans are mostly empty), sheet rock, and wood are not permitted. A small amount of household renovation or construction debris is permitted as part of personal home improvement projects. Projects involving the use of a contractor require the contracting of a dumpster.
5. My Big Green Can is not big enough to hold my trash?
The Big Green Can is a 95-gallon container and is big enough to hold all weekly trash. If you do not have enough space at the end of the week, we strongly recommend you begin recycling.
The Big Green Can is a 95-gallon container and is big enough to hold all weekly trash. If you do not have enough space at the end of the week, we strongly recommend you begin recycling.
6. My Big Green Can is too big, what should I do?
For residents with this problem, the city can issue a smaller version of the can upon request. Instead of a 95-gallon green can residents can request the smaller 65-gallon green can.
For residents with this problem, the city can issue a smaller version of the can upon request. Instead of a 95-gallon green can residents can request the smaller 65-gallon green can.
7. How do I contact Rhode Island Resource and Recovery?
Rhode Island Resource Recovery’s phone number is 401-942-1430 and their web address is:
http://www.rirrc.org/content/index.php?id=home/
Rhode Island Resource Recovery’s phone number is 401-942-1430 and their web address is:
http://www.rirrc.org/content/index.php?id=home/
8. I want to start recycling at my school, work, or business. How can the city help me?
It is important that we all work together to keep our environment safe and clean. The Environmental Department actively promotes recycling and supports all businesses and schools in their efforts to recycle. Although the City is not responsible for trash pick-up or recycling in businesses or schools, the City is delighted to send out information to any schools or businesses that want to start recycling. Information includes what and how to recycle and how to sort trash items. The Recycling website also provides information about why everyone should recycle, educational resources, news, and more.
Residential complexes with more than 6 units, businesses, and independent schools (those managed outside of the Providence Public School department) can receive information by request about how to purchase commercial recycling service.
Please note that Providence Public schools (those managed by PPSD), have paper recycling service available through Waste Management. For more details, please contact PPSD Facilities Management at 401 278 2820.
It is important that we all work together to keep our environment safe and clean. The Environmental Department actively promotes recycling and supports all businesses and schools in their efforts to recycle. Although the City is not responsible for trash pick-up or recycling in businesses or schools, the City is delighted to send out information to any schools or businesses that want to start recycling. Information includes what and how to recycle and how to sort trash items. The Recycling website also provides information about why everyone should recycle, educational resources, news, and more.
Residential complexes with more than 6 units, businesses, and independent schools (those managed outside of the Providence Public School department) can receive information by request about how to purchase commercial recycling service.
Please note that Providence Public schools (those managed by PPSD), have paper recycling service available through Waste Management. For more details, please contact PPSD Facilities Management at 401 278 2820.
9. How do I know if my yard is up to city standards?
All residents are expected to keep their property up to city standards. Yards are to be kept clean and tidy at all times.
Residents are responsible for the proper disposal of yard debris such as tree limbs, branches, and leaves. Grass is to be kept neat and cut so that it is less than 6 inches high.
Broken glass and animal droppings are to be cleaned up in a timely fashion and disposed of properly. Hazardous materials such as tires, auto fluids, and other household chemicals are not permitted. Yards are to be kept free of: construction materials such as paint cans, sheet rock, and other materials used in home remodeling.
All residents are expected to keep their property up to city standards. Yards are to be kept clean and tidy at all times.
Residents are responsible for the proper disposal of yard debris such as tree limbs, branches, and leaves. Grass is to be kept neat and cut so that it is less than 6 inches high.
Broken glass and animal droppings are to be cleaned up in a timely fashion and disposed of properly. Hazardous materials such as tires, auto fluids, and other household chemicals are not permitted. Yards are to be kept free of: construction materials such as paint cans, sheet rock, and other materials used in home remodeling.
10. Where can I go to pay a citation?
Tickets must be paid - or an additional fine will be assessed and further action may be taken.
Tickets can be paid by mail with a check or money order payable to the Providence Municipal Court. Cash payments can be made directly at the clerk's window at the Municipal Court. All payment arrangements must be made with the Municipal Court.
Tickets must be paid - or an additional fine will be assessed and further action may be taken.
Tickets can be paid by mail with a check or money order payable to the Providence Municipal Court. Cash payments can be made directly at the clerk's window at the Municipal Court. All payment arrangements must be made with the Municipal Court.
Department of Public Works Information & Hours
700 Allens Avenue,
Providence, RI 02905
Phone: (401) 467-7950
Hearing Impaired: TDD 831-4327
Illegal Dumping Hotline: 941-3478
Environmental Enforcement: 467-7950
Hours:
Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Summer Hours:
Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm
