Zero-Sort recycling is a state-of-the-art process that enables paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal cans to be collected together in one bin, eliminating the need for you to separate recyclables. Remember that plastic bags are not allowed in your recycling! If you need more space for your recyclables, you may use any type of durable, weather-proof container as an additional recycling bin.
Toss ONLY the Zero-Sort recyclables listed below into your recycling bin (for single-family and multi-family residential buildings containing up to six units). Want to know if you can put something in your recycling bin?
Not sure where to recycling things that don't belong in your household recycling bin? Use the Recyclopedia search function below! You can also visit the Beyond the Bin Website for additional tips, drop-off locations and a fun quiz!
Recycling bins containing unacceptable materials (including plastic bags) will NOT be collected. Help spread the word about recycling in your neighborhood! - English & Spanish Recycling Program Flyer
Set recyclables and trash at the curb between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on your scheduled trash/recycling day. Whenever a scheduled collection day falls on a holiday, that day's collection and all remaining collections for the week will be delayed one day.
The City delivered new 22-gallon containers that come fitted with a vented plastic dome cover to help prevent materials from blowing out onto the street.
The bins are also labeled with instructions on what materials should be recycled using the bins and which should not.
Residents may use any type of durable, weather-proof container as a recycling bin.
Additional City Recycling Bins may be purchased for $12 at the following locations:
Recycle Smart MA provides important guidelines, available in English and many other languages, at their website: What Goes in the Recycling Bin?
You can put your EMPTY pizza box in the recycling bin. Grease is okay. This includes pizza boxes (with the exception of frozen pizza boxes) made out of cardboard or box board (think cereal box) as long as they are empty. Helpful suggestion: fold the box inside-out before you put it in the recycling. This will make sure that the box is completely empty so there are no surprises at the sorting facility.
Liners and pizza savers (pizza tables) go in the trash. Leftover food should be composted or put in the trash.
Our zero-sort recycling system allows residents to put all eligible items - plastic bottles, newspaper, glass containers, etc. - in the same bins. Materials are sorted by large machines back at the recycling plant.
Residents may also use any type of durable, weather-proof container as a recycling bin. However, recycling left in a plastic bag at the curb will not be collected.
Please refer to the Recyclopedia search function on this webpage.
Please call Worcester 311 at 311.
Additional bins may be purchased for $12 at 20 East Worcester Street. Residents may also use any type of durable, weather-proof container as a recycling bin.
Please call Worcester 311 at 311.
Residents can either bring the materials back to their homes, remove the contaminates from the bin and put the bin out the following week, or they can take the eligible materials to the Residential Drop-Off Center at 1065 Millbury Street, Worcester.
Plastic bags are particularly problematic for the sorting machines at the recycling facility. Plastic bags get tangled in the machinery and can also be hazardous for workers to extract from the machines.
Residents were provided with a new green recycling bin that is larger than the previous one and has a cover to minimize litter that results from materials being blown out.
Recycling that includes contaminated material will not be collected at the curb as of Oct. 1, 2022. In addition, recycling left in a plastic bag at the curb will not be collected - recycling must be placed in City provided green bins or a plastic bin of your own.
Department of Public Works
20 East Worcester Street
Worcester, MA 01604
Phone: 508-929-1300
Fax: 508-799-1448
Email Us
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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