Recycling & Trash

  1. Electronics & Styrofoam Events Rescheduled to OCTOBER 21st

    Reminder: the fall Electronics and Styrofoam recycling events have been rescheduled to Saturday, October 21st, at Ipswich High School from 9-12 Read on...
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The Recyclopedia (below) is provided by MassDEP to help with recycling and disposal options. 

Please check this Ipswich page and Recycling A-Z first for Ipswich-specific options.

If you have something not listed, use the Recyclopedia. Still need help? Send us a photo and email at IpswichRecycles@gmail.com.


What can I put in the curbside bin?  


Much more can be recycled than just what goes in the curbside bin. 


Check Recycling A-Z for recycling items in Ipswich that cannot be put in the curbside bin. 


Item not listed? Try MassDEP's RecycleSmart or Beyond the Bin to see if an item is recyclable in Massachusetts.  




Mattress and Box Spring Recycling 

Mattresses and box springs have been banned from the trash in Massachusetts and must be recycled. Follow these steps to learn how to recycle your mattress or box spring. Then visit Tough Stuff Recycling to choose your option and make a payment.


2023 Recycling and Trash Calendar

All containers must be at the curb by 6 AM on your pickup day.

The trucks cannot return for recycling or trash not out on time. Trash Routes



What can I bring to the transfer station?

 

The Ipswich transfer station is a recycling center (located at 180 Town Farm Road) open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 AM to 3:30 PM (excluding holidays). 


Household recycling and many items that are not accepted in the curbside bin can be recycled at the transfer station. A beach sticker or transfer station sticker is required for admittance. A free transfer station sticker may be obtained at the DPW office (town hall, second floor). Bring your vehicle registration and proof of residency. 



Trash and Recycling Policy              


One 35-gallon bag or barrel (50-pound limit) is allowed per residence. 

All trash must be bagged. Please make sure trash is not loose in the barrel. 

Extra trash must be in Overthrow Bags (additional details below). 


Recycling is mandatory. What can I put in the curbside bin?  


El reciclaje es obligatorio. ¿Qué puedo depositar en el contenedor de la acera?  



Trash will not be collected if recyclables are not at the curb. All recyclables should be placed in a collection bin (NO plastic bags). There is no limit for recycling, but containers cannot be larger than 45 gallons. 

 

Public Works provides ONE recycling bin to residents. Additional bins are $10 each and Ipswich Recycles stickers are free for residents (both at DPW office at town hall).
  
Republic Services strictly enforces the inspection of recycling contamination. The crew must leave behind contaminated recycling along with a sticker explaining the reason for the bin’s rejection. 


Need help deciding what can go in the bin? Watch this short and clever video about recycling. (Please keep in mind that Ipswich’s recycling company cannot accept cartons.)

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Ipswich Library of Things

The “Library of Things” is a collection of non-traditional things that provides library cardholders access to a variety of items, many of which might be used infrequently. This diverse collection includes over fifty kits that library users can check out and take home. 


Beyond being a fun collection of interesting items, the Library of Things movement reinforces a shared community vision of reducing consumption and the potential for wasted resources.


This collection was funded in part by Public Works through a grant from MassDEP.


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Got Food Scraps? Join the curbside composting program. 

Sign up online! 

 

Toss all of your food scraps, houseplants, pizza boxes and much more in a cart for curbside pickup! This quick video answers the Why, What and How of Composting. 

 

The curbside compost collection program can reduce your trash by up to 40%. 

Questions? Call 978-356-6612 or email IpswichComposts@gmail.com.

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Household Hazardous Waste

The next collection date for household chemicals and other hazardous waste will be Fall 2024. Check back for details. During the annual event, residents may bring accepted household hazardous waste items.


If residents cannot wait for or attend the Ipswich event in August, they may attend any of the CY23 open HHW events in other communities. Please note that only the Ipswich event is free, so there will be a charge from the regional community event you attend.                                      CY22 Reciprocal Events


Need to dispose of items before or after all HHW events occur?
Check MassDEP’s website for alternatives.


HHW Emergency Response Lines

ACV Enviro (800-7-SPILLS -- 800-777-4557)
Clean Harbors (800-645-8265)


Ipswich is plastic bag- and styrofoam-free!

Ipswich businesses are using alternatives to single-use plastic bags and styrofoam. Please note that trash bags are not affected by this ban. Learn more here. 



Contact Us

  1. Marlene Faria Connelly


    Waste Reduction Program Manager
    Email

    Town Hall
    25 Green St.
    Ipswich, MA 01938
    Ph: 978-356-6612
    Fx: 978-356-6616

    Hours


    Mondays
    8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    Tuesdays - Thursdays
    8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Fridays
    8 a.m. - Noon

    Staff Directory