
WHAT TO RECYCLE?
You can put all of your recycling in the clear recycling bag. Here are lists of whats acceptable and what is not.
PLEASE RECYCLE:
Boston, MA Bags | What to Recycle? | Program Background | FAQs
Plastic Bottles, Jars, Jugs, & Tubs




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Plastic Bottles and Containers (clean & 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) -
Rigid plastics (laundry baskets, buckets, toys)
Please do not include:
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No plastic bags or plastic utensils
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No Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
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No motor oil or chemical containers
Glass Bottles & Jars




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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, mirrors, or auto glass
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No light bulbs
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No dishes, ceramics, or Pyrex
Metal Cans & Aluminum




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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
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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Office paper, Junk mail (Staples, paperclips, spirals, & plastic envelope windows are OK)
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Soft cover books
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Phone books
Please do not include:
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No recyclables with food waste
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No napkins, paper towels, tissues
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No waxed-, foil, or plastic- coated paper

Wondering if something is recyclable? See the City of Boston A-Z directory
Why is recycling important?
Recycling benefits Boston both economically and environmentally.
Economically
For every ton of bottles, cans, and plastic containers that residents recycle (rather than throw away in the trash), the City saves $80. That means that a 1% change in the City’s recycling rate would save more than $200,000 each year.
Your efforts in the Recycle More program help the City reduce its costs, preserve services, and make important investments in our neighborhoods.
Environmentally
Recycling helps conserve the planet’s natural resources, including oil, water, trees, air, and minerals.
More Information
For more information, please contact the City of Boston Department of Public Works.
CONTACT >
Department of Public Works
1 City Hall Square, Room 714
Boston, MA 02201
617-635-7573
City Hall hotline: 617-635-4500
https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/recycling-boston