Recycling Information
Curbside
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Portsmouth offers single stream recycling, which means residents put all mixed recyclable waste into one recycling bin.
Recyclables
...must be dry, loose (not bagged) and include ONLY the following:
- Aluminum cans - empty
- PET bottles with the symbol #1 - with screw tops only - empty
- Caps are now recyclable, simply put them back on empty container before tossing in the bin.
- HDPE plastic bottles with the symbol #2 (milk, water bottles, detergent, and shampoo bottles, etc.) - empty
- Plastic containers with symbols #3-#7 - empty (no expanded polystyrene)
- Steel and tin cans - empty
- Empty aerosol cans can also be recycled; if the can has a plastic lid, you should remove it.
- Glass food and beverage containers - brown, clear or green - empty
- Newspaper
- Magazines, glossy inserts and pamphlets
- Uncoated paperboard (ex. cereal boxes; food and snack boxes)
- Uncoated printing, writing and office paper
- Old corrugated containers/cardboard (uncoated)
- Flatten cardboard to make room for more materials to fit in your recycling.
- Phone books
Non-Recyclables
...include, but are note limited to the following:
- Plastic bags and bagged materials (even if containing recyclables)
- If you store your recyclables in a bag, simply dump them out when you get to your bin and re-use the bag.
- Do not bag recyclables. Plastic bags have a habit of getting tangled in equipment. Find where you can recycle them at plasticfilmrecycling.org.
- Mirrors
- Light bulbs
- Porcelain and ceramics
- Expanded polystyrene
- Polystyrene foam and plastic "to-go" containers and cups are made of unrecyclable materials, and cannot be collected curbside.
- Packing peanuts aren't recyclable either, however some shipping stores will take peanuts back for re-use.
- Glass and metal cookware/bakeware
- Hoses, cords, wires
- Garden hoses, ropes, leashes, wires and string wrap around equipment and shut down entire recycling centers; ensure they only go in the trash.
- Flexible plastic or film packaging and multi-laminated materials
- Flexible packaging like chip bags and juice or soup pouches are made from multiple materials preventing it from being recycled; it must be trashed.
- Food waste and liquids, containers containing such items
- Food waste can be dropped off at Public Works' Recycling Center for composting.
- Cardboard pizza delivery boxes without leftovers, grease, or liners should be recycled; tear off the soiled parts and recycle the rest.
- Excluded materials and containers which contained excluded materials
- Any recyclable materials or pieces of recyclables less than 4" in size in any dimension
- Microwavable trays
- Window or auto glass
- Coated cardboard
- Plastics unnumbered
- Coat hangers
- Household appliances and electronics
- Yard waste, construction debris and wood
- Needles, syringes, IV bags or other medical supplies
- Needles can cause serious injuries to workers, so dispose of them in a rigid container and place in trash.
- Textiles, cloth, or any fabric (bedding, pillows, sheets, etc.)
- Napkins, paper towels, tissue, paper plates, paper cups and plastic utensils
- Cups with plastic or waxed coatings are not recyclable; the plastic lid should be trashed as well.
- Propane tanks, batteries
- Soiled and wet paper should be placed in the trash - or composted!
- Dirty diapers and pet waste
- Scrap metal, auto parts, and tires
- Large household items
- Clothing, textiles, shower curtains, swimming pools, and fencing don't below in the recycle or waste bin.
2016 Recovery Rate Analysis
Yard Waste
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- Use paper bags or trash barrel clearly marked “yard waste”.
- Bags no more than 50 lbs each.
- Brush – must be bundled into groups for easy pick up. Bundles should not be greater than 1’ in diameter and 4’ in length. Brush pieces w/in bundles no greater than 5” in diameter. Use string or twine to bundle.
- Click here for more details.
Bulky Waste
Specialty Items
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Specialty items Portsmouth residents can recycle – bring to the Recycling Center, no curbside collection available
- Antifreeze
- Batteries -(Please note: Alkaline Batteries can be disposed of in the regular household trash.)
- Clothing
- Cooking oil
- Eyeglasses
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Oil & oil filters
- Propane tanks (empty)
- Vegetable oil
Other Waste
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RV waste (Pease Treatment Plant, (603) 427-1553)
For information on the Portsmouth Recycling Center - CLICK HERE
Public Works hosts bi-annual household hazardous waste collection days at their facility.
Household Hazardous Waste Items:
- Gasoline
- Kerosene
- Antifreeze
- Transmission Fluid, Engine Degreaser, Brake Fluid
- Oil-based paints
- Stains, Thinners & Strippers
- Solvents & Varnishes
- Hobby Supplies, Art Supplies
- Pesticides
- Drain cleaners
- Oven cleaners
- Spot removers
- Photographic chemicals
- Swimming Pool Chemicals
- Adhesives, Glues, Resins
- Poisons, Insecticides, Weed Killers
- Disinfectants