Zero Waste Days
We hold drop-off days for household hazardous materials and certain waste ban items throughout the year. Scroll down to find our Zero Waste Day events schedule.
There are no more Zero Waste Days this year. Events will resume in spring 2025.You must be a Boston resident to drop unwanted materials at our Zero Waste Days (formally known as Household Hazardous Waste Day). You need to provide a photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of residency. We will not accept any waste from businesses. We also reserve the right to reject any materials that do not meet our regulations.
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Have questions? Contact 311:
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1 city hall square, room 714
boston, ma 02201
Zero Waste Pop-Up Events
what is a zero waste pop-up event?
In addition to the Zero Waste Days, the City hosts smaller events known as Zero Waste Pop-Up Drop-offs for the proper disposal of certain household hazardous waste and waste ban items.
Most of these events will provide disposal services for at least 2 different types of materials.
Check the event pages to see what materials are being collected at the next event!
upcoming Zero waste pop-up events:
December 7 | 416 American Legion Highway, Mattapan | 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- ONLY LEAF AND YARD WASTE will be collected at this pop-up event
- No other materials or waste will be accepted
- The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends promptly at 12 p.m.
- For more information, please visit the event page.
Accepted Materials
Accepted Materials- Antifreeze
- Brake fluid
- Car batteries
- Carburetor cleaner
- Degreasers
- Engine solvents
- Gasoline and kerosene
- Motor oil and oil filters
- Tires (never throw tires out with your regular trash)
- Tire cleaners
- Transmission fluid
- Acids and sulfuric acid, aerosol cans
- Ammonia cleaners, radiator cleaners, rug cleaners, and upholstery cleaners
- Artist supplies and hobby supplies like rubber cement
- Caulk, chemistry set chemicals, pool chemicals
- Driveway sealer, creosote, furnace cement, and roof cement
- Dry-cell batteries, fiberglass resins, and metal cleaners
- Fire starters, flammable liquids, floor-care products, and furniture polish
- Mercury bearing waste from fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, and mercury switches
- Photography chemicals, pool chemicals, propane tanks, and rust preventatives
- Sealant, solvent adhesives, solvent-based cleaners
- Wax stripper and Wood preservatives
- Brighteners
- Chlorine bleach
- Detergents
- Drain cleaners
- Lighter fluid
- Moth balls and crystals
- Oven cleaners
- Rodent killers
- Softeners
- Spray starch
- Whiteners
- Cesspool cleaners
- Fertilizers
- Flammable liquids
- Flea and tick powder
- Fungicides
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- No-pest strips
- Pesticides
- Poisons
- Weed killers
- Paint thinners
- Paint strippers
- Shellacs
- Stains
- Turpentine
- Varnish
These items must be clean, dry, and odorless.
Footwear (in pairs):
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Shoes
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Heels (wedges, pumps)
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Flats
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Sandals
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Flip Flops
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Boots (work boots, dress boots, winter boots)
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Sneakers
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Cleats
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Slippers
Clothing:
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Tops (T-shirts, blouses, shirts, tank tops)
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Sweaters
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Sweatshirts
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Dresses
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Outerwear (coats, jackets, blazers)
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Bottoms (pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts)
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Suits
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Socks
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Pajamas
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Slips
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Bras
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Underwear
Accessories:
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Hats
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Bags (pocketbooks, backpacks, duffle bags, totes)
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Belts
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Gloves
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Ties
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Scarves
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Bathrobes
Linens:
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Sheets
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Blankets
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Towels
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Curtains/Drapes
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Aprons
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Dish cloths
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Cloth napkins
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Table linens
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Comforters
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Throw rugs
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Placemats
Other:
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Halloween costumes
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Sports jerseys
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Pet clothing
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Canvas
Some accepted items are listed below but not limited to:
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Computers: desktops, towers, laptops, monitors, and tablets
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Microwaves, cameras, robots
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LCD flat panel monitors
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Printers: inkjets, laserjets, copiers, and scanners
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Networking equipment: switches, routers, and servers
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Audio and Video equipment: VHS players, DVD players, stereos, speakers, headphones
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Telephones: cell phones and landline phones
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Other electronic accessories: keyboards, mouse devices, cables, and wires
Alkaline Batteries - these are your traditional, non-rechargeable AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt batteries - are NOT hazardous. Alkaline batteries will be labeled with “no added mercury” or with a green tree logo. Please place them in your regular trash.
Other batteries can cause fires if not disposed of correctly. Put tape on terminals and bring to a local retailer or one of Boston's Zero Waste Days.
- Lithium-ion rechargeable
- Typically found in cell phones, laptops, and small power tools.
- Rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D, 9V (NI-CAD)
- Lithium primary
- Lead acid automotive or sealed
- Button cell battery, watch battery, coin battery
We will shred up to 10 copy paper size boxes or containers of your personal documents. Paper shredding occurs onsite. Due to the high volume of traffic at these events, residents cannot watch their documents be shredded.
Materials NOT Accepted
- NO asbestos
- NO explosives
- NO radioactive material
- NO commercial or industrial waste
- NO construction debris
- NO alkaline batteries (trash)
- NO medical waste. To learn more about how to safely dispose of medical waste visit:
can't make it to an event?
There are many options throughout the City where you can properly dispose of your electronics, batteries, lightbulbs, and more! . Visit Boston's Zero Waste Directory to find a retailer near you!
What is a Waste Ban?
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) have implemented waste bans on certain hazardous, recyclable, and compostable materials in an effort to reduce the volume and toxicity of trash in the state. By cutting down on disposal, the waste bans also help us capture valuable resources, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lessen our reliance on landfills and incinerators.
Use The Beyond the Bin search tool to find out how and where to donate or recycle items that can’t go in your home recycling bin and are too good to trash!
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Have questions? Contact 311:
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1 city hall square, room 714
boston, ma 02201
