Cambridge mandates curbside single-stream recycling and weekly curbside composting. State waste bans prohibit disposal of cardboard, glass, metal, paper, textiles, mattresses, and food waste over one ton.
Cambridge operates a single-stream recycling program in which paper, cardboard, rigid plastics (numbers 1, 2, and 5), metal cans, and glass bottles are collected together in the blue cart. Plastic bags, film, and foam are not accepted curbside but may be returned to participating retailers. Cambridge is one of the first Massachusetts cities to offer universal residential curbside composting: food scraps, soiled paper, and compostable bags are collected weekly in the green cart. Under MassDEP regulations (310 CMR 19.017), disposal of recyclable materials in the trash is prohibited, and commercial generators of more than one ton of food waste per week must divert it from disposal. Violators may receive warnings followed by fines.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge enforces numerical decibel limits: 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at residential receptors, with a 5 dBA penalty for tonal or impulsive sounds.
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge treats persistent barking as a noise violation under Chapter 8.16 and an animal nuisance under Chapter 6.04; owners of chronically barking dogs fac...
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge banned gas-powered leaf blowers in 2024, requiring all landscapers and residents to switch to electric models, with time and decibel restrictions r...
Cambridge, MA
Outdoor music events in Cambridge require a one-day entertainment license from the License Commission, with end times typically capped at 10 PM on weeknights...
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge enforces strict industrial and commercial noise limits: 60 dB days and 50 dB nights at residential property lines, aligned with MassDEP Policy 90-001.
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge reserves designated EV charging station spaces for actively charging electric vehicles only, and new large developments must provide EV-ready parki...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle recycling requirements.
See how Cambridge's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.