Single stream materials include cardboard, paper, and plastic, metal and glass containers which are included on the MassDEP’s list of waste bans and cannot be placed in the trash.
Keep Recyclable Materials Loose
Follow these steps when bags are used to collect recyclables.
Twin The Bins
Pair trash and recycling bins whenever possible.
Leave Bags Untied
If bags are used, leave them untied so they are easy to empty.
Color-Code And Label
Make recycling bins easy to identify and locate.
Empty Recyclables
Empty recycling from bags into the recycling bin.
Reuse Or Dispose
Reuse plastic bags or dispose of them in the trash.
Keep Plastic Bags Out Of
Single-Stream Recycling
While recycling can be collected in bags, it should be noted that plastic bags cannot be included in single-stream recycling and the collected material should be emptied into the dumpster and the plastic bag discarded in the trash.
Plastic bags can become tangled in recycling equipment and create delays, injuries, and extra costs.
RecycleSmartMA.org provides guidance on accepted and non-accepted materials for Massachusetts recycling programs.
Business Guidance
Hauler Contracting Guidance
MassDEP Initiative
Recycle Smart MA
Recycle Smart MA is a MassDEP recycling initiative and on the homepage of the website is a Recyclopedia which enables users to search hundreds of items to learn how to properly manage them.
