City

Let’s talk trash: Our tips for recycling in Boston

A tree of pink cherry blossoms in bloom in a landscaped box on a sidewalk. The tree hovers over a street where two people are walking, and covers the sun that can be seen shining through the branches.

Let’s keep this beautiful city of ours clean. | Photo by @juansurface

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:

Plastic bags — The City of Boston has had a ban on single-use plastic bags for retailers since December 2018.
Clothing and textiles — Donate them at a local clothing drive, bring them to a drop box + reuse store, or sign up for a curbside pickup.
Food waste — Sign up for the city’s compost program.
Scrap metal — Find your closest local scrap metal recycling location, like A Street Metal + Second Street Iron and Metal.
Electronics and batteries — Bring your batteries and unwanted or broken electronics to a Household Hazardous Waste Day.

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Tuesday, Nov. 15

Alan Walker | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 8 p.m. | House of Blues, 15 Landsdowne St., Boston | $39.50-$59.50 | See the Norwegian DJ, YouTuber, and record producer best known for the single “Faded.”
Anthony Horowitz with Shari Lapena: The Twist of a Knife | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Hear from author Anthony Horowitz to celebrate the release of “The Twist of a Knife” with Brookline Booksmith.

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Book Talk Benefitting Bikes Not Bombs | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Free to attend | Meet Anne Winkler-Morey, who rode a bike for 12,000 miles on the contiguous perimeter of the US and wrote a book about it.

Thursday, Nov. 17

Friendsgiving: Bill Murray Trivia and Seabiscuit Pie Pop Up | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 6-10 p.m. | Bone Up Brewing, 38 Norman St., Everett | Price of purchase | Test your knowledge on all things Bill Murray and enjoy beer pairings with sweet and savory holiday pies.
Stories & Spirits: Food and Family | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston | Free | Listen as local storytellers cook up and share stories on the theme of “food and family.”

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

The Bruins Reverse Retro jerseys are now on sale 🏒

Close up of David Pastrňák wearing the new Boston Bruins reverse retro jersey

Order a jersey online or by visiting the ProShop, powered by ’47, at the Hub on Causeway (84 Causeway St.). | Photo provided by the Boston Bruins

Calling all hockey fans — it’s time to step up your jersey game with the Bruins new, limited-edition Reverse Retro jersey. Fun fact: The jersey is a return to the team’s original 1995 gold third jersey, which was one of the first five third jerseys in NHL history. 🏒

They’ll be wearing this jersey five more times during the 2022-23 season:

Sat., Nov., 19
Fri., Nov. 25
Tues., Nov. 29
Sat., Dec. 3
Sat., Dec. 31*

ORDER THE JERSEY

Weather

45º | Mostly cloudy | 0% chance of rain

Concert

“Raise Your Glass,” because P!NK is coming to Fenway Park for her Summer Carnival Tour on Monday, July 31, 2023. She will be joined by special guests Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Grouplove, and KidCutUp. Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. 🎟️

Coming Soon

The details are still cooking, but the Broadway Restaurant Group (think: Lincoln Tavern, Loco Taqueria, and Capo) is planning to open a new restaurant in Charlestown at 10 City Sq. The new concept will focus on handmade pasta and cheeses, with an extensive in-house butchery program. (NBC 10)

Open

Blank Street Coffee has opened a second location in Beacon Hill at 97 Charles St. The tech-focused coffee chain is planning to open another location in Back Bay at 647 Boylston St. on Friday, Nov. 18. ☕ (Boston Business Journal)

Art

A new mural is on display in Kendall Square at 139 Main St. “Charles Gate” was completed by Boston-based muralist + graffiti artist Percy Fortini-Wright and designed to connect the community to the Charles River Watershed. (Boston.com)

Edu

The list of Rhodes Scholars that will go to Oxford University next October for free features 16 students with connections to New England. Out of the 32 selected scholars, three are from MIT and four are from Harvard. 🎓

Cause

Boston Children’s Hospital raised $70,000 during the first Ride to Cure Kids over the weekend. The goal is to raise $100,000 for research of illnesses affecting children by Thursday, Dec. 1. Donations can be made here. (7 News)

Real Estate

A Massachusetts home on the National Register of Historic Places is on the market in Natick for $1.25 million. The 284-year-old house predates the American Revolution and features four bedrooms + three full baths across 3,253 sqft on nearly two-acres. 🏠 (WCVB 5)

Try This

Daunted by a long holiday shopping list? Quick cash idea: List your extra storage spaces on Neighbor. You can rent out anything from closets and sheds to driveways and parking spots. Bonus: Listing your space is free. 💸*

Correction

Yesterday, we shared about the City of Boston’s funding to support Humphreys Street Studios in Dorchester. The city put a total of $1.7 million towards the Dorchester artist studios, not $17 million. Learn more about this investment in local arts and culture here.

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Events

Girlfriends X BOStoday Neighborhood Meet Up

Hit the cobblestone streets with us. | Photo by @behindthelens617

We like to think we’re a resource for you to enjoy all the things our city has to offer. To help you level up this neighborhood guide, we are excited to co-host a Neighborhood Meet Up with Girlfriends Boston.

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 4 for a casual day getting to know the historic streets of the Beacon Hill neighborhood and some new friends.

We will begin the day at 10:30 a.m. at Blank Street Coffee, then browse local shops and boutiques + finish the day with a bite to eat. Sound like something you’re interested in? Stay tuned for more details in an upcoming newsletter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Jessica.

Editor’s pick: Move over Brady. There’s a new Tommy from Massachusetts, and he’s taking over TikTok. Tommy the giant Brown Swiss ox is bigger than a football player too, at 6 ft tall and 3,000 pounds. Follow along on TikTok to see the big guy living his best life on a farm in Western Massachusetts.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Look back and celebrate some of our favorite moments from the first year of BOStoday.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Jessica Burton, Sara Frazier, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare| Advertise with us.

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