Your guide to recycling in Boston

We can all do our part to reduce, reuse, and recycle more.

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All plastic bottles can be recycled in Boston.

Image via Pexels

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Recycling can be confusing. In honor of America Recycles Day, we decided to break down the details so you can make sure you’re recycling correctly in Boston.

Why is this important?

The city’s Climate Action Plan is working to have Boston become carbon neutral by 2050, and part of that plan is moving toward a Zero Waste Boston. Did you know that in 2021, households threw out an average of 2,250 pounds of trash? According to the Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection, that’s an average of ~43 pounds a week.

To help curb this, the city provides residents with curbside collection for recycling of metal, glass, plastic, and paper. The good news is, there is no need to sort the recyclables. All items can be added in one bin, aka a single stream service. Check your trash schedule to know when scheduled pickup is for your neighborhood.

If you have a question about if you should recycle something or not, use this tool to ensure you’re recycling right. Here are the basics to keep in mind and a quick list of what shouldn’t go in your recycling bin: