Solid Waste - Banned Materials

Overview

Hazardous and recyclable items are banned from disposal or transfer for disposal at solid waste facilities in Massachusetts per Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) waste ban regulations, 310 CMR 19.017. Please see the Massachusetts Waste Ban for more information.

Important: Sharps Disposal Ban Effective July 1, 2012

Disposal of all used and unused/unopened home sharps in household trash or recycling is prohibited by Massachusetts state law. Home sharps includes hypodermic needles and lancets that result from personal use or use on pets.

Examples of Banned Materials

Waste Ban materials include but are not limited to:

  • Automobile and truck tires
  • Construction and demolition waste
  • Glass containers
  • Hazardous waste
  • Lead-acid batteries
  • Leaves and yard waste
  • Metal containers
  • Paper and Cardboard
  • Recyclable paper Cathode ray tubes (TVs and computer monitors)
  • Single resin narrow-necked plastics
  • Tires
  • Tree and landscaping waste
  • White goods

Construction & Demolition Waste Ban Details

Materials generated from, but not limited to, the processes of construction, demolition, and renovation, including domestic home improvements.

This includes anything that has been permanently affixed to a residence such as wall-to-wall carpeting and fixtures. To dispose of this waste please call a private hauler or transport it to a commercial transfer station.

Leaf & Yard Waste Ban Details

  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Other similar compostable materials
  • Plant cuttings
  • Shrub trimmings
  • Tree branches and vines not exceeding 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length
  • Please see yard waste collection for information on how to dispose of yard waste.

Tree & Landscaping Waste Ban Details

  • Bricks
  • Concrete
  • Fencing
  • Manure
  • Rocks
  • Sand
  • Sod
  • Soil
  • Tree stumps
  • Trunks or limbs 4 inches or more in diameter and/or 4 feet or more in length
  • Wood
  • Wood chips

Hazardous Waste Ban Details

All products which are deemed as hazardous waste, either by state guidelines or by the Director of Public Health, cannot be given for curbside collection and must be removed either by a private certified removal company, or be disposed of during the city household hazardous waste collection day. Please see hazardous waste disposal for more information.