Massachusetts bans disposal of recyclable materials including glass, metal, paper, cardboard, and certain organics from landfills and incinerators statewide.
Under G.L. c. 21H and 310 CMR 19.017, MassDEP prohibits the disposal of designated materials in solid waste facilities. Banned items include glass and metal containers, recyclable paper and cardboard, single-resin plastics #1 and #2, leaf and yard waste, white goods, cathode ray tubes, treated/untreated wood (commercial), and as of November 2022, commercial organic waste exceeding one-half ton per week. The bans apply to haulers and facilities statewide regardless of municipal program differences.
Haulers and facilities face MassDEP penalties up to $25,000 per violation per day for accepting banned materials in disposal loads.
See how North Plymouth's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.