Frequently Asked Questions

All residential households in Portsmouth with non-commercial structures, buildings containing five or fewer residential units, and non-condominium complexes without active homeowners’ associations are eligible. Households with six or more units, as well as condominiums and mobile home parks, may not be eligible for Curbside Collection at this time. Residents on Hog, Patience, and Prudence Islands are also not currently eligible.

Visit Portsmouth Town Hall at 2200 East Main Road during normal business hours to submit a completed application. A $40 deposit is required if full payment cannot be made at the time of signing up. Full payment must be received by June 1, 2025.

Applications should be submitted in person at Town Hall by March 28, 2025. Full payment of the annual fee should be made by June 1, 2025.

You may still sign up after March 28, but to ensure service begins on July 1, it is best to register as early as possible. Early sign-ups help with organizing collection routes and cart distribution.

Please contact your previous vendor to arrange cart removal, as old carts cannot be used in the new program. Vendors should not charge for cart pick-up.

You may still sign up for the program if you reside on a private roadway.  While your normal collection day may be different from the other households in your proximity, you will still receive weekly collection services for each cart.   Also, your two carts may be collected on different days, but should be placed out for service by 6:00am each day.   Please refer to the street listing guide (forthcoming) for normal collection day.

You may contact the Department of Public Works at (401) 683-0362 or email curbside@portsmouthri.gov, or click here.

Contact your current vendor to cancel your subscription by June 30, 2025. The Town has asked vendors to refund any prepayments for services beyond this date and to remove carts at no additional charge.

Mega will automatically swap your existing carts for new town-issued carts if you enroll in the program.

You can sign up when you return.

You may continue to use the transfer station. However, private curbside collection will no longer be available from any vendor other than the town's contracted provider.