Lexington, Massachusetts: Recycling

Curbside Trash Guidelines

Trash and Recycling Schedule by Street Name

Holidays That Delay Trash/Recycling Pickup

How Can I Get Rid of...?

Donate, Don't Dispose...

YardWaste & Composting

Hazardous Waste

Environmental Services Division

Recycling in Lexington

Place recyclables at the curb at least 8 feet away from your trash before 7 a.m. on your recycling day. Pick-up cannot be guaranteed if the recyclables are placed at the curb later than 7 a.m. The recycling pick up schedule will be impacted during weeks which include a Town of Lexington observed holiday.

	Lexington operates a two-sort recycling program: paper is separated from plastic, glass, metal, and asceptic containers. If you do not have a separate recycling bin for paper, you may put mixed paper in a paper bag in the same bin as other recyclables. Shredded paper must be put in a paper bag and stapled closed.
	Lexington residents are allowed 2 free recycling bins per household; additional bins can be purchased for $6.00 at the DPW Operations Facility at 201 Bedford Street. Recycling bins purchased from private retailers may also be used.

Any visible recyclables in the trash will be left behind by the trash collectors who will leave stickers explaining why the items were not picked up. The Town enforces the State Waste Bans which forbids recyclables from entering the waste stream.

Much of the information below is contained in the Recycling and Trash Guidelines flyer that was mailed to all residents.

Material	What to Recycle	How to Prepare	Do Not Include
Paper	Newspapers/inserts Magazines, phone books, and catalogs Junk mail Office paper Paperboard (cereal and shoe boxes etc.) Paperback and hardcover books Clean pizza boxes	Mixed paper may be placed loose in a separate bin from containers, or in brown paper bags in the same bin Shredded paper must be put in a paper bag, stapled closed and placed in or on top of paper recycling bin Paperboard flattened, foil and liners removed Remove covers on Hardcover books	Food-soiled paper/boxes Plastic bags Soiled Pizza boxes
Plastic	Soda and detergent bottles Styrofoam cups and trays Yogurt cartons Plastic milk, juice, and water jugs All numbered 1 - 7 containers	Rinse and clean Crush Remove caps and covers	Plastic bags - recycle at grocery stores Motor oil or chemical containers Unclean Flower pots Styrofoam packing - put in trash
Glass	Clear, green and brown food and beverage containers only	Rinse and clean Collars, neck rings, and labels ok	Corks Broken glass Ceramics, window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, or drinking glasses
Metal	Deposit and non-deposit beverage cans Metal food cans Aluminum pie plates and trays	Rinse and clean Crush Labels ok	Aluminum foil, paint cans, metal items, aerosol cans, or coat hangers
Aseptic Cartons	Milk and juice cartons Juice boxes	Rinse and clean Remove straws	Soiled boxes, cartons, or straws
Corrugated Cardboard Boxes	Curbside collection: Flatten/pull boxes apart, cut cardboard to 48" x 48" or less to fit in truck Multiple pieces of corrugated must be tied, bundled and placed next to the recycle bin. Multiple pieces can also be unbundled but placed in, under or between recycling bins. Clean pizza boxes may be recycled. Soiled pizza boxes cannot be recycled and must be thrown in the trash. Drop-off options: Bring flattened cardboard, no larger than 3', to container located at 60 Hartwell Ave. Composting Facility. Flattened cardboard no larger than 5' is accepted at the 24 hour cardboard container dropoff in front of the DPW Operations Facility at 201 Bedford Street.

When you buy items or packaging made from recycled materials, you "close the loop" by creating markets for the use of recycled materials. For further information on recycled content and environmentally preferable products call 617-720-3356 or go to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Products website.

For more information on recycling options and green living please visit the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website.

Lexington residents are allowed 2 free recycling bins per household; additional bins can be purchased for $6.00 at the DPW Operations Facility at 201 Bedford Street. Recycling bins purchased from private retailers may also be used.