Boston

Recycling Guidelines

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

PLASTIC

Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5. Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers.

  • All containers (#1-#7) including food, soda, water bottles, and jars
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  • Aluminum and tin cans
  • Spiral cans (this include potato chips and coffee cans)

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Newspaper
  • Magazines
  • Catalogs
  • White and colored paper
  • Books (Paperback and telephone books)
  • Flattened cardboard boxes (no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet; must be bundled and tied)
  • Paper bags, egg cartons, rolls

Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality

Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls

GLASS

Look for glass food jars and drink bottles

  • Jars and bottles
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.

When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!

What can NOT be recycled

  • Plastic bags
    • Plastic grocery and plastic garbage bags cannot be recycled, and should not be put in your recycling bins
    • You can return clean plastic bags to a participating retailer for recycling
  • Electronics
  • Drink & Food boxes
    • Juice, milk, and frozen food boxes
  • Medical waste
  • Plastic wrap
    • This include film and tarps
  • Tanglers
    • No hoses, wires, or chains
  • Single-use items
    • Styrofoam, napkins, paper towels, tissues, straws, and coffee pods
  • Containers for chemicals and motor oil
    • The city provides household waste drop-off days (which happens four times a year)
  • Ceramics
  • Windows
  • Mirrors

Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.

  • The City of Boston provides mixed curbside recycling to residents in building with seven or more units
  • Property Managers oversee purchasing recycling containers (Carts that range in size from 64 to 96 gallons)
  • The city provides Yard Waste Collection
  • It also offers a recycling search bar which you can access below:
    https://www.boston.gov/trash-and-recycling-day-schedule-and-search#!rc-cpage=wizard_material_list
  • It also offers a trash and recycling app available on Google Play and App Store. The city also determines the collection schedule via the app:
    https://www.boston.gov/trash-and-recycling-day-schedule-and-search
  • Communities are required to provide residents access to the recycling programs and services offered by the City of Boston (they also must provide the containers)
  • Each community is assigned a recycling coordinator to whom they report all issues and inquiries.
  • The community must have its signage approved by the city before implementing its recycling services.
  • According to the city, the definition of a recycling cart means: “Any container ranging in size from thirty to ninety gallons that are composed of weatherproof materials such as plastic or metal and is clearly marked and/or identifiable as a container for recyclables (they are referred as “Toters”)
  • The recycling cart shall only be used for the containment and collection of recyclables
  • According to Bill H.234 (which you can find in this city’s glossary), a multifamily residence is a building and complex made up of four individual units
  • That same bill states that owners or operators of multifamily communities that are not served by municipal recycling programs shall establish and maintain a recycling program.
  • This program needs to include the following:
    • The separation, collection, and processing of recyclable materials and,
    • Provide information about programs for collection and recycling of hazardous waste (lead-acid batteries, mercury-added product, tires, white goods, devices containing cathode ray tubes, yard wastes, and other materials) as directed by the city’s recycling department
  • Property owners/managers are required to provide residents with recycling containers
  • Must provide education about the recycling services provided and the knowledge of how and where to dispose of hazardous waste (which can be found on the City of Boston recycling department page)- Please refer to the city glossary

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

Public Works 1 City Hall Square Room 714 Boston, MA 02201-2024
Phone: 617-635-4900 To report an issue, call 311 Email: [email protected]gov

This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"