Recycling & Solid Waste
What's Recyclable?
Don't Forget to Reuse When Possible!
Paper
Keep these materials together and separate from commingled containers. All paper and cardboard must be clean and dry.
Massachusetts Recyclable Papers - detailed list (PDF file)
- Junk mail — Remove plastic overwraps, but plastic windows within the envelopes can remain.
- Boxboard — Cereal, shoe, cracker boxes, etc. Remove plastic liners.
- Newspapers/inserts.
- Magazines/catalogs.
- Paper bags.
- White and colored office paper.
- Computer paper.
- Corrugated cardboard — Flatten, remove tape and string.
- Paperbacks & phone books — Remove covers.
- No soda or beer holders/cartons. These are made from previously recycled paper.
- No waxed paper or waxed cardboard.
- No pizza boxes, egg cartons or wrapping paper. These have food or clay coatings attached which contaminate machinery, or have been previously recycled, making them unmarketable.
Containers
Rinse. Keep these materials together and separate from paper.
- Glass bottles/jars — only clear, green, brown, less than 2 gallons. Labels, lids, corks, neck rings, etc. are ok.
- Aluminum — tin/steel cans and lids and aluminum foil. Labels are ok.
- Milk & juice cartons (tent top), drink boxes. Remove straws & caps, flatten.
- Plastic bottles, jars, tubs and microwave trays/containers — Remove caps, lids, pumps and wraps. Labels and detergent spouts may be left on. Hard plastics with recycling symbols and numbers 1 through 7 are okay. Styrofoam trays or packing are not currently recyclable in our area.
Tips for Recycling Other Materials...
- Rechargeable and "button" type Batteries — Most electronics and hardware stores accept used rechargeable and "button" batteries, which contain mercury and other toxic metals. They are banned from disposal in the trash stream. We also accept these items, at the Town Hall during regular business hours and during Bulky Waste Day events. Alkaline batteries (AA through D sizes) may be discarded in your regular trash.
- Fluorescent bulbs and mercury-bearing devices — These are banned from the waste stream, just as the batteries described above. These are recyclable at the Town Hall during regular hours, and at Bulky Waste events. Please package your bulbs, fever thermometers, and heating thermostats to prevent breakage and mercury release, before you turn them in to us.
- Clothing and Furniture — The Amherst Survival Center accepts reusable clothing, furniture and small appliances in good condition, to assist needy area residents. They partner with us on Bulky Waste Days to divert such items from our waste stream. Call them at 549-3968 ext. 206 to discuss your potential donations.
- Toner and Printer Cartridges —The Shutesbury Special Education Parent's Advisory Council (SpedPac) collects reusable laser toner and various computer printer cartridges, using the redemption funds to stock their reference library. If your cartridges are listed at http://www.cfktoday.com/prices.html you can bring them to the elementary school, Town Hall, or Bulky Waste Days to donate and recycle them. Please package them to avoid leakage.
- Books — Donate to libraries. Some book stores buy used books.
- Wire Hangers — Accepted by many dry cleaners in the region. May be accepted in scrap metal locally.
- Plastic Bags — Recyled at some area supermarkets. Call 1-800-438- 5856 for location nearest you.
- Polystyrene "Peanuts" — Call 1-800-282-2214 for the peanuts collection nearest you or call 1-800-789-4623 for nearest Mailboxes Etc.