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WHAT TO RECYCLE?

Acton, MA    Bags What to Throw  |  What to Recycle  |  Program Background  |  FAQs

YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE BAGS FOR RECYCLING!

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There is no extra charge for recycling at Acton's Transfer Station. Remember, the more you recycle, the more you can save on the cost of trash disposal.  A complete guide to recycling at the Acton Recycling Center can be found here.

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Check out the Swap Shop at the Transfer Station to give away or adopt gently used items! Swap Shop guidelines can be found here.

 

 

 

Please note: You should not use the blue bags or any plastic bags for recyclables.

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Below are common items accepted for recycling at the Transfer Station, please separate bottles & cans ("commingled") from paper & cardboard:

Plastic Bottles, Jars, Jugs, & Tubs
"commingled"

_Plastic_Bottles.jpg
  • Plastic Bottles and Containers (empty containers with lids and caps ON)

  • Plastic Soda, Water & Drink Bottles

  • Plastic Food & Household Bottles/Jars
    (screw top bottles and jars, ex. ketchup, mayonnaise, detergent, shampoo)

  • Plastic Tubs & Lids
    (ex. yogurt, margarine, cottage cheese)

  • Plastic Produce, Deli & Bakery Containers, Cups, Trays
    (take-out containers, berries/produce containers)

  • Clean Plant pots OK

Please do not include:

  • No plastic bags or plastic utensils

 

  • No Styrofoam (Use separate collection bin)

 

  • No motor oil containers

Glass Bottles & Jars
"commingled"

10_General_Glass_72ppi_edited.jpg
  • Glass bottles and jars (empty containers with caps OFF)

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  • All glass colors

 

Please do not include:

  • No windows or mirrors

 

  • No light bulbs

 

  • No dishes, ceramics, or Pyrex

Metal Cans & Aluminum
"commingled"

19-Tin_or_Steel_Cans_72ppi.jpg
  • Metal cans and Aluminum (empty containers)

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  • Steel, tin, and aluminum cans

 

  • Clean aluminum pie plates, trays, and foil

Please do not include:

  • No chains, wires or hangers

 

  • No aerosol cans

Paper & Cardboard

paper and cardboard.png
  • Magazines & Catalogs

  • All newspapers & inserts

  • Paperboard (cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, etc.) & paper bags

  • Cardboard – please flatten

  • Pizza boxes – remove food and greasy sections

  • Hard & soft cover books

  • Office paper, Junk mail (Staples, paperclips, spirals, & plastic envelope windows are OK)

  • Gift wrap

  • Clean paper plates (no grease or food waste)

  • paper egg cartons

Please do not include:

  • No recyclables with food waste

 

  • No napkins, paper towels, or tissues

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  • No shredded paper

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The following materials are also accepted for free recycling – look for the designated areas at the Transfer Station:

  • Yard waste

  • Scrap Metal

  • Rigid plastics (such as plastic sleds and rigid wading pools)

  • Styrofoam packing material

    • no food containers because of contamination

    • please bag Styrofoam peanuts so they don’t blow away

  • Fluorescent light bulbs

  • E-waste (computers, printers, scanners)

  • Clothing and textile donations

  • Clean wood can be added to yard waste for chipping into mulch (clean wood only – no metal, no paint or stain, no plywood, no pressure-treated wood, 4-foot length max)

  • Concrete, bricks, cement

  • Used motor oil

  • Used antifreeze

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Finally, a number of materials are handled at the Transfer Station for a modest “bulky items” coupon fee. This includes computer monitors, televisions, refrigerators, small propane tanks and a variety of other items – information on the “bulky items” coupon fees can be found here.

More Information

For more information, please contact the Acton Transfer Station and Recycling Center

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Open Hours

Tuesday through Saturday from 7am to 3pm

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*Please note that from 7am to 8am is reserved for Seniors only.

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The Center is closed on Public Holidays

CONTACT >

Town of Acton

Transfer Station & Recycling Center
195 Massachusetts Ave
Acton, MA 01720
978-929-7742
www.acton-ma.gov

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