Beacon Hill Civic Association Community Corner

Trash and Recycling 101

With so many new residents moving into the neighborhood and others soon to return from a long summer away, the Beacon Hill Civic Association wants to talk trash again.

Most likely it’s a topic frequently discussed since the neighborhood association was founded 95 years ago. There is no doubt that handling trash and recycling properly reduces litter and rodent activity, and contributes largely to making this neighborhood a livable one!

For both those new to the neighborhood and longtime residents, here’s what you need to know: Household trash is collected by the Boston Department of Public Works every Monday and Friday. Trash should be placed in heavy duty black bags, not small grocery or kitchen bags. It should be set out for collection on the curb by 7 a.m. on the collection day or after dark on the night before. Residents are strongly encouraged to wait until the morning of collection day to set out their trash in order to reduce spillage, scavenging and rodents.

Household trash may not be set out at any other times nor may it be placed in the city trash barrels on Charles or Cambridge streets. Building and construction materials may not be put out for city pick up. The existing trash regulations are strictly enforced. Residents seeing trash improperly handled are encouraged to report such violations to the city by calling 617-635-4896 or 311, tweeting @BOS311 or using the BOS:311 app. Landlords should let their tenants know of these rules, as the City can give violation tickets to the owner if trash is improperly put out. Recycling is also collected on Monday and Friday. All recyclable materials may be mixed together and placed in clear plastic bags, which should be set on the curb by 7 a.m. on the collection days or after dark the evening before. Recycling bags should be put about four feet from the black bags containing trash in order to help collectors distinguish between the two.

Items that can be recycled include newspapers, magazines and catalogues, junk mail, white and colored paper, brown bags, telephone books, flattened food boxes, paperback books, milk and juice cartons, flattened cardboard boxes (no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet), empty pizza boxes, glass bottles and jars , tin and aluminum cans, foil, and pie plates (lids and labels are OK), all plastic containers (caps and lids included; no motor oil or chemical containers), cardboard and spiral cans (like potato chip, coffee, and nut cans) and rigid plastics (such as laundry baskets, buckets, and tos).

Items not to be recycled include Styrofoam, plastic bags, motor oil containers, chemical containers, ceramics or dishes, light bulbs, window glass and mirrors, yard waste, food waste, televisions and computer monitors.

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