WHAT TO RECYCLE?
Acton, MA Bags | What to Throw | What to Recycle | Program Background | FAQs
YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE BAGS FOR RECYCLING!
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.
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.
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
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
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
Open Hours
Tuesday through Saturday from 7am to 3pm
*Please note that from 7am to 8am is reserved for Seniors only.
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