Boston Recycling

Recycle More... Trash Less

Boston uses a single-stream recycling system. This means accepted paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastic recyclables can be placed together in one recycling container. Recyclables should be loose, clean, and dry.

Boston provides curbside recycling collection for residents in buildings with six units or fewer. Eligible residents can use the City's recycling carts or an approved recycling container.

Recycling rules and accepted materials can change, so check the City of Boston's current recycling guidelines before putting an item in your recycling bin.

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Other Recycling Options

If you do not have a City recycling cart, or need additional recycling capacity, Boston provides several options.

Use an Approved Recycling Container

Residents may use an approved recycling container in addition to the City's recycling cart. Recycling containers should be clearly identified and suitable for curbside collection.

To request a recycling cart or learn about current container requirements, visit the City of Boston recycling page .

Items Accepted for Recycling

Boston's single-stream recycling program allows many common household recyclables to be mixed together in the blue recycling bin. Everything should be clean and dry.

Cardboard and Paper

• Shipping boxes
• Cereal and other food boxes
• Egg cartons
• Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
• Office paper
• Newspapers
• Paper bags
• Magazines
• Junk mail

Flatten cardboard boxes before placing them in the recycling bin. Large cardboard that does not fit in the bin should be flattened, bundled, and tied according to the City's current requirements. Cardboard should not contain Styrofoam or plastic.

Plastic

• Plastic bottles
• Plastic jugs
• Plastic tubs
• Plastic lids
• Plastic drink containers
• Milk jugs
• Yogurt containers and tubs
• Shampoo bottles

Glass

• Glass bottles
• Glass jars

Metal

• Aluminum cans
• Steel and tin cans
• Other accepted metal containers

Labels and small staples or envelope windows generally do not need to be removed from paper. Make sure containers are empty and reasonably clean before recycling.

Items That Do NOT Belong in the Recycling Bin

Not everything made of plastic, paper, glass, or metal is recyclable. Putting the wrong materials in the recycling bin can contaminate an otherwise usable load.

• Plastic bags and plastic film
• Styrofoam
• Food-contaminated materials
• Batteries
• Electronics
• Hazardous chemicals
• Clothing and textiles
• Yard waste
• Items that are not accepted by Boston's recycling program

When you are unsure where an item belongs, use the City's recycling search and recycling guide rather than guessing.

Leaf and Yard Waste Collection

Boston provides seasonal curbside collection for leaves and yard waste. Place leaves and yard debris in large paper bags or open barrels labeled YARD WASTE with a City-issued sticker.

• Place yard waste at the curb by 6:00 AM.
• Branches must be no more than 3 feet long and 1 inch thick.
• Tie branches securely with string.
• Bamboo is accepted when cut and bundled according to City requirements.
• Do not use plastic bags for yard waste.
• Do not use City recycling bins for yard waste.
• Dirt and mulch are not accepted with curbside yard waste.

Yard waste is collected on the same day as your trash collection. If you have two trash collection days each week, yard waste is collected on the first collection day of the week.

Click here for the current Boston leaf and yard waste schedule.

Food Waste and Composting

Boston's food-waste programs provide residents with another way to keep organic material out of the trash. The current curbside food waste program accepts many types of food scraps and other approved organic materials.

What Can Go in the Food-Waste Bin?

• All food items, including meat, bones, and dairy
• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Non-synthetic tea bags
• Napkins and paper towels without chemicals or cleaners
• Wax and parchment paper
• Houseplants and flowers
• Pet food
• Approved ash from stoves, grills, and fireplaces

Food-waste programs can have different accepted-material lists, depending on the program or collection location. Check the current guidelines before disposing of food waste.

Learn more about Boston's food-waste collection program.

Clothing and Textile Recycling

Clothing and textiles should not automatically go into the trash. Boston provides textile recovery options, including drop-off bins, Zero Waste Days, and curbside textile collection.

Accepted items include many types of clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, curtains, bags, accessories, and other textiles. Items should generally be clean, dry, and odorless and kept in a closed plastic bag.

Learn more about Boston clothing and textile recycling.

Household Hazardous Waste

Some household products should never be placed in your recycling bin or regular trash. Boston provides Zero Waste Days and Zero Waste Pop-Ups for the safe disposal of certain household hazardous materials and other restricted waste.

Depending on the event, accepted materials may include:

• Oil-based paint
• Motor oil
• Gasoline and certain automotive fluids
• Pesticides
• Pool chemicals
• Household chemicals
• Rechargeable batteries
• Lithium batteries
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Mercury-containing items
• Other hazardous household materials

Zero Waste events are for Boston residents only. You must provide proof of Boston residency, such as a photo ID, utility bill, or lease. The City may reject materials that do not meet its requirements.

Important: Accepted materials and event dates can change. Check the City's current schedule and accepted-material list before bringing hazardous materials to an event.

Click here for Boston Zero Waste Day information, schedules, accepted materials, and locations.

TVs, Computers and Other Electronics

Electronics should not simply be placed in your recycling bin. Boston provides options for certain electronics through scheduled collection and Zero Waste programs.

Special-item collection may include items such as televisions, laptops, computer monitors, refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and other qualifying appliances.

Check Boston's current special-item collection and disposal information.

Electronics, Appliances and Fitness Equipment Recycling at Best Buy

Best Buy offers recycling services for many electronics and appliances at participating stores. Most stores accept up to three qualifying items per household per day, although limits, fees, and accepted products can vary by item and state.

Check Best Buy's current recycling requirements before making a trip.

Visit Best Buy for current recycling information.

Where Do I Put It?

Different types of household waste belong in different collection programs. This quick guide can help:

Item	Disposal Option
Paper and cardboard	Blue recycling bin
Glass bottles and jars	Blue recycling bin
Metal cans	Blue recycling bin
Plastic bottles, jugs and tubs	Blue recycling bin
Food scraps	Food-waste collection or approved composting program
Leaves and branches	Seasonal yard-waste collection
Clothing and textiles	Textile drop-off or curbside textile collection
Hazardous chemicals	Zero Waste Day or approved disposal program
Electronics	Special-item collection, Zero Waste event, or approved recycler
Large appliances	Scheduled special-item collection or approved recycler

Check Your Collection Schedule

Collection schedules vary by address. Boston residents can use the City's trash and recycling schedule tools to find their collection day and learn about current programs.

Check Boston's current Trash and Recycling information.

Boston Recycling Information Can Change

Recycling, food-waste, yard-waste, hazardous-waste, and special-item collection rules can change over time. This page is provided as a public service by BostonApartments.com to help Boston residents find useful recycling and waste-disposal information.

Always check the official City of Boston guidelines for the most current accepted materials, collection schedules, event dates, disposal requirements, and program eligibility.

Official City of Boston Recycling Information