Sofia Martinez
Massachusetts has nine material recovery facilities that accept recyclables for sorting and recycling. Each city and town in Massachusetts has a curbside collection or a drop-off center for recycling, and Boston provides its residents with curbside collection for recycling metal, glass, plastic, and paper. Plastic items that can be recycled in Massachusetts include clean and empty plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic deli/fruit containers. However, plastic bags, wraps, and polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) should not be placed in recycling bins as they can damage equipment. Instead, these items can be recycled at most supermarkets and numerous other retailers at no cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic items that can be recycled | Clean and empty plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, or clear plastic deli/fruit containers |
| Plastic items that cannot be recycled | Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials such as polystyrene foam (Styrofoam), odd-shaped plastics (like toys or plastic furniture), very small items (smaller than a credit card), or flexible/stretchable plastics |
| Other recyclable items | Metal, glass, paper, cardboard |
| Additional notes | Plastic and metal caps and lids should be reattached to empty containers before recycling; cardboard boxes should not be used in place of recycling bins; TV boxes must be cut into smaller pieces and placed in bins or bundled and tied |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and containers
When recycling plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs, it is recommended to reattach plastic or metal caps and lids to the containers before recycling them. This is to prevent loose lids from falling through the cracks during the sorting process and ending up in the trash. However, metal bottle caps that cannot be reattached securely should be thrown away.
In Massachusetts, there is a five-cent deposit on carbonated soft drink, beer, malt beverage, and sparkling water containers. Clean, empty containers can be returned to retailers or redemption centers for a refund. Redemption centers may deduct processing fees from refunds. It is recommended to call ahead to check the hours and policies of redemption centers.
It is important to note that recycling facilities in Massachusetts are designed to sort hard plastic containers. They cannot handle odd-shaped plastics, such as toys or plastic furniture, very small items (smaller than a credit card), or flexible/stretchable plastics like bags, wraps, and pouches. For these items, it is recommended to check the Recyclopedia or the local transfer station for "bulky rigid plastic" bins.
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Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials
If no locations near you accept these plastics for recycling, throw them in the trash. Most supermarkets and numerous other retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling at no cost. Many shipping companies, such as FedEx and UPS, accept loose fill foam "packing peanuts" for reuse.
Businesses that regularly generate a large quantity of polystyrene or polyethylene foam may want to collect this material separately for recycling with a dedicated foam recycler. Requirements for storage and equipment will vary, but the foam should remain clean, dry, and without contamination. Depending on the specifications of the end-site, foam products can be stacked, bagged, bailed, or condensed using a foam densifier.
The MassDEP Beyond the Bin Recycling Directory can help you find nearby drop-off locations for a range of materials.
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Odd-shaped plastics
Recycling facilities in Massachusetts are designed to sort hard plastic containers. They cannot process odd-shaped plastics, such as 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 and end up in the trash.
Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials, such as polystyrene foam (Styrofoam™), should not be placed in your bin. These materials can get tangled in processing equipment at recycling plants, causing damage and worker injuries. Most supermarkets and numerous other retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling at no cost. Many shipping companies accept loose fill foam "packing peanuts" for reuse. Contact a pack-and-ship store near you for details.
If no locations near you accept plastic bags, foam, or wraps for recycling, throw them in the trash. Plastic shopping bags and black or white trash bags cannot be recycled. Heavy-duty clear plastic bags are only allowed in specific neighbourhoods if you do not have enough space.
To keep small objects like plastic utensils and straws out of the recycling stream, it is best not to use them.
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Plastic caps and lids
If you are unable to reattach the lid to its original container, you should check with your local council or community guidelines for advice on how to dispose of the lid. Each city and town in Massachusetts has its own guidelines and restrictions on recycling, so it is important to follow the rules in your local area. You can also refer to the Smart Recycling Guide for advice, as it provides a consistent message to reduce confusion and foster cleaner recycling.
It is important to note that only clean and empty plastic containers can be recycled. This includes plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic deli/fruit containers. There are some exceptions, such as clear plastic cups and egg cartons, so it is always good to check with your local guidelines or the Smart Recycling Guide.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid putting plastic bags, wraps, and flexible packaging in your recycling bin. These items can cause damage and injuries at recycling plants as they can get tangled in the processing equipment. Instead, you can take these items to local supermarkets or retailers that accept them for recycling at no cost.
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Plastic utensils
In general, Massachusetts' nine material recovery facilities are designed to sort hard plastic containers, such as bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs. They cannot handle odd-shaped plastics (e.g., toys or plastic furniture), very small items (smaller than a credit card), or flexible/stretchable plastics like bags, wraps, and pouches.
To recycle plastic items in Massachusetts, ensure they are clean and empty. Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic deli/fruit containers can be recycled. However, clear plastic cups and egg cartons are exceptions and should not be placed in the recycling bin.
Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials like polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) should also be avoided in recycling bins. These materials can cause damage and worker injuries at recycling plants by tangling in processing equipment. Most supermarkets and other retailers accept these items for recycling at no cost.
Additionally, plastic caps and lids should be reattached to their respective containers before recycling.
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Frequently asked questions
Clean and empty plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, and clear plastic deli/fruit containers can be recycled in Massachusetts. Plastic caps and lids should be reattached to empty containers before recycling.
Plastic bags, wraps, and packing materials such as polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) cannot be recycled in Massachusetts. Plastic items that are odd-shaped, very small (smaller than a credit card), or flexible/stretchable like bags, wraps, and pouches cannot be recycled.
Many supermarkets and retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling at no cost. If no locations near you accept these plastics for recycling, throw them in the trash.
Every recycling program in Massachusetts accepts empty and clean metal, glass, paper, and cardboard.
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