cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

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Curbside Recycling

Recycling for Boston residents in households with 1-6 units. Recycle More! Boston residents no longer have to separate paper and cardboard from cans and bottles. Instead, they may mix all recyclable materials together in one large container.

Recycling Options

**NOTE: As of October 7, 2011, we will discontinue taking requests for this calendar year from residents for large blue wheeled recycling carts. All cart requests made prior to October 7th will be delivered by December 1, 2011.

Convert a Trash Can to a Recycling Can
When you recycle more, you’ll have less trash and won’t need as many trash cans. Convert an unneeded can into a recycling can and label it with a City recycling sticker. The can must be no larger than 32 gallons and have a lid. Call 617-635-4500 or use our online form to request a sticker.
Request Recycling Sticker
Use Clear Plastic Bags in Some Neighborhoods
For residents in North End, South End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Fenway, Charlestown, South Boston, East Boston, Roxbury/Dorchester (right hand side of Blue Hill Avenue to Seaver going outbound) and Mission Hill: you can use clear, heavy-duty, 32-gallon plastic bags for your recyclables. Separating redeemable cans and bottles into a separate container is recommended. Look for the City’s official clear recycling bags coming soon to neighborhood retail stores.
Use Small Blue Recycling Bins and Large Recycling Carts
You may continue to use your small blue bin or your large wheeled recycling cart. New or replacement blue bins or carts will no longer be provided by the city.

Cart Requests
Cart requests are planned to resume March 1, 2012; details of a revamped program are currently being worked out. Since the initial city-wide distribution phase has been completed, we are looking at alternatives to continue to provide city residents with access to affordable recycling carts.

Using the Blue Carts

Video Introductions to the Recycling Blue Carts

What? How? Who?

Acceptable Materials for Recycling

Newspaper (with inserts)
Magazines/Catalogues
Junk mail (remove free samples; plastic envelope window is ok)
White & colored paper/brown bags
Telephone books
Flattened food boxes
Paperback books
Milk and juice cartons
Juice/soy milk boxes
Flattened cardboard boxes
Pizza boxes (empty)
Glass bottles/jars. (lids and labels ok)
Tin and aluminum cans, foil, and pie plates (lids and labels ok)
All plastic containers (caps & lid may stay. No motor oil or chemical containers)
NEW! cardboard/spiral cans (potato chip, coffee, nut cans, etc)
NEW! rigid plastics (laundry baskets, buckets, toys, etc)

Unacceptable Materials for Recycling

Styrofoam
plastic bags
motor oil containers
chemical containers
ceramics or dishes
light bulbs
window glass, mirrors
yard waste
food waste
televisions
computer monitors

Neighborhood Newsletters

Newsletter Pilot Programs

Online Services

Request Recycling Stickers

Public Works

City Departments

Waste Reduction E-Newsletter

Receive email updates about curbside recycling, compost bin sales, yard waste collection, hazardous waste drop-offs, and trash regulations.

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Missed Pickup

If your trash or recycling was not picked up, please call the Mayor's Office (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at 617-635-4500 or place an online service request by following the link below.

Report Missed Trash/Recycling/Yard Waste/Bulk Item Pickup

Single Stream Recycling

Mayor Menino announces citywide expansion of the program.

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