Brockton, MA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 8-3.1(e)
- Cardboard size limit
- 2 feet by 2 feet or smaller
- Plastics accepted
- Codes #1 through #7
- Excluded items
- Ceramic plates, mirrors, drinking glasses
- Adopted
- Ord. No. F006, 10-10-2001; amended Ord. K11, 6-29-2017
Summary
Brockton's code defines exactly which materials qualify as recyclables for curbside pickup: paper products, cardboard under 2 by 2 feet, aluminum and steel food containers, glass, and plastics numbered #1 through #7. Ceramics, mirrors and drinking glasses are excluded.
(e)Recyclables shall mean the following items placed untied in reusable containers: newspapers, including, without limitation, news and inserts; magazines, catalogues and telephone books; draft paper, white paper, computer printout paper, box board (clean frozen vegetable containers; cereal boxes, pasta boxes, etc.); paper bags, mail, manila folders and envelopes; corrugated cardboard that is 2' × 2' or smaller; aluminum food and beverage containers (including pet food containers); aluminum foil and pie plates; coated steel food and beverage containers (lids and labels may be included); clear, green and brown glass, food and beverage containers (labels, caps and rings may be included); and clean plastic containers (#1—#7), labels and caps may be included. Ceramic plates, mirrors and drinking glasses are not included.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
1(e) spells out Brockton's recyclables list in detail. Accepted paper items include newspapers with inserts, magazines, catalogues, telephone books, draft and white paper, computer printout paper, box board such as cereal and pasta boxes, paper bags, mail, manila folders and envelopes, plus corrugated cardboard measuring 2 feet by 2 feet or smaller (larger cardboard must be broken down to fit that limit). Metal items include aluminum food and beverage containers (pet food containers included), aluminum foil and pie plates, and coated steel food and beverage containers, with lids and labels permitted to stay on.
Glass recycling covers clear, green and brown glass food and beverage containers, and labels, caps and rings may remain attached. Plastics are limited to clean containers coded #1 through #7, and labels or caps may stay on those too. The section explicitly excludes ceramic plates, mirrors and drinking glasses from the recyclables definition, meaning those items go out with regular solid waste instead. Items must be placed untied in a reusable container rather than bagged. This definitions section was adopted by Ord. No. F006 on October 10, 2001, and amended by Ord. No. 2.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 8 does not fine residents for misidentifying a recyclable item, but material placed in a recycling container that does not meet the § 8-3.1(e) definition, or a recycling container improperly set out, can be left uncollected under § 8-3.2 and § 8-3.3, since the contractor need not pick up material that does not conform to those sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle pizza boxes or large cardboard in Brockton?
Are glass drinking glasses or mirrors recyclable curbside in Brockton?
What plastic types does Brockton accept for recycling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brockton
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