Maya Ellison
Boston offers its residents a single-stream recycling service, meaning all recyclables can go into one bin. The city provides curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. Plastic bags should be recycled at a participating grocery or retail store, and plastic containers with lids should have the lids reattached before recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic containers with lids accepted for recycling in Boston, MA | Plastic drink bottles, milk jugs, yogurt cups, tubs, and shampoo bottles |
| Plastic containers not accepted for recycling in Boston, MA | Plastic bags, plastic wraps, plastic packing materials (e.g. polystyrene foam), black plastics, odd-shaped plastics (e.g. toys), very small items (smaller than a credit card), flexible/stretchable plastics (e.g. bags, wrap, and pouches) |
| General guidelines for plastic recycling in Massachusetts | Containers must be clean, empty, and dry; lids should be reattached to containers; numbers on plastics are not a good indication of recyclability |
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What You'll Learn
Boston's curbside collection accepts metal, glass, plastic, and paper
Boston offers its residents a convenient and straightforward way to recycle their waste through its curbside collection program. Bostonians can recycle a variety of materials, including metal, glass, plastic, and paper, without the hassle of sorting their recyclables. This comprehensive program ensures that a wide range of items can be given a new lease of life, contributing to a greener and more sustainable city.
The city's recycling program is a single-stream service, allowing residents to place all their accepted recyclables in one bin. This simplifies the process for households, making it more accessible and user-friendly. Boston's commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its efforts to make recycling as convenient as possible for its residents.
When it comes to plastic, Boston's recycling program accepts a variety of plastic containers, including bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic fruit or deli containers. It's important to ensure that these containers are clean, empty, and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. Additionally, plastic lids and caps should be reattached to their respective containers before recycling. This is permitted even if the lid and container are made of different materials, such as a metal lid on a plastic bottle.
However, it's important to note that not all plastic items are accepted in Boston's curbside collection. Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials like polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) should not be placed in the recycling bin. These items can cause tangles in the processing equipment at recycling plants, leading to damage and potential injuries. Instead, residents are encouraged to recycle plastic bags and wraps at participating grocery and retail stores, many of which provide bag collection bins for this purpose.
Boston's curbside collection also includes a separate food waste recycling stream. This program, introduced in August 2022, allows residents to recycle food waste and organic materials, which make up a significant portion of household waste. By enrolling in this program, residents receive a starter kit with a kitchen container, compostable liners, and a curbside bin. This initiative not only reduces the city's reliance on landfills and incinerators but also contributes to the creation of clean energy through composting.
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Plastic bags are not recycled in blue bins but can be recycled at some stores
In Boston, Massachusetts, plastic containers with lids are accepted for recycling. This includes plastic tubs and lids, plastic fruit containers, and plastic bottles and jars. However, plastic bags are not recycled in blue bins. Plastic bags can often get tangled in the processing equipment at recycling plants, causing damage and worker injuries. Therefore, plastic bags should be recycled at participating grocery or retail stores, many of which have a bag collection bin in their entry area.
The City of Boston provides clear recycling bags, manufactured and distributed by WasteZero, for all recyclables. However, plastic shopping bags and black or white trash bags are not permitted for recycling. Heavy-duty clear plastic bags are only allowed in certain neighbourhoods if there is insufficient space for a blue wheeled cart. These neighbourhoods include Back Bay/Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, and West End.
It is important to note that all containers intended for recycling must be empty, clean, and dry. Plastic and metal caps and lids should be reattached to their respective containers before recycling. If the lid and container are made of different materials, such as a metal lid on a glass jar, they can still be recycled together. However, loose lids and caps should be thrown away.
To determine which materials can be recycled in the blue bins, residents of Boston can utilise the Trash Day app, which features a waste sorting tool. Additionally, Boston 311 can provide information and assistance regarding recycling regulations and compliance.
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Containers must be clean, empty, and dry
When recycling plastic containers with lids in Boston, Massachusetts, it is important to ensure that the containers are clean, empty, and dry. This is a general requirement for recycling in the city and state.
The City of Boston provides residents with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. All containers must be empty, clean, and dry. This means that any food residue or liquid must be removed before placing the containers in the recycling bin. Containers should also be dried before recycling to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria.
For plastic containers with lids, such as plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, or clear plastic deli/fruit containers, it is important to follow these guidelines to ensure that your recyclables are accepted. In addition, make sure to reattach the lids to the containers before recycling. This is because loose lids can fall off during transportation and cause issues at the recycling facility.
It is worth noting that there are certain exceptions to what can be recycled. For example, plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials such as polystyrene foam should not be placed in your recycling bin. These items can cause tangles in the processing equipment at recycling plants, leading to damage and potential worker injuries. Instead, take these items to a participating grocery or retail store for recycling.
By following these guidelines and ensuring that your containers are clean, empty, and dry, you can do your part in properly recycling plastic containers with lids in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Lids should be reattached to containers before recycling
In Boston, Massachusetts, plastic containers with lids can be recycled. The city provides residents with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. All containers must be empty, clean, and dry.
When it comes to lids, it is recommended that plastic and metal caps and lids should be reattached to empty containers before recycling. This is true for soda and water bottles, milk jugs, juice containers, yogurt tubs, mason jars, and other similar containers. Even if the lid and container are made of different materials, such as a metal lid on a glass jar, the lid should still be reattached. This is because loose lids and caps can be too small to be captured during the sorting process and may fall through the cracks, ending up in the trash.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, metal bottle caps that cannot be securely reattached, such as those on beer or soda bottles, should be disposed of in the trash. For metal can lids, it is suggested to leave a small portion of the lid attached and bend it into the can, or place it inside the can and pinch it.
Additionally, it is important to note that plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials like polystyrene foam should not be placed in the recycling bin. These items can cause damage to the processing equipment at recycling plants. Instead, they can be recycled at participating grocery and retail stores, which often have bag collection bins at their entrances.
To ensure proper recycling practices, it is recommended to refer to the Recyclopedia search tool or contact local recycling staff for specific guidelines in your community.
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Black plastics cannot be recycled
In Boston, Massachusetts, residents are provided with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. However, black plastics cannot be recycled and should be placed in the trash. This is because black plastics cannot be identified by recycling equipment due to their dark color.
Black plastics, including takeout trays, are often colored with carbon black, a group of industrial carbons created by the partial combustion of various hydrocarbons. Carbon black is cheap to produce and has excellent color strength, hiding power, solvent resistance, and ultraviolet stability. While black plastics may be convenient for food packaging and consumer goods, their dark color poses challenges for recycling processes.
The recycling of black plastics is hampered by the lack of suitable technology to sort this material efficiently. Current recycling technology relies on spectral signatures derived from near infra-red (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy to identify different types of plastics. However, the dark color of black plastics makes it difficult for the equipment to detect and sort them effectively.
As a result, black plastics often end up in the trash or contribute to environmental pollution if not disposed of properly. To reduce the impact on the environment, it is recommended to avoid using black plastics whenever possible. Instead, opt for reusable containers or serviceware made from recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials. Additionally, when recycling other types of plastics, ensure that they are empty, clean, and dry, and reattach any lids before placing them in the recycling bin.
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Frequently asked questions
Boston provides residents with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. All containers must be empty, clean, and dry. Plastic bags should be recycled at a participating grocery or retail store. Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, or clear plastic deli/fruit containers can be recycled in Massachusetts.
Plastic and metal caps and lids should be reattached to empty containers before recycling. This is true even if the lid and container are different types of material.
Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials such as polystyrene foam cannot be recycled in your bin. Plastic bags can be recycled at most supermarkets and retailers. Black plastics cannot be recycled as they cannot be identified by recycling equipment.
