Trash and recycling was delayed for one day for those in the Thursday and Friday collection areas during the the week of Christmas and will also be delayed by one day the week of New Year’s, Town Hall and other Town of West Hartford facilities have adjusted holiday hours, and information about Christmas tree collection.

Submitted

The Town of West Hartford wishes you and your family a Happy Holiday season! Throughout the rest of the week, and through the New Year’s Day holiday, there are a few changes in hours of operation.

TRASH COLLECTION DELAY

Since New Year’s Day fall on a Thursday, trash, metal, and recycling collection will be delayed by one day after the holiday. Thursday’s area will be picked up on Friday, and Friday’s area will be picked up on Saturday. Please place barrels at the curb by 6 a.m.

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS

Municipal offices, libraries, and recreation facilities, including senior centers, the community center, and pool will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. The collection of trash and recyclable materials will be delayed by one day after each holiday.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

West Hartford Public Schools will be on holiday break from Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Students will return to school on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

LIBRARIES

All three libraries will close at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

PUBLIC SKATING SESSIONS

The Veterans Memorial Skating Rink will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Looking for something fun to do? Public Skating sessions are offered all week, Dec. 26-Jan. 2. Check out the schedule.

CORNERSTONE AQUATICS CENTER

Dec. 31: 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Jan. 1: Closed

ROCKLEDGE & BUENA VISTA GOLF COURSES

Rockledge Golf Club and Buena Vista Golf Course are open for recreational use during the winter months. For everyone’s safety, golfing is NOT allowed while the course is closed. The trails are available for jogging, walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing daily from dawn to dusk. Click here for a map.

Residents may bring their dogs on the course but must follow the rules for all parks and school grounds year-round.

The Rockledge Golf Shop is now closed for the season.

MDC TRAILS

The Metropolitan District’s (MDC) recreational facilities will have limited hours for the New Year’s holidays.

Hours at the West Hartford Reservoir, located at 1420 Farmington Avenue; Reservoir #6, located off Route 44/Albany Avenue in West Hartford, and the West Branch Reservoir in Hartland will be limited per the following schedule:

Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve (closed at noon)
Jan. 1, New Year’s Day (open)

SPECIAL CARDBOARD, E-WASTE DROP-OFF

The Department of Public Works is offering a post-holiday, two-day cardboard and electronics recycling collection on Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yard Waste and Recycling Center. Electronic waste is anything with a plug and no freon. This includes holiday string lights. Electronics and string lights are not allowed in curbside recycling. Please break down cardboard boxes before arriving. No permit is required to drop off cardboard and electronics. A permit is for all other items. No commercial waste is permitted.

This event is for cardboard and electronics only; all other disposal of recyclable items require an annual permit.

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Break down and fold cardboard boxes flat.
• Empty boxes of all Styrofoam, plastic bags, and plastic film. Discard at home. Styrofoam is trash.
• E-waste includes phones, cameras, electric cords, TVs, computers, hair dryers, toasters, and more.
• Holiday string lights are e-waste and will be collected (they are not allowed in curbside recycling barrels)
• No air conditioners, dehumidifiers, mini-refrigerators, or any product containing Freon.

Cardboard is recycled into new, much-needed products like boxes and tissue paper.

Thank you for helping the Town meet its goals to reduce trash and increase recycling!

SPECIAL CARDBOARD, E-WASTE DROP-OFF

The Department of Public Works is offering a post-holiday, two-day cardboard and electronics recycling collection on Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yard Waste and Recycling Center. Electronic waste is anything with a plug and no freon. This includes holiday string lights. Electronics and string lights are not allowed in curbside recycling. Please break down cardboard boxes before arriving. No permit is required to drop off cardboard and electronics. A permit is for all other items. No commercial waste is permitted.

This event is for cardboard and electronics only; all other disposal of recyclable items require an annual permit.

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Break down and fold cardboard boxes flat.
• Empty boxes of all Styrofoam, plastic bags, and plastic film. Discard at home. Styrofoam is trash.
• E-waste includes phones, cameras, electric cords, TVs, computers, hair dryers, toasters, and more.
• Holiday string lights are e-waste and will be collected (they are not allowed in curbside recycling barrels)
• No air conditioners, dehumidifiers, mini-refrigerators, or any product containing Freon.

Cardboard is recycled into new, much-needed products like boxes and tissue paper.

Thank you for helping the town meet its goals to reduce trash and increase recycling!

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION

Public Works will make two town-wide sweeps to collect Christmas trees. The collection runs from Monday, Jan. 5, to Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Trees are picked up on your trash collection day.

They will make two complete sweeps through town during the two-week period. Residents are encouraged to put their trees at the curb (not in the street) on any day during the first week of collection to ensure pick-up. Crew may get ahead of schedule, weather permitting, and move into the next collection area.

During the final collection week, trees must be at the curb by 6 a.m. on your designated trash day. Drivers will not return for trees put out after your trash day.

Trees are recycled into wood chips, so remove all decorations and lights. (No artificial trees. No bags!)

Please help us during snowstorms by removing trees from the side of the road. Crews cannot dig out trees buried under snow.

Residents can also bring their trees to the town’s Recycling Center at 25 Brixton Center, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (Please note that Saturday hours are not available January through March.) An annual permit is required for drop-off.

If you have any questions, please call the Department of Public Works at 860-561-8100.

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