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. The City will be delivering large wheeled recycling carts to residences with one to six units. Carts will be delivered neighborhood by neighborhood between June 2009 and June 2010.

You will receive notification shortly before your cart is delivered. You should place your address on your cart; the cart will not be replaced. If you move, please leave the cart behind for the next resident.

Other Recycling Options

While you are waiting for a cart, or if your cart isn't the right size for your household, you can

Convert a Trash Can Into a Recycling Container. When you recycle more, you'll have less trash and won't need as many trash cans. Convert an unneeded can into a recycling container. The can must be no larger than 32 gallons and have a lid. Call 617-635-4500 to request a sticker to label this container for recycling.

Use a Small Blue Recycling Bin. You may continue to use your small blue bin. New or replacement blue bins, however, will no longer be provided by the City. 

• 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) 

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

Collection Delays: If your trash collection is delayed one day, your recycling will also be delayed one day.

If your recycling wasn't picked up: Call the Mayor's hotline at 617-635-4500.

Citywide Newsletters
Mayor's RecycleMore Big-Cart Update

North End
North End Newsletter, Spring 2008 »

South End (pilot program, began September 2007)
Press Release: City Expands "Recycle More" Pilot Program to the South End »
South End Pilot Description »
South End Newsletter, November/December 2007 »
South End Newsletter, Spring 2008 »

Select section of Jamaica Plain & Roslindale (pilot program, began May 2007)
Press Release: City Begins "Recycle More" Pilot Program »
Recycle More Newsletter, June 2007 »
Recycle More Newsletter, July 2007 »
Recycle More Newsletter, August/September 2007 »
Recycle More Newsletter, February 2008 »