Trash & Recycling

View the Trash & Recycling collection holiday schedule.

Curbside trash and recycling collection is conducted weekly by Casella/Pine Tree Waste, a local company contracted by the City. Waste and recycling is hauled to EcoMaine, a non-profit, community-owned recycling and waste-to-energy plant in Portland.

Each residence that is eligible for curbside collection is issued two barrels – green for rubbish and blue for recycling. Eligibility criteria is outlined in Chapter 9, Section 6 of the City’s Code of Ordinance (PDF).  Exclusions may apply, such as cluster housing over 4 units or homes on private drives. 

On your collection day (PDF), place barrels curbside in your driveway apron, front-facing, by 7 am and remove emptied containers by sunset the same day. Barrels must be 3 feet from any obstacles, including each other, and not be blocking sidewalks or in the street. 

trash collection placement

Please note that neither yard waste nor construction debris is accepted in barrels.  A note about the trash truck: you may notice that it appears trash and recycling is being mixed as it is emptied into the truck, but this is not the case. Casella uses split body trucks, and their drivers empty each bin into the correct compartment within the truck. 

To report trash that's not picked up or to request a repair or replacement trash or recycling bin, please call Public Works at 207-767-7635. Recycle lids are available for pickup at the Municipal Services office across from the Transfer Station, if you'd prefer to replace it yourself.

There is no large-item curbside pickup in South Portland. Permitted large items may be taken to the Transfer Facility.  Please refer to the Transfer Facility's Accepted Items & Fee Schedule (PDF) for more information.

The following items are uniquely recyclable through state take-back programs:

South Portland participates in a single-sort recycling program and encourages all residents to reduce the amount of waste you generate by recycling. Not only is recycling an environmentally-conscientious action, but it saves you money by saving the City money in solid waste tipping fees. 

For questions such as how to dispose of items, or what can be recycled, visit ecoMaine's Recyclopedia interactive tool.

  1. 1 Trash
  2. 2 Recycling

Food Waste Composting Program

Diverting food waste from the municipal solid waste stream is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste; on average, up to a third of household waste consists of food scraps. Rather than sending your food waste down the disposal or to a landfill, convert it to compost by participating in the City of South Portland's Food Waste Composting Program (link). 

Curbside Leaf and Christmas Tree Collection

Fall Leaf Collection

Curbside Leaf collection is conducted once per year, usually in November. Specific collection dates will be provided as the event nears. Place leaves in biodegradable paper bags (no plastic) by collection start date, and leave curbside until collected.  It's helpful if bags are placed in a pile, away from obstacles, rather than lined up in a row.  Our machinery works like giant salad tongs!  If you should miss the collection, leaves can be brought to the Transfer Facility, free of charge.   

Christmas Tree Collection

Trees are collected by Public Works staff (not the company that empties your trash bins) for approximately 2 weeks following Christmas. Specific collection dates will be provided as the event nears. Please be sure your trees are free of ornaments, tinsel and any other non-compostable items.  Place them curbside, near but not in the public right of way. If there is a snow event prior to pickup, please shake the snow off the tree so we can find it. If you should miss the collection period, trees can be brought to the Transfer Facility, free of charge.  

 In 2026, trees will be picked up beginning Monday, January 5 through roughly January 16, weather permitting. 

Hazardous Household & Electronic Waste Collection

Please check out our Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Waste information page.