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Sustainable Cambridge > Reduce Waste, Recycle, and Conserve Water
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Reduce Waste, Recycle, and Conserve Water

Cambridge diverts more waste than it sends into the trash, and the City is moving swiftly toward its goal of reducing its trash by 80% by 2050. Use this page to be part of those efforts.

Blue Cart Recycling

A group of people placing recyclables in a recycling bin

Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces pollution, saves energy, and reduces landfill waste. It supports a sustainable economy and environment. For all those reasons, recycling is mandatory in Cambridge, and the City makes it easy with free weekly curbside recycling collection for residential buildings and some small businesses. The Cambridge Department of Public Works’ recycling pages include an online tool that helps you identify how to recycle or dispose of different kinds of waste. Use your big blue cart to recycle metal cans, tin foil, plastic containers, paper and cardboard, and glass bottles and jars.

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Curbside Food Waste Collection

Food waste in landfills produces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. That’s why Massachusetts has restricted food waste disposal in landfills for more than a decade and Cambridge has offered free curbside food waste collection for years. Beginning in 2027, the City is requiring food waste to be kept out of the trash, and instead be made into clean energy. The food waste you put in your green bin helps power the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District, one of the first net zero wastewater treatment facilities in the U.S.

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Clothing and Textile Recycling

Donate Textiles

Nearly all textiles and recycling can be reused or repurposed. There are drop-off bins at locations across the City, or you can schedule a free pick-up of textiles. Any clothing that is clean and dry is accepted, even if it has stains or missing buttons. Don’t forget linens, towels, shoes, and accessories, like hats, gloves, socks, underwear, belts, purses, handbags, of any style, age or condition.

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Mattress Recycling

Mattress Collection

Massachusetts has banned mattresses and box springs from disposal as trash because they’re expensive to transport, hard to compact, take up lots of landfill space, and can damage incinerator processing equipment. They are also made up of mostly recyclable materials. The Cambridge Department of Public Works offers a collection program for a $45 fee per mattress and box spring.

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Conserve Water

Rain barrels

Residents can help protect local reservoir levels during droughts and prevent stress on the municipal water system by conserving water in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. It’s also a good idea to check for leaks, and consider replacing water-intensive appliances. You can use a rain barrel for an additional, free water supply to use on lawns, gardens, or plants by capturing rainwater from the roof for later use.

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