What Can Be Recycled

Metal

Type accepted: Food and Beverage Cans, Aluminum foil. Empty and rinse containers (no food!). Labels are OK.

Plastic

Type accepted: The numbers on plastics are not great indicators of whether something can be recycled. If they are clean and empty plastic bottles, jars, jugs or tubs, they are what we are looking for. Empty and replace cap. Labels are OK.

Not accepted: Styrofoam is NOT recyclable. Place these items in the trash. Plastic bags are NOT recyclable in your curbside bin. Do not bag recyclables.

Glass

Type accepted: Clear and colored glass, all sizes. Rinse and remove lids. Labels are OK.

Paper & Cardboard

Type accepted: All types of paper, envelopes, phone books, cardboard, boxes, and glossy paper.

Not accepted: Paper/cardboard milk cartons, juice cartons, and broth type packaging are NOT recyclable. Place these items in the trash.

Unacceptable Items

Food or liquid can contaminate recyclable materials. Please empty and rinse food containers before placing them into your recycling bin.

Hoses, wires, batteries, glassware, light bulbs, mirrors, window glass, spray cans, motor oil cans, window frames, house siding, chemical containers, and electronics do NOT belong in your curbside recycling bin.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are a major problem at Materials Recovery Facilities — those processing your recyclables. Plastic bags bind up machinery at the sorting facility, decreasing efficiency, increasing costs, and creating a safety risk to workers. Most Medford & surrounding area supermarkets accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling at no cost. Visit the Wrap Recycling Action Council to find a nearby drop-off location. If no stores near you accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling, throw these items in the trash.

Clothing and Textile Recycling

The City partners with Helpsy to collect unwanted clothing and other textiles in order to keep clothes out of landfills. Helpsy requires a three bag minimum for pickups to optimize routes and reduce environmental impact. Learn more and schedule a pickup here.

Bagged clothing and other acceptable textiles can be dropped off at collection bins located at each of Medford’s Public Schools. Donated items are collected by Bay State Textiles and generate funding for each school’s PTO.

Textile Drop-Box Locations:

• Curtis/Tufts School: 437 Main Street. In the back parking lot there are two drop boxes near the entrance to the basketball court.
• McGlynn Elementary and Middle School: 3002 Mystic Valley Parkway. In front of the school.
• Missituk Elementary School: 37 Hicks Avenue. Left of the front door.

Appliances and Electronics

Recycle white goods, appliances, metal items, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and exercise equipment for $26 per item. Recycle televisions and monitors for $40 per item.

• Eligible residents must contact WM to schedule & pay for bulky item collections.
• Please visit wm.com or call (800) 972-4545 to schedule a pickup.
• These items will only be picked up on Tuesdays.

Mercury Disposal

Mercury-bearing items, such as button cell batteries, cell phones, CF bulbs, and thermometers, can be recycled at City Hall Room 304 (DPW). Fluorescent tube lights are also accepted for recycling. Note that fluorescent tube drop-offs are limited to those no more than 4 feet long, with a maximum of 4 tubes per drop-off. If bulbs are broken, please call the DPW 781-393-2417 to schedule a pick up.

Ni-Cad Battery and Cell Phone Drop-off

Nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries and cellular phones may be recycled at City Hall Room 304 (DPW). Ni-Cad batteries are commonly found in camcorders, cordless and cell phones. Cell phones will be shipped off-site and recycled. For more information, please call the DPW at 781-393-2417.

For more information on trash, recycling, and composting, visit Medford’s general waste & recycling page.

All trash & recycling questions/concerns should go to Waste Management (800) 972-4545 or https://www.wm.com/us

• Waste Management Trash & Recycling Schedule 
• Trash must be out by curb by 7 a.m. morning of collection
• Trash collection will be delayed one day during a holiday week
• Household trash consists of food waste, clothing, soiled items, unwanted items, etc. Glass, aluminum, plastic, etc. can be recycled
• Bedding, furniture, bulk items require an appointment – please call 800-972-4545 for collection
• Building materials will not be collected -please contact a private hauler to remove these items. Building materials consist of of: windows, doors, paneling, 2×4’s, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, etc.
• Propane tanks will not be collected: Please take to B.J.’s Warehouse on Middlesex Ave or a local swap store for a filled tank
• Shrubs, hedges and tree limbs over 3’ and 3” diameter will not be collected
• No hazardous material: There is a HHP (Household Hazardous Product) drop-off open to Medford residents in Lexington.
• Rugs and carpeting may be put out curbside; must be rolled and tied- please call WM for bulk collection 800-972-4545
• Trash must be in proper refuse containers i.e. green or blue barrels issued by the city
• Lawnmowers and snow blowers will be collected- please remove fuel tank

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