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With
the exception of items accepted at the City-operated
Recycling Drop-Off Center, please call ahead to
confirm that the outlet list is still accepting
the item.
Know of additional outlets
for any of the materials listed below? Wondering
if you can recycle something not listed? Found
out of date information? Let
us know!
Antifreeze
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Appliances
- SOLUTIONS AT WORK
(617) 492-0300 x6, Contact: Boutin Soniq
Pick up donations Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays
9:30-4:00pm, call to make arrangements.
Small appliances:
lamps, toaster ovens, irons, microwaves, electric
frying pans, electric mixers, blenders, radios,
clocks, small stereos.
Refrigerators
and freezers: must be 10 years
old or less and in a place where they can confirm
that the appliance works.
Furniture: only bureaus and
kitchen tables/chairs accepted.
- Accepted from Cambridge residents in Appliance
Recycling Program.
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Aseptic
Packaging
Examples of aseptic packaging
are soy milk containers and waxed cartons for
juice/milk. Accepted in curbside
recycling. Rinse, flatten and place
in paper bag with other paper products.
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Batteries
Alkaline batteries made in the USA after 1994
do not contain mercury and are safe to dispose
with trash. Duracell and Energizer stopped using
mercury in 1984. Batteries with a green tree logo
or the words “no added mercury” or
“zero mercury added” are also safe
to dispose with the trash.
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Bicycle/
Bicycle Tires
- BIKES
NOT BOMBS, mail@bikesnotbombs.org
(BICYCLE RECYCLING CENTER - 2 locations)
- 18 Bartlett Square, Jamaica Plain MA 02139
(617) 522-0226
Accepts Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm and Saturdays
12-6pm
- 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130
(617) 522-0222
Call first. Accepts Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 pm.
Will accept bicycles or bicycle parts, even
if they are not in working condition. They do
not accept women's 10-speed.
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Building
Materials (Construction Debris In Good Condition)
- BUILDING
MATERIALS RESOURCE CENTER
(617) 442-8917, Fax (617) 427-2491, 100 Terrace
Street, Roxbury, MA 02120
Visit their website or call for open hours.
Will accept a large variety of surplus building
materials. Materials include all types of flooring,
kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks and faucets,
all bathroom fixtures, most types of windows,
doors (no doors with lead paint), door hinges
and locks, light fixtures, and plywood and gypsum
wallboard. Please call to find out whether your
surplus materials are acceptable.
- BOSTON
RESTORE, INC.
(617) 288-8400, 10 Harvard Street in Dorchester,
MA 02124
Accepts unwanted new or used building materials
and supplies (good condition only) as well as
office furniture. Anything with lead paint or
asbestos not accepted. Materials are sold to
the people who need them, but who cannot afford
prices at the big building supply stores. Call
with questions, if you want to know more about
the work, or to become involved.
Buildings materials accepted
include lumber, drywall, latex paint, carpet,
tools, caulk, doors, kitchen cabinets, plumbing
and electrical fixtures and supplies, roofing
supplies, office furniture and more. Office
furniture accepted include desks, chairs
and filing cabinets.
- LONGLEAF
LUMBER
(antique lumber company with a showroom in Cambridge
and a mill in Berwick, Maine)
1-866-OLD-FLOOR, 617-871-6611, 115 Fawcett Street,
Cambridge, MA 02138
info@longleaflumber.com
- NEW
ENGLAND DEMOLITION & SALVAGE
(508) 291-7258, 3065 Cranberry Highway, #6,
E. Wareham, MA 02538
- NOR'EAST
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUES
16 Exeter Road (Route 150), South Hampton, NH
- OLDE
BOSTONIAN
66 Von Hillern Street, Boston, MA 02125
- RADICAL
RADIATOR RESTORATIONS
Steam and hot waste radiators
(617) 733-7163, 35 R Mystic Street, Everett,
MA 02149
- RESTORATION RESOURCES
(617) 542-3033, 31 Thayer Street, Boston, MA
02118
- Click
here for disposal options.
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Cars
- MA
SPECIAL OLYMPICS – RECYCLE FOR GOLD PROGRAM
State residents may call 1-800-590-1600 to donate
a vehicle.
Vehicles are completely recycled down to the
remaining gas, oil, and antifreeze. The proceeds
from the recycled materials help fund athletic
training programs and competition for over 9,300
Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes. Not
only does the environment benefit from being
spared the harmful effects from old and improperly
disposed of vehicles, donors also benefit from
a potential tax deduction!
- VOLUNTEERS
OF AMERICA
(617) 522-8088 Fax (617) 524-8537, 441 Centre
Street, Jamaica Plain, Ma 02130
Visit website for more information. Donate your
early '90s or newer vehicle to this non-profit
organization and help support their programs
for at-risk youth, adults in recovery from substance
abuse, elders in need of housing, and mental
health services. Towing is free and your donation
is tax deductible. (Motorcycles, boats and RVs
are also accepted.)
- CAR
CAMPAIGN - AIDS ACTION COMMITTEE INITIATIVE
1-888-332-AUTO (Toll Free in MA), carcampaign@aac.org
Visit website for more information. Whether
it runs or not, we'll pick it up for free (restrictions
apply) and resell or recycle it. You will receive
a tax deduction and people with HIV will get
help and support! VIN number necessary.
- KIDNEY
CARS PROGRAM (NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION)
1-800-542-4001
Local office: 85 Astor Ave, Suite 2, Norwod
MA 02062, 781-278-0222
Nationwide, year-round pick-up service. Donations
help the NKF fund public and professional education,
patient and community services, research and
organ donation programs.
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Car
Batteries
A number of junkyards located on Columbia St.
at the Cambridge and Somerville border may buy
your old car batteries. Two are:
- ATLAS JUNK COMPANY
(617) 666-8440, 475 Columbia Street
HOURS: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday 7am-noon
Give approximately $1.00 for every two car batteries.
- JOSEPH TALEWSKY & SONS, INC.
(617) 625-4808, 508 Columbia Street
HOURS: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm
Pays $.75-$1.00 for car batteries.
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Cell Phones
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CD's
See 'Computer
disks'
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CD cases
Dispose with regular
household trash.
Unmarked firm plastics and foam packaging
are not accepted at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center or in the curbside program. DVD
cases:
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Chinese Food
Take-Out Containers
Chinese food containers are made of wet strength
paper, which is not water soluble, and therefore
not usable in most paper making processes. Dispose
of with trash.
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Clothing
Clothes that are in fair to good condition can
be donated to different homeless shelters, humanitarian
organizations or second hand clothing stores.
See yellow pages under clothing-second hand.
- Accepted from
Cambridge residents at
the Recycling Drop-Off
Center during open hours.
Clothing accepted at the Center is donated to
Second Chances, a local agency that provides
local homelessness, emergency assistance and
anti-poverty organizations with the clothing
their clients need, when they need it. See www.secondchances.org.
- CHILDREN'S
CLOTHING EXCHANGE
(617) 576-0039
391 Evereteze Way (Roosevelt Towers Housing
Complex)
Cambridge, MA 02141
Hours: 10-4 every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
plus 11-3 the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every
month.
Trade children’s clothing and toys.
- BOOMERANGS
(617) 524-5220
716 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain MA 02130
Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 12-6pm
Re-sale store that accepts clothing gifts, housewares,
electronics and furniture.
- BREAD
& JAMS
(617) 497-9200, 50 Quincy Street in Cambridge,
02138
Daytime shelter accepts clothing donations.
Also appreciates monetary donations.
- PLANET
AID, INC.
1-888-893-0648
There is a clothing collection box at:
Al's Auto
at 277 Broadway
Planet Aid is a non-profit organization dedicated
to improving the lives of people in developing
countries. Their objectives include development,
relief aid, and protecting the environment,
among other things. You can also sell items
sale on e-bay and donate a percentage of the
sale to Planet Aid. Visit www.planetaid.org.
- ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
1-800-675-2882
Maintains a collection box at St. Mary’s
Church on corner of Harvard St. and Norfolk.
Place toys in a boc or schedule pick-up.
- SALVATION ARMY
(617) 354-9159, 328 Massachusetts Ave (Near
MIT)
Small quantities of clothing and small household
items, no toys. Large quantities and furniture,
working appliances, skis and sporting equipment
accepted at Saugus location. See "Furniture
and Household Items". TV's must have a
remote control.
- SOLUTIONS
AT WORK
(617) 576-0039, 391 Evereteze Way (Roosevelt
Towers Housing Complex)
Accepts children’s
clothing and adult clothing apprpriate for interviews.
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Computers
- Working
Working computers may be donated to many organizations
that have different programs to transform old
or surplus computer and peripheral equipment into
functional and useful computer systems for non-profit
agencies and persons with low income. Donations
are accepted at:
- TECSCHANGE
- TECHNOLOGY FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
(617) 442-4456, 83 Highland Street, Roxbury,
MA 02119 donations@tecschange.org
Please call or email first.
Accepts donations from individuals, local companies,
and other institutions. Computers should be
less than 4 1/2 years old, 800 MHz range or
better, complete, but not necessarily in working
order. Since flat screens are now available,
monitors are not desired. Donated equipment
is refurbished by skilled volunteers and provided,
along with technical support, to grassroots
community organizations in the Cambridge-Boston
area. Equipment is also donated to grassroots
NGO's abroad.
Laptops (less than 7 years old) are especially
useful for groups that do human rights advocacy.
Donated equipment is also needed for their computer
repair classes. These classes are taught by
high-tech volunteers and graduating students
can take home a computer that they have refurbished
themselves.
- COMPUTER ASSETS
recyclers@wn.net
Only accept equipment from companies, not individuals.
All grades of computer equipment accepted. They
salvage what they can for resale and recycle
the rest as much as possible. They will do pick-ups
of as little as a vanload in Boston. Price depends
on how much it costs them to pick-up and process
material minus a percentage of the money they
get from reselling.
- SOLUTIONS
AT WORK
(617) 492-0300, 1151 Massachusetts Ave
They will absolutely test items before taking
it. Will accept working television sets, printers,
scanners and computers that are 6 years old
or newer.
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Computers
– Non-Working
Computer monitors and televisions contain lead,
mercury, cadmium and other hazardous substances.
They are banned from landfills and incinerators
in MA and must be recycled.
Computer Disks
and VCR Tapes
GreenDisk, 1-800-305 DISK, jbeschen@greendisk.com
Collects technotrash including boards, chips,
cables, cords, print cartridges, PDA's, cell phones,
and all forms of electronic media and cases. For
more than 70 lbs, call to make custom arrangements.
Grendisk destroys private data and recycles everything.
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Condensed
Frozen Juice Containers
Are made of "wet strength" paper, a
type of paper that is not compatible with most
paper making processes. The metal ends on the
containers can be recycled with other bottles
and cans.
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Construction
Debris - Disposal Options
You must call a private hauler to take away renovation
waste generated. The City will only pick up carpet
(cut, rolled and tied), one 2'x2' bundle of lumber,
and one toilet or sink per week with the trash.
If you have clean drywall
cutoffs, you can recycle them at a local recycler
in Cambridge. Click
here for a flyer.
Here are a few waste haulers we recommend. Call
ahead for drop-off hours:
- MCGEOGHEAN WASTE SYSTEMS
617-547-2595, 1-877-ROLL-OFF
- JET-A-WAY
RECYCLING
617-541-4000, Drop-off at 47 Kemble Street
in Roxbury
- MICH LIN TRANSFER STATION (MABARDY'S)
617-354-7580, Drop-off at 50 Mooney Street in
North Cambridge
- EMPIRE RECYCLING
978-670-7140
-
Drywall (Gypsum
Wallboard)
- GYPSUM
RECYCLING AMERICA (GRA)
GRA recycles new, dry gypsum wallboard scrap
(cuts from new construction), diverting this
waste from our landfills. Only new,
dry paper-faced scrap accepted, no demolition
waste. 2 locations:
135 Fawcett Street, Cambridge, MA (near Fresh
Pond)
300 Centre Street, Holbrook, MA (781) 961-3456
Cambridge residents can still deliver material
for FREE and contractors no longer need an
appointment, we’re open 5 days a week
from 6:30 am – 6 p.m. and on call on
Saturdays. Pricing is $14 per yard loose material,
$16 per yard stacked.
Call Patrick Manning 617-596-4297 for questions.
Click
here for a flyer.
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Electronics
- STAPLES
Accepts mobile electronics, cell phones, toner
and ink cartridges at Cambridge locations:
57 JFK Street, (617) 491-1166
186 Alewife Brook Pkwy, (617) 547-3948
- WASTE
CAP OF MASSACHUSETTS
WasteCap has an online database of recycling
companies in their Recycling Services Directory
for Massachusetts.
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Fabric Scraps
Accepted from
Cambridge residents at
the Recycling Drop-Off Center
during open hours.
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Fire Extinguishers
Very old extinguishers that contain carbon tetrachloride
are hazardous and should not be thrown out. If
the extinguishers are sodium bicarbonate or monoammonium
phosphate, they are not considered hazardous and
you can discharge them outside and then bring
to Recycling
Drop-off Center for scrap metal during
open hours or place in the trash.
If the extinguishers are monoammonium phosphate,
wear safety goggles and a mask while discharging,
as it is and eye and respiratory irritant. To
discharge your old dry chemical extinguisher:
- May be discharged in an area where an acidic
fertilizer would be used such as around evergreens.
Do not use on lawns.
- When relieving the pressure (emptying) the
container for disposal, review manufacturers'
instructions, or, if unavailable, use the PASS
technique.
- Pull the pin: this unlocks the operating lever
and allows you to discharge the extinguisher.
Some extinguishers may have other seals or tamper
indicators.
- Aim low: Point the extinguisher nozzle (or
hose) at the base of the item.
- Squeeze the lever above the handle: this discharges
the extinguishing agent. Releasing the lever
will stop the discharge. (Some extinguishers
have a button instead of a lever.)
- Sweep from side to side.
- After pressure has been relieved (when nothing
else comes out) remove the head from the container
and bring to Recycling
Drop-off Center for scrap metal during
open hours or place in the trash.
Most fire extinguishers are rechargeable. See
yellow pages under fire equipment. The following
locations will dispose of any fire extinguisher:
- FIRE EQUIPMENT INCORPORATED - 3 locations!
Small charge unless purchasing a new fire extinguisher.
Medford: (781)
391-8050, 88 Hicks Avenue
Chelmsford: (978) 244-0555,
187 Billerica Road, Route 129
Springfield: (413)
736-2300, 85 St. George Road, Suite A
- NEW ENGLAND FIRE AND SAFETY
(781) 396-3203, Located in Medford.
Will accept if purchasing a new extinguisher.
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Fluorescent
Light Bulbs
Click
here for more information.
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Foam Core
Dispose with regular household trash.
If you want to continue to recycle Styrofoam,
the Alliance
of Foam Packaging Recyclers has a national
mail back program that accepts and recycles Styrofoam
if sent to 1298 Cronson Boulevard, Suite 201,
Crofton, MD 21114 USA.
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Food
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Furniture
and Household Items
Furniture that is not ripped or stained can
be donated to different homeless shelters, humanitarian
organizations or second hand furniture stores.
See yellow pages under used furniture.
If you need to dispose of old furniture that is
not in good condition to donate, Cambridge reisdents
may put out 1 piece of furniture per week on your
regular collection day.
- SALVATION
ARMY
Large Quantities:
Call (781) 231-0803 between 8am-4pm Mon-Sat
to arrange for pick up; ask for "Donations."
Plan ahead if you may have a sensitive timeline.
Saugus location does pick ups
on Wednesdays in Cambridge. All donations are
accepted at the discretion of the driver. Washing
machines, dryers and refrigerators must be 7
years old or newer and in working condition.
Drop off items at 209 Broadway
in Saugus off Route 1 south. Hours are Mon 8am-4pm,
Tues-Thurs 8am-7pm, Fri/Sat 8am-5pm and Sun
1-5pm. No furniture accepted on Sundays.
The following items are not accepted:
- No console TVs or stereos
- No yard sales leftovers
- No construction equipment
- No hospital supplies
- No rugs, unless oriental
- No waterbeds
- No encyclopedias
- No metal filing cabinets or desks
- No dishwashers unless portable
- No metal items
- No gas dryers
- No gas stoves
- No computers
Accepts games, toys and puzzles (must be unopened),
mattresses in good condition with box springs.
Mattresses must be free from stains, tears or
rips.
- AID TO INCARCERATED MOTHERS
(617) 536-0058, 434 Massachusetts Ave, 5th Floor
#503, Boston, MA 02118
Particularly needs: clothing (women's and children's),
dressers, desks, kitchen tables/chairs, dinning
room tables/chairs, beds, mattress sets in usable
condition, lights, couches, living room chairs/tables,
baby accessories (chairs, cribs, car seats and
high chairs), appliances (refridgerators, washers
and dryers). Plan ahead if you may have a sensitive
timeline.
- BIG
BROTHER BIG SISTER FOUNDATION
1-800-483-5503 x2 or (774) 776-7200 5 Mear Road,
Holbrook, MA
Drop off items Mon-Fri 10-5:30pm. No baby furniture
or sleeper sofas. They will pickup, call for
information. Plan ahead if you may have a sensitive
timeline.
- Put a posting on Craig's
List for free or for sale. This is
a very popular site among Cambridge residents.
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Gasoline
Cambridge residents
should bring to Household
Hazardous Waste Collection.
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Hard Cover
Books
- Not accepted in curbside recycling because
of the glue binding and cover.
However, if you rip the pages out, recycle the
paper in a paper bag with your other mixed paper
and throw the cover/binding out with household
trash.
- Accepted from
Cambridge residents at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center Book Exchange during
open hours. Take some, leave some!
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Household Hazardous
Waste
- The City holds Household
Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Days
on a few Saturdays in April, June and October
from 9-1pm at 450 Concord Ave. You must bring
proof that you are a Cambridge resident. Call
(617) 349-4800 for questions.
- MINUTEMAN
HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS COLLECTION FACILITY
(781) 862-0500 x237, Board of Health, Town of
Lexington
8 collection days, April - November 9am-2pm,
check for exact dates.
Fees: $35 for a half carload
of material or $50 for a full carload. Please
call for more information about accepted materials,
specific dates and directions to the site.
Directions: From Rte 128S
take exit 31 (Rte 4/225 heading towards Bedford).
At the first light take a right, via jug handle,
onto Hartwell Ave. The site is ¼ mile
on the left just after the bike path at the
composting facility.
- CLEAN
HARBORS
(781) 380-7100, 1 Hill Ave (off Quincy
Ave), Braintree
Accepts HHW from residents every Saturday from
May 1 through October 31 from 8am-12 noon. They
charge $2.50/lb and accept cash or check. No
fire extinguishers or cylinders of any kind
and no propane tanks.
Ice-cream
Boxes
Ice cream boxes are made of wet strength paper,
which is not water soluble, and therefore not
usable in most paper making processes. Dispose
of with trash.
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Laptop Computer
Batteries
- GreenDisk,
1-800-305 DISK, jbeschen@greendisk.com
Collects technotrash including boards, chips,
cables, cords, print cartridges, PDA's, cell
phones, and all forms of electronic media and
cases. For more than 70 lbs, call to make custom
arrangements. Grendisk destroys private data
and recycles everything.
- Accepted
from Cambridge
residents at
the Recycling Drop-Off
Center during open hours.
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Lawn Mowers
Accepted from Cambridge
residents in Appliance
Recycling Program. Gas must be emptied
out of tank.
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Linoleum
Flooring
No outlet known. Dispose with regular trash.
For large amounts, call
a private hauler.
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Mattresses,
Futons & Boxsprings
- DREAM
ON
(617) 864-6000, Contact: Liz Tortora
299 Prospect Street
Open every day, check website for hours: www.dreamonfuton.com.
. Will recycle all mattresses, futons and box
springs. Charges $30 for mattress/futon and
$10 for box spring. They are able to pick up
for a small charge. Call for more details. Dream
On is bringing the items for recycling at Conigliaro
Industries in Framingham.
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Motor Oil
Recycle used oil by returning it
to the point of purchase with your receipt. State
law requires retailers to accept it
and recycle it at no cost to you.
- ALEWIFE MOBIL
(617) 864-3320, 2615 Massachusetts Avenue
Accepts used motor oil in small quantities from
the public.
- AUTO ZONE
(617) 666-5416, 160 Washington Street, Somerville
- DEPT
OF PUBLIC WORKS
(617) 349-4800, 147 Hampshire Street. Mon 8:30am-8pm,
Tues & Thurs 8:30am-7:30pm, Wed 8:30-5pm,
Fri 8:30-Noon, Sat 9am-4pm.
Follow signs at DPW gate to tank under shed.
Ring bell and wait for attendant. Drain oil
into a container with a tight lid that you will
leave at the drop-off site. No motor oil from
businesses. No other automotive liquids accepted.
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Mylar
Cannot be recycled. Dispose with regular trash.
Click
here for more information.
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Needles
Proper disposal of needles and syringes is important.
Needles, syringes, or other sharp objects may
NOT be thrown in household trash or recycling,
or flushed down the toilet.
Cambridge residents can deposit used needles
and syringes into a sharps disposal kiosk at the
Windsor Street Health Center, 119 Windsor Street.
Click
here for more information.
Also, check out these needle exchange or medical
mail-back services:
Previously, the most common disposal method was
to place sharps in a hard plastic or metal container
with a screw-on lid and sealed with heavy-duty
tape before setting out with your trash. However,
these containers can still rupture during compaction
in the rubbish trucks causing the needles to become
loosely dispersed tin the waste stream. Uncontained
sharps can pose serious health and safety risks
to sanitation workers or personnel at solid waste
facilities.
For more information about the proper disposal
of medical waste, please contact Sam
Lipson, Environmental Health Director
at (617) 665-3838.
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Oil/Water
Mixture
Cambridge residents should bring to Household
Hazardous Waste Collection.
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Padded
Envelopes
No known reuse outlet. Dispose of with regular
trash.
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Paint
Leftover paint should never be thrown in the
trash and can often be donated for reuse or resale.
Paint poured on the ground, into storm drains
or put in the trash could end up in groundwater
and streams.
If you buy only as much paint as you need to
complete a project, you will save money and avoid
waste. Click
here to
quickly calculate exactly how much paint you will
need for your painting project.
To store paint for long periods
of time:
- Cover the opening of the paint can with a
piece of plastic wrap and seal the lid tightly.
Store the can upside down and away from heat.
Ideas for leftover paint:
- Apply a second coat or use for touch-up.
- Stencil or sponge-paint walls or furniture.
- Mix latex paint together to use as a base
coat (mix interior with interior; exterior with
exterior).
- Give it away. Check with neighbors, friends,
theater groups or community organizations to
see if they could use it.
- Paint a fence, shed or your doghouse.
Local Donation Outlets:
- BUILDING
MATERIALS RESOURCE CENTER
(617) 442-8917, 100 Terrace St, Roxbury MA
Accepts paint March-August, only full, unopened
new cans of white. The Center also accepts materials
for scraping and patching as well as paper wall
coverings.
Directions for Proper Disposal:
- Latex-based Paint
Small Amounts: If
you have one inch or less of leftover latex,
dry it out and discard the can. Dry out latex
paint by opening the can and letting it evaporate
outdoors, away from children and pets. Dispose
of the paint can with the lid off with your
trash.
Large Amounts: Cambridge
residents can mix in kitty litter or pour one-inch
layers of paint in a cardboard box lined with
a plastic bag. Stir the paint occasionally to
speed drying. Put completely dried paint in
the trash. Otherwise, residents should bring
paint to Household
Hazardous Waste Collection
or bring to the
Minuteman
Hazardous Household Products Collection Facility.
Photographs
and Negatives
No known reuse outlet. Dispose of with regular
trash.
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Plant Pots
Pots that are completely free from
dirt are accepted from
Cambridge residents in curbside recycling
(loose in your bin).
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Plastic Bags
Think about ways to reduce your use of plastic
bags. Bring a cloth shopping bags to the store
and reusable containers for bulk items.
The following neighborhood supermarkets accept
plastic bags for recycling from customers. Look
for a collection bin near the front of the store
or ask customer service. Bags should be re clean
and empty.
- Harvest Coop, 581 Massachusetts Ave
- Johnnie's Foodmaster, 45 Beacon Street
- Star Market, 699 Mount Auburn Street
- Star MIT, 20 Sidney Street
- Shaw's Porter Square
- Shaws Somerville, 14 McGrath Highway
- Whole
Foods, 200 Alewife Brook Parkway
- Whole Foods, 340 River Street
- Whole Foods, 115 Prospect St
- Also accepted from
Cambridge residents at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center during open hours.
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Plastic Caps
Accepted from Cambridge
residents loose in your bin for curbside recycling.
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Plastic
Envelopes
Click
here to
find out about recycling Tyvek envelopes. Otherwise,
Dispose with regular household trash.
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Printer Cartridges
- INKTEC
ZONE
1-888-4-INK-TEC, 485 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge,
info@inkteczone.us
Bring in your empty inkjet cartridges for refilling
or recycling. Empty toner cartridges are accepted
as well. No fee associated with recycling!
- STAPLES
Bring to: 57 JFK Street, (17) 491-1166 and 186
Alewife Brook Parkway, (617) 547-3948
Accepts mobile electronics, cell phones, toner
and printer cartridges.
- GREENDISK
1-800-305-DISK
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Produce Baskets
Beginning
November 1, 2005, unmarked firm plastics and foam
packaging will no longer be accepted at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center. Dispose with regular
household trash.
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Propane Tanks
Please observe basic safety precautions when
handling compressed gas cylinders:
- Do not throw in trash.
- Do not remove valve from tank
- Do not vent gas; it is both a flame hazard
and a source of air pollution. Keep cylinder
valve closed.
Disposal Options:
- AMERICAN PROPANE
(617) 387-5065, Charges $5
1738 Revere Beach, Everett
Mon-Fri 10-6pm, Sat & Sun 10-5pm
- IGO’S WELDING SUPPLY COMPANY
1-800-870-WELD, (617) 926-2030, 205 Grove St,
Watertown MA (Behind Mt. Auburn Cemetery)
$5 per tank. Only accepts 20 lb. tanks or smaller.
Fills propane tanks.
- MINUTEMAN
HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS COLLECTION FACILITY
(781) 862-0500 x237, Town of Lexington Board
of Health
201 Bedford Street
Accepts propane tanks up to 22lbs. Must be sealed.
- UHAUL
(617) 442-5600, Boston. Please call first.
$10 per tank regardless of size.
- Accepted from
Cambridge residents at Household
Hazardous Waste Collection.
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Raisin Containers
(cylindrical)
Remove plastic lid, flatten, place in paper bag
with other paper items in or next to your curbside
recycling bin.
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Rechargeable
Batteries
Alkaline batteries made in the USA after 1994
do not contain mercury and are safe to dispose
with regular household trash. Duracell and Energizer
stopped using mercury in 1984.
Batteries with a green tree logo or the words
“no added mercury” or “zero
mercury added” are safe to dispose with
the trash.
- Non-Alkaline Batteries accepted from
Cambridge residents at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center including Lithium
Ion, Lead Acid, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal
Hydride, Mercury and Silver Oxide batteries.
- Call 1-800-8-BATTERY for the location nearest
you to recycle rechargeable batteries.
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Records,
Vinyl
- Try thrift and second hand stores for reuse.
- Dispose with regular household trash.
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Rubber
Bands
The United States Postal Service reuses rubber
bands. Bundle or bag rubber bands and:
- Give to your mail carrier
- Drop them in any blue mailbox
- Bring them to any post office in Cambridge:
- Central Square: 770 Massachusetts Ave
- Kendall Square: 250 Main Street
- Harvard Square: 125 Mount Auburn Street
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Scrap
Metal
- Accepted from Cambridge residents at the Recycling
Drop-off Center during open hours. Click
here for more information.
- JOSEPH TALEWSKY & SONS, INC.
(617) 625-4808, 508 Columbia
Street
Accepts brass, copper, lead, aluminum, stainless
steel, and industrial batteries. They will pay
for these materials.
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Shower Curtains
Accepted from Cambridge
residents at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center with plastic film.
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Smoke Detectors
Certain smoke detectors contain a radioactive
sensing device, but the radioactivity is so low
that it is considered harmless. It is OK to dispose
in the trash.
Detector companies accept returned radioactive
detectors for disposal as hazardous waste. Detectors
have a limited life span, usually specified at
ten years. Testing your detector with actual smoke
is the only way to be sure it will work when needed.
For more information call 800-323-9005 or 800-387-4219.
The vast majority of smoke detectors are made
by First Alert Corporation. Look on the back for
an address. Any manufactured in Aurora IL may
be sent back to First Alert.
- FIRST
ALERT
Radioactive Waste Disposal
780 McClure Road
Aurora, IL 60504-2495
Send detectors by surface mail or UPS Ground
so they don't end up in an
airplane.
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Sneakers
- NIKE
REUSE A SHOE
Both Cambridge locations accept non-metal containing
shoes only:
- 1815 Massachusetts Ave, (617) 661-1666
- 44 Brattle Street, (617) 492-6000
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Styrofoam
Peanuts
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Styrofoam Trays
- Dispose with regular household trash.
- Large Quantities:
CONIGLIARO
INDUSTRIES
(508) 872-9668 or toll free (888) CONIG-25
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Thermometers/
Thermostats (Mercury)
- Accepted from
Cambridge residents at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center during open hours.
Bring mercury thermometer in an empty soda bottle.
- Visit the EPA's website
on mercury thermometers for a list of
frequently asked questions and information about
what to do if a thermometer breaks.
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Tires
The following companies take approximately 1-10
tires for a fee:
- ADVANCED TIRE
(617) 864-8989, 185 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
Charges $3.00 per tire.
- CENTURY TIRE COMPANY
(617) 547-7878, 263 Beacon St, Somerville, MA
Charges $2.75 per tire.
-
GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CENTER
(617) 628-7800, 1 Bow Street, Somerville,
MA
Charges $3.00 per tire
-
LINER TIRE COMPANY
(617) 232-4869, 128 Boylston Street, Brookline
Charges $3.00 per tire
-
NATIONAL TIRE & BATTERY
(617) 783-8212, 201 Cambridge Street, Allston
Charges $3.00 per tire
- Accepted from
Cambridge residents at Household
Hazardous Waste Collection.
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Toilets
- Cambridge residents may put out 1 sink or
toilet for curbside trash pickup on their regular
collection day.
- A-1 NEW & USED PLUMBING & HEATING
SUPPLIES
(617) 625-6140, Somerville
Accepts home heating radiators of any sort and
some toilets that are not chipped, cracked or
otherwise broken. Must call first.
- CONIGLIARO
INDUSTRIES
Toll-free 1-888-266-4425, (508) 872-9668, 701
Waverly Street, Framingham
Accepted for recycling. Please call first. Drop
off hours are 7-3:30 Mon-Fri.
$15 per toilet if dropped off. $190 if they
have to pick up from your location.
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Water
Cooler Bottles
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Yard Waste
- Accepted for curbside
recycling from Cambridge residents
beginning the first full week of April through
the second week of December.
- MICH-LIN TRANSFER STATION
(617) 354-7580, 50 Mooney Street, Cambridge,
MA
$30 for up to 8 yards of yard waste and $5 for
each additional yard. Includes leaves, trees
and general yard waste. $135.00 fee per per
ton.
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