Curbside Recycling

EL Harvey provides all of our other curbside recycling services

Getting Recycling Bins

  • Each Lexington household gets two recycling bins free.
  • Additional recycling bins are available from the Department of Public Works for $6. The Department of Public Works is located at:
    201 Bedford Street
    Lexington, MA 02420
  • You can also make your own recycling bin from a container you already own. Either mark it "Recycling" with a waterproof marker, or pick up a free recycling decal from the Department of Public Works.

Putting out Your Recycling

  • Please place your recycling far enough from your trash that it can be easily recognized as recycling
  • Glass, plastic, food cartons and metal can be put into a bin together.

Recyclables You Can Put out for Pickup

There are several categories of recyclables they will pick up.

Paper

  • Newspapers/inserts
  • Magazines, phone books, and catalogs
  • Junk mail
  • Office paper
  • Paperboard (cereal and shoe boxes etc.)
  • Paperback and hardcover books
  • Pizza boxes (Must be empty. Grease is okay!) - Fold inside out to ensure the pizza box is empty

How to Prepare

  • Mixed paper may be placed loose in a separate bin from containers, or in brown paper bags in the same bin
  • Paperboard flattened, foil and liners removed
  • Remove covers on Hardcover books

Do Not Include

  • Food-soiled paper
  • Plastic bags

Plastic

  • All numbered 1, 2 and 5 containers
  • Soda and detergent bottles
  • Yogurt cartons, dairy tubs
  • Plastic milk, juice, and water jugs

How to Prepare

  • Rinse and clean - labels are okay

Do Not Include

  • Plastic bags - recycle at grocery stores
  • Motor oil or chemical containers
  • Unclean flower pots
  • Styrofoam - put in trash
  • Plastic toys

Glass

  • Clear, green and brown food and beverage containers only

How to Prepare

Rinse and clean - collars, neck rings, and labels are okay

Do Not Include

  • 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

How to Prepare

  • Rinse and clean - labels are okay
  • Crush
  • Lids can be secured inside by crushing

Do Not Include

  • Paint cans
  • Aerosol cans
  • Coat hangers
  • Other metal items

Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

How to Prepare

  • Flatten/pull boxes apart, cut cardboard to 36 inches by 36 inches or less to fit in a 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.
  • Empty pizza boxes - Grease is okay! Fold inside out to ensure the pizza box is empty.

Drop-off Options

Flattened cardboard no larger than 5 feet is accepted at the Compost Facility and in the Police Station parking lot.