Skip to content

READER QUESTION: What can I recycle in Winchester?

What can you recycle? Check out these types of things you can and cannot recycle. COURTESY PHOTO/RECYCLESMARTMA.ORG

Table of Contents

A reader recently asked Winchester News what can be recycled in the community. In Arlington, where trash is picked up weekly, black plastic isn’t allowed in the recycle bins, but in Winchester it’s a different story. 

“Black plastic makes up a fairly small percentage of the recyclable material we take in and we have not exceeded the 8% acceptable limits of non-recyclable material,” said Transfer Station Manager Nick Parlee. “We haven’t exceeded that acceptable limit in my five years in Winchester.”

A list of what can and cannot be accepted at the Winchester transfer station. COURTESY PHOTO/ AUGUST WESTNER

He recommends residents look at the state Recycle Smart MA website, which not only lists what can be recycled (although it says “no black plastic”) but also shows where Winchester recyclables go.   

Most residents know that it’s easy to recycle metal and plastic containers, but it’s important to make sure they’re clean. Pizza boxes can be recycled even if they’re greasy, as long as they don’t have food attached. 

In many places in the state, these types of black containers are not recyclable. COURTESY PHOTO/AMAZON.COM

Folks sometimes wonder about cords and cables, but anything that could tangle isn’t allowed. Fabrics aren’t allowed either — a state law requires they be disposed of elsewhere and Parlee said the Red Cross boxes at the transfer station entrance is a good place for them. 

The Red Cross, he added, sells fabric to be made into insulation if it’s not usable. 

Other items that cannot be recycled include tissue paper used in gift bags, and cards with glitter. 

A resident empties recyclables into a receptacle. COURTESY PHOTO/AUGUST WESTNER

A fun activity for all ages is Recycle Smart’s quiz.

Parlee also said the town plans “to address the issue of recyclables do’s and don’ts with a direct mailer to all residents who purchased a permit this year.”

Here’s more information about the transfer station, a film your writer co-produced, This is Winchester: The Transfer Station is not a Dump.

Have you got a question you would like Winchester News to answer? Email us at editor@winchesternews.org.

Winchester News is a non-profit organization supported by our community. If you appreciate having local Winchester news, please donate to support our work, and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.

Latest

Winchester musicians shine at 10th Cape Ann Jazz Workshop

Winchester musicians shine at 10th Cape Ann Jazz Workshop

The following was submitted by Rockport Music: More than 60 young musicians across 19 Eastern Massachusetts communities will enjoy the learning opportunity of a lifetime over the next two weeks at Rockport Music’s annual Cape Ann Jazz Workshop. The workshop, now in its 10th year and second at Endicott

Winchester High School alum named editor-in-chief of SAIL Magazine

Winchester High School alum named editor-in-chief of SAIL Magazine

The following was submitted by SAIL Magazine: Firecrown Media has announced the promotion of Lydia Mullan to editor-in-chief of SAIL Magazine. Mullan has been with SAIL for nearly eight years, most recently as managing editor. She has twice been named the marine industry’s best adventure writer by Boating Writers

Wakefield to celebrate first Jewish Cultural Festival

Wakefield to celebrate first Jewish Cultural Festival

The following was submitted by Chabad of Wakefield: On Sunday, Aug. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m., Chabad of Wakefield will host the town’s first-ever Jewish Cultural Festival at the historic bandstand on the Wakefield Common. This community-wide event is expected to draw hundreds of attendees from Wakefield

  Subscribe