Sofia Martinez
Massachusetts has a number of recycling programs in place to help residents recycle their waste. The state's nine material recovery facilities sort and recycle the majority of the state's recyclables. Each town and city in Massachusetts provides curbside collection or a drop-off center for recycling. However, the specific rules for recycling vary by municipality. For example, Boston provides its residents with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper, all in one bin. However, plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials such as polystyrene foam are not accepted in recycling bins in Boston and should be recycled at participating grocery or retail stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Should not be put in the recycling bin but can be recycled at participating grocery and retail stores. Heavy-duty clear plastic bags are only allowed in specific neighborhoods. |
| Plastic wraps | Should not be put in the recycling bin but can be recycled at no cost at most supermarkets and numerous other retailers. |
| Plastic bottles | Can be recycled in Massachusetts as long as they are clean and empty. |
| Plastic containers | Can be recycled in Massachusetts as long as they are clean and empty. |
| Plastic cups | Cannot be recycled in Massachusetts. |
| Plastic tubs | Can be recycled in Massachusetts as long as they are clean and empty. |
| Plastic lids | Should be reattached to empty containers before recycling. |
| Plastic toys | Cannot be recycled at recovery facilities. |
| Plastic furniture | Cannot be recycled at recovery facilities. |
| Small plastic items | Items smaller than a credit card should not be put in the recycling bin. |
| Flexible/stretchable plastics | Cannot be recycled at recovery facilities. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials
In Boston, plastic shopping bags and black or white trash bags cannot be recycled. Heavy-duty clear plastic bags are only allowed in certain neighborhoods, including Back Bay/Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Fenway, Mission Hill, the North End, Roxbury, South Boston, the South End, and the West End.
Recycling facilities in Massachusetts 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.
If you're not sure whether something belongs in your bin, you can search the Recyclopedia or visit RecycleSmartMA.org.
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Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs
Recycling facilities are designed to sort 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. Plastic bags, wraps, and polystyrene foam (Styrofoam™) should not be placed in your recycling bin as they can get tangled in processing equipment, causing damage and worker injuries. Most supermarkets and numerous other retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling at no cost.
If no locations near you accept plastic bags, foam, or wraps for recycling, throw them in the trash. Many other items that you may think belong in your recycling bin don't, and including them can do more harm than good.
In Massachusetts, there is a five-cent deposit on carbonated soft drink, beer, malt beverage, and sparkling water containers. You may return clean, empty containers to retailers that sell them, or to redemption centers. State law (the "Bottle Bill") requires retailers to redeem containers at full deposit value. It allows redemption centers to deduct processing fees from refunds.
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Hazardous household waste
Massachusetts has a comprehensive recycling program that accepts a wide range of materials, including plastics. However, it is important to note that not all plastic items can be recycled through the regular curbside collection or drop-off centers. Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials like polystyrene foam (Styrofoam™) should be kept out of recycling bins as they can cause damage and worker injuries at recycling plants. Instead, these items can be recycled at most supermarkets and other retailers at no cost.
Now, when it comes to Hazardous Household Waste (HHW), special care is required for disposal to prevent harm to humans, animals, and the environment. HHW products are defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as those that can "catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic." Common examples include paint cans and brushes, batteries, household cleaners, pesticides, fluorescent lightbulbs, thermostats, thermometers, and prescription medications. Some electronic items such as computer monitors, cell phones, microwave ovens, and printers may also contain hazardous materials like heavy metals (lead, copper, chromium, and cadmium) and should be handled with care.
In Massachusetts, proper disposal of HHW is crucial to protect the health and safety of its citizens and the environment. Here are some guidelines for managing HHW in the state:
- Collection Days and Centers: Almost every city and town in Massachusetts holds HHW collection days or has designated drop-off centers. Residents can contact their local recycling or solid waste coordinator, check the community's website, or refer to the alphabetical listing of municipal recycling links on the Mass.gov website to find specific information about collection sites, days, and hours.
- Safe Storage: HHW products can typically be stored safely in a garage or shed until it is time for the collection or drop-off.
- Product Labels: It is important to follow the disposal requirements provided on the product labels of HHW items. These instructions are designed to ensure the safe handling and disposal of the product to protect human health, animals, and the environment.
- Alternative Disposal Options: If your city or town does not offer an HHW collection day or a drop-off site, there are still options available. Massachusetts has several facilities approved by the MassDEP that accept common household items containing toxic chemicals. Additionally, some retailers and manufacturers may accept specific items for recycling, such as clothing, shoes, computers, smartphones, TVs, and other electronics, often at no charge.
- Reducing HHW Usage: One of the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of HHW is to reduce the use of these products. Many household cleaners, for example, can be replaced with homemade alternatives made from safe ingredients like lemon juice and baking soda.
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Plastic caps and lids
Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials such as polystyrene foam (Styrofoam™) should not be placed in recycling bins. They can cause damage and worker injuries by getting tangled in processing equipment at recycling plants. Most supermarkets and other retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling at no cost, and many shipping companies accept loose fill foam "packing peanuts" for reuse.
In Boston, plastic shopping bags and trash bags cannot be recycled. Heavy-duty clear plastic bags are only allowed in certain neighborhoods, including Back Bay/Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Fenway, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and the West End.
When it comes to plastic containers, clean and empty plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, or clear plastic deli/fruit containers can be recycled in Massachusetts. However, there are exceptions, such as clear plastic cups and egg cartons. It is recommended to focus on the shape rather than the numbers or codes on the plastics. Odd-shaped plastics like toys or plastic furniture, very small items (smaller than a credit card), and flexible/stretchable plastics cannot be recycled.
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Plastic bags at grocery stores
In Massachusetts, plastic bags do not belong in your recycling bin and should be avoided. They can cause damage and worker injuries by getting tangled in processing equipment at recycling plants. Most supermarkets and other retailers accept plastic bags for recycling at no cost. However, if no locations near you accept plastic bags for recycling, they should be thrown in the trash.
In recent news, California has passed a law banning all plastic bags at grocery stores starting in 2026. This includes all plastic shopping bags, regardless of their thickness. The new measure, approved by state legislators, aims to address the plastic waste problem and protect the environment from plastic pollution. Previously, when California banned plastic grocery bags in 2014, a loophole allowed shoppers to purchase thicker plastic bags, which were often not reused or recycled.
The updated ban in California ensures that the choice at grocery store checkout lanes will no longer be between "Paper" or "Plastic" but rather "I brought my own," "Paper," or "No, thanks." This change aligns with the efforts of other states and cities across the nation that have implemented similar plastic bag bans to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis.
It is worth noting that Massachusetts has not explicitly mentioned a ban on plastic bags at grocery stores, and their recycling guidelines focus on proper disposal and recycling methods for plastic bags through supermarkets and retailers.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic fruit or deli containers can be recycled in Massachusetts. However, plastic bags, plastic wraps, and packing materials like polystyrene foam cannot be recycled in your bin. These can be recycled at most supermarkets and other retailers at no cost.
Plastic bags cannot be recycled in your bin. Many supermarkets and other retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling at no cost.
No, plastic cups and egg cartons are exceptions and cannot be recycled in Massachusetts.
Recovery facilities are designed to sort plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs. They cannot handle odd-shaped plastics like toys or plastic furniture. If an item is two inches or smaller in diameter, it should not be recycled as it will slip through the cracks at a sorting facility.
In the Northeast, nearly 100% of plastics are sold to U.S. companies. At a transfer station, you may help sort different plastics. These materials have a higher value and may be sold directly to mills or end-users.
