Clean City Program - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my trash picked up?

The City of Newport provides weekly, curbside trash collection to residential dwellings containing not more than eight dwelling units. Collection is limited to six 32 gallon trash barrels per collection.

All refuse must be stored between collections and set out for collection in barrels with tightly fitting covers. Barrels to be collected must be set out at the curb by 6 am on you collection day and not earlier than 7 pm the night before your collection.

What day is my trash and recycling collected?

Trash and recycling are collected once a week, on the same day. To find your collection day please check the map on the website or contact the Clean City Program at (401) 845-5613.

Collection calendars, showing holiday schedules and yard waste collection days are mailed to residents each December. If you would like a collection calendar please contact the Clean City Program Office at (401) 845-5613.

What is recycled in Newport?

Newport has a two-bin recycling program:

A blue bin is used to set out #1 & #2 plastic, metal and glass containers and milk cartons. Containers to be recycled should be rinsed clean and their covers should be discarded. Small metal items such as wire hangers, pots and pans and old toasters, can also be recycled in the blue bin.

A green bin is used to set out paper items including newspapers, magazines, cereal boxtype cardboard, junk mail, office paper, paperback books and corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard that does not fit in your green bin must be broken down to less than three feet long or wide and tied in bundles.

A drop-off is available for cardboard at the Newport Water Division Office at 70 Halsey Street between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. In order to use the drop-off, boxes must be emptied and flattened but can measure more than three feet long.

Pizza boxes and hardcover books are not recyclable.

If you would like a brochure about the City of Newport’s recycling program mailed to you please leave a message with the Newport Clean City Program at (401) 845-5613. Additional information on recycling in Rhode Island is available on Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation web-site at www.rirrc.org.

How do I get bulky trash items collected?

Three bulky trash items may be set out for collection each week, on residents’ collection day. If the items are not primarily made of metal, the regular trash collection truck will collect them and no appointment is necessary.

Residents must call the trash contractor in advance at 847-0230 for the collection of large metal items, heavier than 35 pounds or longer than 3 ft, and appliances. These items will be collected with a separate truck.

Appointments are also needed for the collection of tires. Residents need to call the trash contractor at 847-0230 for the collection of tires. Four tires may be set out for collection and all tires must be off their rims.

Wood waste must be in pieces less than four feet long either loose in barrels or tied in bundles. All wood waste, construction or demolition debris generated as a result of work done by a contractor is considered commercial waste and is not eligible for city collection services.

How do I get a recycling bin?

Recycling bins are available in the Tax Collections Office, located on the first floor of City Hall, 43 Broadway. Bins are $8.00 each, or $15.00 for a pair of green & blue.

You must show proof of Newport residency in order to purchase a bin.

How do I get bulky trash items collected?

Yard waste is collected four weeks in April, every other week through the spring and summer, four weeks in November and the first full week of the winter months. Yard waste is set out in brown paper leaf bags or loose in barrels labeled “yard waste”.

Free “YARD WASTE ONLY” stickers are available by calling the Clean City Program Office at (401) 845-5613. Yard waste must be free of sticks and litter and will not be collected in plastic bags.

There is a limit to 20 containers of yard waste per collection. Sticks and branches must be less than three feet long either loose in barrels or tied in bundles.

How do I recycle cardboard boxes?

In order for cardboard boxes to be collected through the curbside collection program they must be emptied, flattened and may not measure more than 3ft in any dimension.

Multiple boxes must be tied in bundles with string. Place cardboard next to your green bin. Smaller boxes may be recycled in your green bin.

A drop-off for cardboard is available at the Newport Water Department Office at 70 Halsey Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am through 4:30 p.m. In order to use the drop-off boxes must be emptied and flattened but can measure more than 3 ft long or wide.

Please note that pizza boxes are not recyclable and are collected with household trash.

What do I do with household hazardous waste?

Household hazardous waste must be disposed of through a household hazardous waste disposal program and cannot be collected through the regular curbside collection program.

The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation offers a hazardous materials drop-off, called the Eco-Depot, to state residents at their facility in Johnston and a limited number or regional collections scheduled in various locations throughout the state.

Appointments are needed well in advance and participation is limited for use of this program. For information please see the Rhode Island Resource Recovery website at www.rirc.org.

Please note that latex paint can be disposed of through the curbside collection program as long as the paint is dried solid. Clay kitty litter, Speedy-Dry or shredded paper stirred into the paint help to dry the paint faster.

Oil-based paints and stains must be disposed of through a household hazardous waste collection program.

What items are not collected through the residential collection program?

The residential curbside collection program does not collect brick, concrete blocks, dirt, automobile parts or hazardous materials.

Business waste and solid waste resulting from work done by a contractor are also not eligible for city provided collection service.

Is there a place where I can drop off trash?

Newport residential property owners are allowed two (2) trips to Waste Management Inc.’s Newport transfer station per fiscal year (July 1- June 30) at no charge. The maximum weight allowed per trip is 500 lbs.

In addition to the two (2) trips, Newport residential property owners will be allowed to use the transfer station at a discounted rate.

Tickets are no longer being issued for this program. Newport residential property owners must present a valid driver's license and water or tax bill showing their Newport address that corresponds to the tax roll information.

Waste Management Inc.’s transfer station is located on North Halsey Street off Admiral Kalbfus Rd at the rear of Newport Grand. The costs for the use of the transfer station in this program are subsidized by the City of Newport for Newport residential property owners only.

Eligible materials include residential household waste, household bulky waste and appliances, residential yard waste and recyclable materials. All loads must be covered and secured. Commercial waste and waste resulting from work performed by private contractors is not eligible.

The transfer station's hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 3:30pm (closed from 12pm-12:30pm for lunch) and Saturday 8am to Noon. Please exercise caution when using the Waste Management Inc.'s transfer station. For your safety, hard hats are required and will be provided for your use. The telephone number for the transfer station is 847-0230.