Recycling

Not sure what’s recyclable? You’re in the right place.

Here you’ll find clear, up-to-date information on accepted materials, items that cannot be recycled, and best practices to help keep our recycling program running smoothly.

These are materials that go in your recycling containers

Mixed Paper

Mail & envelopes, magazines & catalogs.
Paperboard (e.g., cereal boxes, shoe boxes)
Office paper, writing/ledger paper, paperback books
Paper bags, greeting cards, wrapping paper (non-foil)
Shredded paper (if placed in a paper bag)

Cardboard

Corrugated boxes
Pizza boxes (but only if the greasy liner is removed)

Newspaper

Newspapers and inserts

Glass Containers

Glass bottles and jars (clean and free of food residue)

Commingled Containers (Plastics / Metal / Cartons)

Rigid plastic containers marked with recycling logo #1-7 (rinse out)
Steel, tin & aluminum cans (empty and rinsed)
Aluminum foil and pie plates
Empty steel aerosol cans
Milk & juice cartons, juice boxes, creamer containers (rinse out)

Textiles & Bedding

Clothing, shoes, linens, etc., should be diverted (textiles are banned from trash stream) and drop-off recyclables options available.

Acceptable Recycling Items

Not Acceptable for Regular Recycling

These items should not go in the regular recycling stream in Plymouth:

Mixed Paper

Paper towels, facial tissues, napkins
Candy wrappers, cigarette packs
Waxed or plastic-coated paper
Soiled / greasy paper items
Boxes with silver or foil coatings
Hard-covered books
Plastic bags containing shredded paper

Cardboard

Dirty, greasy or waxed cardboard
Styrofoam or other packing materials embedded in the box

Glass

Broken glass
Cups, dishes, plates, Pyrex, window glass, light bulbs, ceramics, mirrors, crystal

Commingled Containers

Plastic bags or food wrap
Styrofoam or packing materials
Automotive fluid bottles
Ice cream boxes (because of mixed materials/coating)
Margarine or cream cheese boxes (again mixed materials)
Appliances of any kind
Take-out trays or meat trays (often contaminated)

Other Restrictions / Notes

Black plastics are generally not recycled (the sorting machines have trouble with them).
Textiles (clothing, bedding) are banned from regular trash and should go through proper donation/recycling routes.
Items like electronics, lamps, appliances, hazardous waste must not go into the regular recycle bin — they have special disposal procedures.

Tips & Reminders

Rinse out food and drink containers before recycling.
Remove greasy liners from pizza boxes and flatten empty cardboard boxes.
Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags. If you carry them in a plastic bag, empty into the recycle cart and dispose of the bag separately.
When in doubt about an item, check with the town’s recycling department or drop-off site rather than tossing it in and risking contamination.
Keep distinct streams (paper, cardboard, commingled, glass) separated as required by the local transfer station guidelines.

Recycling right makes a big difference for our neighborhoods, beaches, ponds and natural spaces. This guide is here to help South Shore residents sort smart and keep our community beautiful.