What Can I Recycle

Call with your recycling questions 781-453-0853

Needham Recycling and Disposal is the #1 recycler in the town we do not use single stream.

Mixed Paper
No Charge

  • Newspapers and inserts
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Paperboard Boxes – cereal, pasta, toiletries, office supplies bag of newspaper(plastic windows are okay)
  • Shredded paper
  • Brochures and fliers (including glossy paper)
  • File folders and manila envelopes
  • Telephone books
  • Soft cover books (hard covers go in trash)
  • Spiral notebooks (remove cover if not cardboard)
  • Wrapping paper (no metallic, foils or plastic. No ribbons or bows)
  • Paper bags
  • Junk mail and envelopes of all types (windows and labels are okay)
  • Colored paper

It’s okay to recycle paper with:

  • Paper clips
  • Staples and clasps
  • Plastic windows
  • Self-stick labels and tape
  • Metal spirals

Please don’t recycle:

  • Candy wrappers
  • Mailing envelopes with bubble wrap
  • Tyvek mailing envelopes
  • Paper towels, napkins, tissues
  • Paper cups or plates
  • Self-stick label backing
  • Photographs
  • Soiled paper

Corrugated Cardboard Boxes
No Charge Cardboard must be folded and broken down. Unfolded cardbaord has a handling fee $$

  • Packaging tape is okay
  • Must be flattened
  • Do not recycle waxed cardboard

Picture of items that can go in Commingled Recycling collectionsGlass, Metal & Plastic Household Product Containers

No Charge

  • All plastic bottles and jars (milk, water, juice, salad dressing, laundry detergent, shampoo, dish soap, etc.).
  • Plastics #1 to #7.
  • Leave caps on.
  • Plastic food tubs and lids (cottage cheese, margarine, yogurt, etc.)
  • Plastic flower pots that have been cleaned out (flimsy plastic post should be disposed of as trash)
  • Glass bottles / jars (any color)
  • Clean metal cans and lids (tin / steel / aluminum, empty aerosol)
  • Aluminum (pie plates / trays / foil)

It’s OK to:

  • Leave lids, rings and labels on

Please don’t recycle:

  • Styrofoam (no cups, trays, or block)
  • Plastic bags (take back to the grocery store)
  • Milk and juice cartons; juice boxes; aseptic cartons
  • Ceramics, porcelain, china, or opaque glass
  • Pyrex
  • Window glass
  • Drinking glasses, bowls, mugs, pots and pans
  • Light bulbs
  • VCR tapes–these should go in with trash

Organic Material

Leaves, Brush and Christmas Trees have a handling fee.