Recycling Requirements: Lowell vs Wakefield
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Lowell, MA and Wakefield, MA?
Lowell has fewer restrictions than Wakefield.
Lowell, MA
Middlesex County
Lowell offers weekly single-stream curbside recycling. Paper, cardboard, metal cans, and accepted plastics must be clean and placed in the city recycling bin on collection day.
View full Lowell rules →Wakefield, MA
Middlesex County
Recycling is mandatory statewide under MGL c.21H and 310 CMR 19.017. Residents must separate paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and plastic containers from trash.
View full Wakefield rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lowell | Wakefield |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | Weekly single stream | - |
| Accepted Plastics | #1, #2, #5 | - |
| Not Accepted | Bags, film, tanglers | - |
| State Ban | MassDEP bans listed recyclables from trash | - |
| Contamination | Can reject whole load | - |
| State Law | - | MGL c.21H |
| Waste Bans | - | 310 CMR 19.017 |
| Collection Type | - | Single-stream |
| Commercial Food Threshold | - | 1/2 ton per week |
| Electronics | - | Banned from trash |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lowell FAQ
Do I need to separate paper from containers?
No. Lowell uses single-stream; everything recyclable goes in the same bin.
Are pizza boxes accepted?
Clean pizza boxes are accepted; greasy portions should be torn off and thrown away.
Wakefield FAQ
Can I put plastic bags in recycling?
No. Plastic bags and film tangle sorting equipment. Return them to grocery store drop-off bins. Only rigid plastic containers belong in curbside recycling.
What happens if my recycling is contaminated?
You may receive a warning sticker and your cart could be left behind. Repeated contamination can result in loss of recycling service in some cities.
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