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Recycling in Cambridge, MA

Cambridge DPW collects bulky items at the curb: one piece of furniture a week goes out free with trash, while appliances, large TVs and motorized exercise equipment need a paid disposal permit. Mattresses are picked up by contractor UTEC by appointment, and the Recycling Center at 147 Hampshire St. takes electronics, batteries and scrap metal from residents; hazardous waste goes to four HHW days a year.

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Official sources disagree on these details. We show what each source says; confirm with the operator before you go.

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Drop-off places in Cambridge

Services for Cambridge residents

Where this information comes from (22)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • City of Cambridge: Furniture, Appliance, Large Item Disposal (opens in new tab) · City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
    • Items requiring a permit and fee include air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers (doors removed), stoves, and TVs and monitors over 20 inches. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • TVs and computer monitors with screens over 20 inches diagonal and larger motorized exercise equipment need a paid permit. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Small exercise equipment, bicycles, lawnmowers, radiators, snow blowers and metal filing cabinets and desks need a permit for pickup but no payment. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • No permit is needed for small electronics such as microwaves, stereos, box fans and small printers. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Furniture such as couches and tables needs no permit; residents may put one piece of furniture out per week on trash day, with some exceptions. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Small TVs and monitors (20 inches or less) need no permit; place them near the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day with hard drive, keyboard or mouse if desired. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Permits are bought online or in person at 147 Hampshire Street; most items are scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday, curbside by 7 a.m. No commercial or industrial items. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Freon is removed from air conditioners, dehumidifiers, freezers and refrigerators, and all appliances then go to a local scrap metal recycler. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The City's bulky-item page says mattresses need a disposal permit but that it is free, and are scheduled separately. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · sources disagree.
    • Cambridge Public Works is at 147 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139; the Recycling Center is in the DPW yard there. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Cambridge: Mattress Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
    • There is a $45 fee for each mattress and box spring collected by the City contractor UTEC. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · sources disagree.
    • Cambridge DPW residents schedule mattress pickups with contractor UTEC, a nonprofit that deconstructs and recycles them; buildings over 12 units should ask their property manager first. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • UTEC does not take excessively torn, soiled or moldy items, bed-bug items, futons, mattress pads or toppers, air or water beds. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Cambridge: Recycling Center (opens in new tab) · City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
    • The Recycling Center, in the back right corner of the DPW yard at 147 Hampshire St., is open to Cambridge residents Tuesdays and Thursdays 4–7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The Recycling Center is located at 147 Hampshire St. in the back right corner of the Public Works yard. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The Recycle Center is open to Cambridge residents and to Cambridge small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Cambridge: Household Hazardous Waste Disposal (opens in new tab) · City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
    • Cambridge holds four HHW collection days a year at 50 Mooney St., for Cambridge residents only with proof of residency; the remaining 2026 date is Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • HHW days accept vehicle, lithium-ion and alkaline batteries (sorted), car tires (four per household) and chemicals. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Oil-based and latex paints are accepted at Cambridge HHW days. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Cambridge: Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
    • Flatten cardboard; cardboard that won't fit in the cart should be nested inside a larger box next to the recycle cart. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries: All Locations & Hours (opens in new tab) · Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
    • Goodwill Cambridge is at 520 Massachusetts Avenue, 02139; all Goodwill stores accept donations. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Donation center hours: Store hours Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun 12–6 p.m. (all stores accept donations). Checked October 26, 2026.

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