Sofia Martinez
Boston provides its residents with a convenient curbside collection service for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. However, it is unclear whether the city recycles plastic number 5, commonly used for yogurt containers and syrup bottles. While Massachusetts has made significant progress in recycling, with most towns and cities offering curbside pickup or drop-off centres, the focus seems to be on paper, glass, and certain types of plastic, such as plastic bags and containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recycling in Boston | Boston provides residents with curbside collection for recycling plastic |
| Plastic types | Plastic bottles, milk jugs, yogurt cups, tubs, lids, shampoo bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, clear plastic deli/fruit containers |
| Plastic bags | Plastic bags should be recycled at a film plastic collection site or put in the trash. Many supermarkets and other retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling |
| Plastic caps and lids | Plastic caps and lids should be reattached to empty containers before recycling |
| Plastic recycling in Massachusetts | Plastic recycling is commonplace in eastern Massachusetts, with curbside pickup of household recyclables in most communities |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags are not allowed in blue recycling bins
- Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic containers can be recycled
- Plastic bags can be recycled at some supermarkets and retailers
- Boston provides residents with curbside collection for recycling
- Plastic bags can be recycled at film plastic collection sites
Plastic bags are not allowed in blue recycling bins
The city of Boston provides its residents with a single-stream recycling service, meaning that metal, glass, plastic, and paper can be placed in the same bin for curbside collection. However, it is important to check which specific plastics are accepted by the recycling program before placing them in the blue bin.
Plastic bags, in particular, are not allowed in blue recycling bins in Boston. Plastic bags can cause damage to recycling equipment and are therefore not accepted in recycling bins. Instead, plastic bags can often be returned to local grocery stores or retail stores for recycling. Many stores have a bag collection bin in their entry area. If no locations nearby accept plastic bags for recycling, they should be placed in the trash.
In addition to plastic bags, there are several other items that should be kept out of the blue recycling bins in Boston. These include waxy coatings, books, Pyrex, ceramics, window glass, and scrap metal. Broken glass items should be placed in the trash, while unbroken items can be donated. Books can also be donated, and scrap metal can be taken to a scrap yard.
It is important to ensure that all items placed in the blue recycling bins are clean and dry. Bottles can be squished to save room in the bin, and caps should be put back on to prevent them from slipping through cracks in the sorting equipment. Cardboard that does not fit in the bin should be flattened, bundled, and tied with string.
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Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic containers can be recycled
However, it is important to ensure that all items are clean, empty, and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. Additionally, plastic bags should be kept out of the blue recycling cart and instead brought to a film plastic collection site or a participating grocery or retail store for recycling.
To save space in the bin, it is recommended to squish plastic bottles and put the caps back on to prevent them from slipping through cracks in the equipment. Heavy-duty clear plastic bags are permitted only if there is insufficient space in specific neighborhoods, including Back Bay/Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Fenway, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, and West End.
When in doubt about whether an item is recyclable, Boston residents can refer to resources such as the Recyclopedia search tool, the Recycle Smart MA initiative, or the city's website for detailed information on acceptable materials and proper recycling practices.
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Plastic bags can be recycled at some supermarkets and retailers
Boston provides its residents with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. However, plastic bags are not accepted in these curbside recycling bins. This is because plastic bags can wreak havoc on the recycling machines, bending and getting snagged in belts, and jamming machinery.
Before recycling plastic bags, ensure that they are clean and dry, and free of stickers, staples, crumbs, and receipts. Keep a bag collection bin in your house, such as one big garbage bag for all bags. Since they compact easily, you should be able to fit 50 to 100 plastic bags in one garbage bag.
If no locations near you accept plastic bags for recycling, throw them in the trash.
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Boston provides residents with curbside collection for recycling
Boston provides its residents with a convenient and straightforward system for recycling a wide range of materials through its curbside collection service. This service simplifies the recycling process, allowing residents to place all their recyclables in a single bin for collection.
The city accepts a variety of items for recycling, including metal, glass, plastic, and paper. Residents are advised to separate their recyclables from their regular trash and place them in the blue bin provided by the city. This bin has a capacity of 64 gallons and is supplied to residents of buildings with six units or fewer. For those with smaller containers, a recycling sticker from Boston 311 can be used to designate a container of 32 gallons or less as a recycling bin.
It is important to note that not all types of plastic are accepted for curbside recycling. Plastic bags, for example, should be kept out of the blue recycling bins and instead brought to a film plastic collection site or a participating grocery or retail store for recycling. Plastic bottles, on the other hand, are widely accepted for recycling and can be identified by the numerical coding system on the bottom. Residents are advised to keep all recyclables clean and dry, and to squish bottles to save space in the bin.
Boston's curbside collection service plays a vital role in promoting sustainability and environmental conservation. By providing a convenient way to recycle, the city encourages residents to reduce, reuse, and recycle their waste, contributing to a greener and more eco-friendly community.
To ensure a smooth recycling process, residents are encouraged to check their collection schedule through the Trash Day App and to only place accepted items in the blue bins. By following these guidelines, Boston residents can play an active role in enhancing the environment, boosting the economy, and saving their community money through responsible recycling practices.
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Plastic bags can be recycled at film plastic collection sites
Plastic bags are a common source of contamination in recycling streams. In Boston, plastic bags cannot be placed into the single-stream recycling bins for curbside collection. This is because they can get caught in the machinery at recycling sorting facilities, causing damage and posing a safety hazard to workers.
However, plastic bags can be recycled at film plastic collection sites. Plastic bags are made of plastic film, a soft and flexible polyethylene material also used in bubble wrap, zip-top bags, and dry-cleaning bags. Many grocery stores accept plastic bags at drop-off locations in their stores. The Plastic Film Recycling website provides a directory of drop-off locations and information on what materials can be recycled.
In addition to grocery stores, many other retailers accept plastic bags for recycling at no cost. For example, in 2018, Tufts University partnered with Trex to provide plastic film specialty recycling bins on campus. Trex recycles plastic film into wooden products such as decks and benches.
It is important to ensure that any plastic bags being recycled are clean and dry. If a drop-off location is not accessible, plastic bags should be thrown in the trash.
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Frequently asked questions
Boston provides residents with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. Plastic drink bottles, milk jugs, yogurt cups, tubs, lids, and shampoo bottles can be recycled. Plastic bags should be recycled at a participating grocery or retail store.
You can use the Recyclopedia search tool to determine if an item is recyclable.
Recycling facilities are designed to sort hard plastic containers. They cannot handle odd-shaped plastics (like toys or plastic furniture), very small items (smaller than a credit card), or flexible/stretchable plastics – like bags, wrap, and pouches.
