Waltham operates a mandatory single-stream recycling program. Paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles, and plastics 1-5 and 7 must be separated from trash and placed in blue recycling carts.
Waltham requires residents to recycle designated materials under the Massachusetts waste ban regulations (310 CMR 19.017) and city ordinance. Accepted recyclables placed loose in the blue cart include: paper (newspaper, magazines, junk mail, office paper), flattened cardboard and paperboard, glass bottles and jars (rinsed), metal cans (aluminum and steel), and plastic containers marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Plastic bags, plastic film, styrofoam, food waste, clothing, and tanglers (hoses, cords, chains) are NOT accepted in the blue cart and contaminate loads. Plastic bags can be returned to grocery store drop-off bins. Residents should rinse containers, remove caps where required, and break down cardboard boxes. Repeat contamination may result in rejection of the cart or warnings. Yard waste is collected seasonally in separate paper bags or bundles, not in the recycling cart.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Waltham, MA
Waltham sits under Boston Logan arrival corridors and is affected by federal FAA regulations, with local enforcement limited to ground noise.
Waltham, MA
Waltham permits leaf blowers during daytime hours only, with seasonal restrictions being debated as part of regional Boston suburb trends.
Waltham, MA
Waltham enforces nighttime quiet hours under Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code, with stricter limits in residential zones near Brandeis and Bentley campuses.
Waltham, MA
Construction noise in Waltham is restricted to daytime hours to protect residential neighborhoods and students living near Brandeis and Bentley Universities.
Waltham, MA
Waltham requires electrical permits for home EV chargers and follows Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code requiring EV-ready parking in new multifamily and comm...
Waltham, MA
Waltham enforces metered parking downtown, resident permit zones in dense neighborhoods, and a citywide winter parking ban during snow emergencies.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle recycling requirements.
See how Waltham'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.