Recycling Guidelines

Dual Stream Mandatory Recycling Guidelines

For residents with curbside pickup (⋜4 units):

• Containers (emptied and rinsed with tops or lids on) can be comingled: metal cans, tins and foil, plastic bottles, jars, jugs and tubs, and glass bottles and jars may be put together in recycling bins. Do not place items in plastic bags!
• Paper including newspaper, magazines, paperboard, etc. may be bagged in paper, tied or put in a separate recycling bin. Cardboard must be cut, flattened to 4 feet by 4 feet and bundled to no thicker than 1 feet. Smaller boxes may be nested.
• Any container can be marked for recycling or labeled with a free "recycle" sticker available at Department of Public Works (DPW) offices. No plastic bags!
• Recycling bins and carts can be purchased at the DPW, 95 Hobart Street with check only when in stock.
• Condo and Apartment residents without curbside pickup (>4 units) can bring their recycling to the Transfer Station Monday through Saturday from 7 am - 4 pm (Users must enter by 3:45 pm).

The following items are not recyclable curbside and do not belong in your curbside recycling bin:

Common curbside recycling contaminants that are recyclable "outside of the bin" include:  

• Plastic Bags: Please recycle with other plastic films at your local grocery or department store.
• Metal items that are not containers: Please bring to the Transfer Station ($0.10/lb.) or recycle for free during Danvers Zero Waste Recycling Weekends in the spring and fall.
• Rigid Plastic items: Please recycle for free at the Transfer Station or during Danvers Zero Waste Recycling Weekends in the spring and fall.
• Clothing, Linens or other Textiles: Please recycle with Simple Recycling curbside, bring to a resale shop, donate to a local textile collection program or recycle for free during Danvers Zero Waste Recycling Weekends in the spring and fall.
• Shredded paper: Shredded paper belongs in your trash. Shredded paper can contaminate other curbside recycling. As an alternative to shredding your paper at home, have it shredded in bulk while you watch during Danvers Zero Waste Recycling Weekends in the spring and fall. This large volume of shredded paper does get recycled.
• Tanglers: Wires, chains or electric cords should never go in your recycling bin. Bring metal wires and chains to our metal bin and electric cords to our electronics recycler during Danvers Zero Waste Recycling Weekends in the spring and fall.

The following items should not go in your recycling bin and should be thrown in the trash:

• Recyclable containers containing food or liquid: If you can't clean it out, throw it out. Food or liquid can contaminate an entire recycling load.
• Cartons: Please put in your trash. Cartons are not easily recyclable.
• Styrofoam: Please dispose of with your regular trash. Large pieces count as one item.
• Pizza boxes with pizza in it or cheese stuck on it: Small oil stains are ok, but if you can't remove the food, put it in your trash.
• Tanglers: Hoses, ropes or plastic cords should never go in your recycling bin: they belong in the trash.

Note: Placing non-recyclable items in your recycling bin may result in your recycling being left curbside.