Recycling
Newburyport Recycling
Residents are required to separate recyclable material from trash. (On City website, search for “Ordinances,” then see Health and Sanitation Ordinance, Chapter 8, Article III, Division 1.) The materials which must be recycled are cardboard, paper, glass bottles and jars, metal cans and aluminum foil/foil pans, and plastics with recycle numbers 1 through 7. (Sec. 8-93 Enforcement & Penalties. Failure to comply with recycling ordinance carries a $100. fine.) See code of ordinances chapter 8 article III for laws relating to solid waste and recycling.
Recyclables are picked up every other week. See Recycling A & B week street listing here.
The SIX observed holidays in 2024-2025 are Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day and Memorial Day.
Every household received one 64-gallon recycling cart. The carts belong to the house and must be left at the house in the event of a move. If the cart is missing, residents may use any barrel which is clearly marked “Recycle.” The City Health Department can provide you with such labels.
Please remember to place the recycle carts three feet from other objects, with the wheels toward the house.
Curbside Recycling Reminders
- Recycling is mandatory and will be enforced.
- Recycling is single stream; place all recyclables in the same container. Set recycling carts and trash out by 7 AM on collection day.
- No plastic bags of any kind in recycling carts, even if they have a recycle number. The place to recycle plastic bags is in a supermarket’s specially marked bin in front of the store.
- Large cardboard must be cut and folded so it is no more than 3 feet wide or tall. It must be bundled, tied, and left next to your container.
- No textiles; (i.e. fabric, clothing) must be put in recycling carts. Take to a thrift store or textile bin (see page 4).
- Containers must be rinsed or wiped out, but do not have to be completely clean.
- No clothes hangers in recycling carts. Wire hangers may be taken to dry cleaners. Plastic hangers can go to the Recycling Center.
- No electronics, batteries, cell phones, oil, oil-based paint, fluorescent bulbs (including CFLs), appliances (large or small), plant containers, plastic bags or Styrofoam in recycling carts. These items can be recycled at the Recycling Center (see page 3).
- Glass bottles/jars must be clear, green, or brown in a curbside recycling bin. No broken glass or other glass such as light bulbs, window or auto glass, dishes, glasses or Pyrex (see page 4).
- Metal items other than food cans may not go in curbside carts. Other metal (e.g. pots and pans, grills) may be taken to the Recycle Center (see page 3).
- Plastic containers which have recycle symbols 1 – 7 are allowed. No un-numbered plastics. Leave plastic caps/lids on plastic bottles.
- No Styrofoam, even if labeled “recyclable.” Put in trash or take non-food types to Colby Farm Lane Recycling Center (see page 3).
- Paper Recycle all your clean, non-food type paper!
- Bubble wrap can go to Pak Mail.
- Tin, steel, and aluminum: Food cans and lids, deposit and non-deposit beverage cans (can be flattened), clean aluminum foil and foil pans, and empty aerosol cans are okay. No cans which contained hazardous material or paint.
- Pizza boxes are recyclable as long as there is no food, food residue or plastic inside the box.
- You may use an overflow barrel if clearly marked and placed close to recycling cart.
For full list, visit the Recyclopedia on the city website: www.cityofnewburyport.com and search Recyclopedia