Newton offers weekly single-stream recycling for paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastics 1-7. Contaminated bins may not be collected, and Massachusetts bans certain materials from trash.
Newton operates a single-stream recycling program where residents place all accepted recyclables together in their blue recycling cart without sorting. Accepted items include paper, cardboard (flattened), glass bottles and jars, metal cans, aluminum, and rigid plastics numbered 1 through 7. Items must be empty, clean, and dry. Plastic bags, film, Styrofoam, and tanglers (hoses, cords, clothing) are not accepted and cause major contamination problems at MRFs. Under Massachusetts waste bans (310 CMR 19.017), the following cannot go in trash: cardboard, paper, glass, metal containers, single resin narrow-neck plastics, leaves, yard waste, wood, textiles (effective 2022), and mattresses. Newton collects yard waste separately during spring and fall seasons in paper yard waste bags or labeled barrels. Contaminated recycling bins (over 10 percent non-recyclable content) may be left uncollected with an education tag explaining the issue.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Newton, MA
Industrial and commercial noise in Newton must meet property-line decibel limits by zoning district, with mechanical equipment, HVAC, and loading docks close...
Newton, MA
Newton follows the state stretch energy code requiring EV-ready wiring in new construction. Residential Level 2 chargers need electrical permits; commercial ...
Newton, MA
Under MGL c.90 s.22D, Newton can tow vehicles left on public ways for more than 72 hours. Unregistered or inoperable vehicles on private property must be sto...
Newton, MA
Newton requires curb cut permits from DPW for new driveways, with maximum widths of 20 feet for single-family homes. Impervious surface coverage is limited b...
Newton, MA
Massachusetts MGL Chapter 49 governs boundary fences between neighbors, establishing shared maintenance where fences are mutual and providing fence viewer pr...
Newton, MA
Retaining walls in Newton over 4 feet in height measured from footing to top require a building permit and engineered design per 780 CMR.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle recycling requirements.
See how Newton's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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