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Providence's recycling rate decreased to 7.1% in 2024, down from 7.8% in 2023, significantly below the state requirement of 35%. Contamination at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has led to increased rejections, with 18,078 tons rejected in 2024.

To address this, Zero Waste Providence partnered with the City, receiving $220,000 for a door-to-door education initiative aimed at improving recycling behavior. Starting in March 2026, the City will also distribute new 95-gallon trash and recycling carts to 62,500 households, costing approximately $7.4 million, and implement a comprehensive education campaign to reduce contamination and increase recycling rates.