Recycling
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get a recycling bin?
If you live in a residence with 6 or less units; i.e. a single-family home, a triple-decker, call the recycling office at 617-635-4959 Monday through Friday from 9:00-5:00 and request a recycling bin. Public Works will deliver a bin to your home within 2 weeks free of charge. If you live in a residence with 7 or more units, your residence is considered a large residential building. Large residential buildings are required to provide recycling. Please have your landlord or property manager call the recycling office for information. See Recycling in Large Buildings. If you live in a building with six or less units you may request a bin via e-mail pwdrecbinreq@cityofboston.gov - What day do I put out my recycling?
You recycle on your trash day. Take your recycling to the curb before 7am on your trash day. If your trash is picked up 2 times per week, your recycling is collected on the first trash day. If your trash is picked up 3 times per week, your recycling is collected on the last day. To find out what day of the week your recycling and trash are collected see Collection Schedule on this site. - Who do I call if my recycling wasn't picked up?
Call the Sanitation Division at 617-635-7574 Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Or, call the Recycling Office at 617-635-4959 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. - What can I recycle?
Public Works collects over 30 different household items for recycling. Please refer to the list under Curbside Recycling - Where do my bottles, cans, and paper that I put out for recycling go?
They are brought to FCR, a recycling processing facility located in Charlestown. The recyclables are sorted and baled. Then they are delivered to product manufacturers for remanufacturing. - Can I recycle if I live in a large apartment building?
Yes. Owners of large residential buildings (7 or more units) are required to provide recycling services. Please call the recycling office at 617-635-4959 to receive recycling. For details, see Recycling in Large Buildings. - When are leaves and yard waste collected?
Public Works collects leaves and yard waste curbside on Saturdays in the spring and fall. Residents can also drop-off their yard waste at four Public Works yards.See details under See Recycling in Large Buildings. Yard Waste Collection. - How can I compost at home?
Buy a backyard compost bin. The Recycling Program sells compost bins at a discount ($25) year-round at the Boston Building Materials Coop, located at 100 Terrace Street in Roxbury (near Roxbury Community College). We also sell kitchen-scrap buckets. Compost bins are on sale at Community Centers in West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Dorchester and Roslindale in the spring and fall. See details under Yard Waste Collection. - Does the City recycle Christmas trees?
Yes. Public Works collects Christmas trees the first 2 full weeks of January on your trash day. Trees must be clean of all decorations and tree stands before they are put on the curb. No plastic bags. The trees are composted at our compost site. - Is wrapping paper recyclable?
Yes. Include gift wrap paper with your paper recycling. - Can I recycle my computer?
Public Works collects computer monitors only for recycling. Please call Sanitation for an appointment at (617) 635-7574 or via e-mail: trashtvcrt@cityofboston.gov. The other computer components are not hazardous and can be given away or put in the trash. - How do I get rid of an old television set?
Public Works collects TVs for recycling. Please call Sanitation for an appointment at (617) 635-7574 or via e-mail: trashtvcrt@cityofboston.gov. - What should I do with my old paint?
If the paint is dried-up or the paint cans are empty, they can go in the regular trash. Otherwise, bring paint to any of our 4 paint recycling centers. Much of the paint residents bring is reusable. Paint in good condition we give away for free. For details see Paint and Motor Oil. - What should I do with my household products that are hazardous?
Boston recycling program operates at a minimum two 1-day drop-offs for household hazardous waste. The drop-offs are in the spring and fall on Saturdays at UMass in Dorchester. We accept household products from residents that are labeled toxic, flammable, corrosive, and poisonous. For details see Hazardous Waste section. - What do I do with my tires, car batteries or propane tanks?
Bring them to the City's Household Hazardous Waste drop-offs. For details see Hazardous Waste section. - What do I do with household batteries?
Household batteries no longer contain mercury; therefore, can be put in the trash. Rechargeable batteries bring to household hazardous waste drop-offs. For details see Hazardous Waste section. - Do my refrigerator, stove, air conditioner get recycled?
Yes, large household appliances are recycled. Please call Sanitation at 617-635-7574 and put them out on your trash day. You may e-mail to schedule a pick-up: trashwg@cityofboston.gov - I have reusable doors, windows, bathroom fixtures etc. Can I recycle these?
If they are in good condition, please donate them to the Boston Materials Resource Center at 617-442-8917. - Where can I recycle plastic bags?
The City does not collect plastic bags for recycling. Many of the major supermarkets recycle plastic bags. - How can I recycle at work?
Visit www.wastecap.org
and look up the Recycling Services Directory. The city services residents only.
- Can I recycle at school?
©2008 The City of Boston