
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"




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Plastic Bottles and Containers (empty containers with lids and caps ON)
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Plastic Soda, Water & Drink Bottles
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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:
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No plastic bags or plastic utensils
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No Styrofoam (Use separate collection bin)
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No motor oil containers
Glass Bottles & Jars
"commingled"




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Glass bottles and jars (empty containers with caps OFF)
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All glass colors
Please do not include:
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No windows or mirrors
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No light bulbs
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No dishes, ceramics, or Pyrex
Metal Cans & Aluminum
"commingled"




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Metal cans and Aluminum (empty containers)
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Steel, tin, and aluminum cans
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Clean aluminum pie plates, trays, and foil
Please do not include:
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No chains, wires or hangers
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No aerosol cans
Paper & Cardboard




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Magazines & Catalogs
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All newspapers & inserts
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Paperboard (cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, etc.) & paper bags
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Cardboard – please flatten
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Pizza boxes – remove food and greasy sections
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Hard & soft cover books
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Office paper, Junk mail (Staples, paperclips, spirals, & plastic envelope windows are OK)
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Gift wrap
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Clean paper plates (no grease or food waste)
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paper egg cartons
Please do not include:
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No recyclables with food waste
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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:
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Yard waste
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Scrap Metal
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Rigid plastics (such as plastic sleds and rigid wading pools)
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Styrofoam packing material
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no food containers because of contamination
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please bag Styrofoam peanuts so they don’t blow away
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Fluorescent light bulbs
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E-waste (computers, printers, scanners)
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Clothing and textile donations
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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)
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Concrete, bricks, cement
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Used motor oil
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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