Recycling

Recycling of paper, cardboard (pdf) and non-toxic household containers (pdf) (bottles, tubs, jars, cans, cartons and jugs) is required in Northampton. Detailed information (pdf) to help you sort trash and recyclables efficiently is available on the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility’s (MRF) website.

The purchase of a Transfer Station permit allows residents to bring their own household recycling and trash to the Locust Street Transfer Station and grants access to other free recycling services, including automotive and vegetable oil, bulky rigid plastic, and scrap metal recycling. A food and paper waste composting service is also included free of charge.

If you contract with a private residential waste hauler for trash pickup, curbside recycling of only household containers and paper is included in their service package. Several private haulers offer curbside food compost pick-up as well.

Please note that bulky rigid plastic recycling requirements (pdf) changed in 2017.  The only bulky plastic items now acceptable are bins, baskets, buckets, crates and lawn furniture. Disposal fees now apply for some plastic items (pdf) formerly considered recyclable.

Other Recycling Resources

In addition to the information available on the Springfield MRF website, there are a number of local and state directories that offer useful information about recycling your household items.

• The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection offers several helpful webpages, including Recycle Smart, which focuses on household paper and container recycling, Beyond the Bin Recycling Directory, and Donation & Reuse options  (the last two tend to be Eastern Mass oriented).
  
• Who Takes What is an online directory that provides reuse and recycling options within the Pioneer Valley.
• Each year the Daily Hampshire Gazette publishes a Reduce Reuse Recycle guide, which provides an exhaustive "What do I do with" listing (see pages 14-15).  The information in this year’s Guide is current through April 2021.