FACTS ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS WASTE BANS
• Waste bans are restrictions on the disposal and transfer for disposal of certain hazardous and recyclable items at solid waste facilities in Massachusetts.

• Waste bans are designed to:
- Conserve capacity at existing disposal facilities.
- Minimize the need for new facility construction.
- Signal recycling markets that large volumes of material are available on a consistent basis.
- Keep certain toxic substances or materials from adversely affecting our environment when landfilled or incinerated.
- Promote business and residential recycling efforts.

• What is banned?
Recyclable Paper: All paper, cardboard, and paperboard products (EXCEPT tissue paper, paper plates and cups, wax-coated cardboard, and other low-grade paper products.)

Glass Containers: Glass bottles and jars (EXCEPT light bulbs, Pyrex cookware, plate glass, drinking glasses, windows, windshields, and ceramics.)

Metal Containers: Aluminum, steel or bi-metal beverage and food containers.

Single Resin Narrow-Necked Plastics: A soda bottle is narrow-necked but a yogurt container is not.

Leaves and Yard Waste: Leaves, grass clippings, weeds, garden materials, shrub trimmings, and brush one-inch or less in diameter. (EXCEPT diseased plants.)

Batteries: Lead-acid batteries used in motor vehicles or stationary appliances.

White Goods: Appliances employing electricity, oil, natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. These include refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, gas or electric ovens and ranges, and hot water heaters.

Whole Tires: Motor vehicle whole tires of all types (Incinerators and transfer stations can accept whole tires. Shredded tires are not restricted.)

Cathode Ray Tubes: Any intact, broken, or processed glass tube used to provide the visual display in televisions, computer monitors, and certain scientific instruments.

• What can I do to help? Remove and Recycle!!
Business managers should remove and recycle any banned materials they generate or run the risk that waste loads will be rejected at a disposal site or charged an additional handling fee. Recycling at businesses can be easier than recycling at home, because the materials are generated in larger quantities and are easier to keep separate from the rest of the trash. Recycling prevents unnecessary disposal of usable raw materials, saves energy, and reduces air and water pollution. As recycling reduces disposal costs, businesses can save money by diverting materials from the trash dumpster to the recycling bin.

Northside Carting, Inc. can help you establish a recycling program. Contact us today at 978-686-8604 to see how we can help with your recycling needs!

- Department of Environmental Protection

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