Curbside Recycling Instructions

Recycling is collected weekly as single stream: all recyclables can be placed in one clearly labeled bin or barrel. If you’d like to continue to sort your recyclables you can do so.

Recycle Guide

For further guidance on what can and cannot be recycled please check the RECYCLOPEDIA by RecycleSmartMA. 

Paper

What To Recycle
 
  • Mail and envelopes (envelope windows OK)
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Paperback books (or donate to a book bin)
  • Phone books
  • Paper bags
  • Newspaper
  • Greeting cards (with no glitter, foil, or metallic ink)

Do Not Include

  • Shredded paper
  • Paper towels, facial tissues, napkins
  • Cigarette packs
  • Candy wrappers
  • Wax or plastic-coated paper
  • Wrapping paper
  • Hardcover books
  • Disposable hot beverage cups

Cardboard

What To Recycle
  • Cardboard boxes (flattened)
  • Pizza boxes 
  • Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
  • Frozen food boxes (no wax coating)
  • Paper egg cartons
  • Soda and beer packaging
  • Soap boxes
  • Laundry detergent boxes
Do Not Include
  • Boxes with silver foil linings or coatings
  • Anything dirty or greasy
  • Wax-coated boxes
  • Disposable hot beverage cups

Remember to remove plastic film, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, air pillows, and foam – these go in the trash (or to supermarkets for recycling if marked with a recycling symbol)


Tin, Aluminum

What To Recycle
 
  • Aluminum and tin cans
  • Foil and pie plates
  • Empty steel aerosol cans
Do Not Include
  • Scrap metal
  • Wire clothes hangers
  • Latex paint cans (Bring empty, dried out cans to the City Yard, see directions at the bottom of the HHW page. )
  • Propane tanks 

Glass (All Colors) Rinsed Clean Of Debris

What To Recycle
  • Condiment jars
  • Wine bottles
  • Beer bottles
  • Fruit jars
  • Sauce bottles
  • Vinegar bottles
  • Baby food jars
Do Not Include
  • Corks
  • Broken bottles
  • Cups, dishes, plates
  • Glass windows
  • Pyrex
  • Ceramics
  • Mirrors
  • Light bulbs
  • Crystal

Plastic Containers

What To Recycle
  • Soda and juice bottles
  • Shampoo bottles
  • Window cleaner
  • Milk jugs
  • Detergent, bleach bottles
  • Fabric softener
  • Take-out containers - clear lids, NOT black plastic 
  • Saline solution bottles
Do Not Include
  • Plastic food wrap
  • Black plastic takeout containers
  • Styrofoam®
  • Packing peanuts
  • Foam packaging
  • Automotive fluid bottles (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
  • Disposable hot beverage cups
  • Large rigid plastic items (lawn furniture, children's toys, plant pots, etc.)
  • Plastic bags or film wrap of any kind, even if it has a recycling symbol on it (this includes recyclables IN bags - these will be left at the curb or collected as trash)*

*Plastic shopping bags and clean wrap should be returned to supermarkets or box stores for recycling


Food, Drink Cartons

 
Do Not Include
  • Fruit squeeze cartons or pouches
  • ANY food or drink carton (milk, cream, juice, soup)