The City collects recyclables along public streets throughout Manchester. The curbside program is single stream: all items can be placed together in your blue recycling cart! Collection is weekly in most areas, with more frequent pickups downtown.
Why Recycle?
Recycling minimizes the need for landfill space, conserves natural resources, and reduces the air pollution and energy usage associated with mining of raw materials.
Rules and Limitations
The rules for municipal collection of curbside recyclables are designed to maximize both the diversion of recyclable materials and the efficiency with which they are collected.
Eligibility
Currently, to be eligible for municipal curbside recycling service, your residence or place of business must both have an address on a public street AND be utilizing municipal curbside trash service. (Not eligible? Use the Drop Off Facility.)
Correct Placement
Throughout most of Manchester, recyclables are collected using an automated process. To receive service, you must:
- Place all your recyclables in a blue recycling cart acquired from the City
- Place your recycling cart at the edge of the road, without blocking sidewalks, by 7 AM of your collection day
- Make sure your cart is at least three feet from any obstruction, with the handles and wheels facing your home or business
Recyclable Items
The following items may be placed in your blue recycling cart:
- container plastics #1 - 7, except Styrofoam and PVC
- tin, steel and aluminum containers
- glass bottles
- paper and cardboard
Mandatory Recycling Downtown
If your property is in the downtown collection zone, recycling is mandatory. To determine if you fall within this zone, contact the Highway Division.
Recycling Carts
Recycle carts are available for purchase only. We are restructuring our website to allow recycle carts to be purchased online. To purchase a recycle cart, please visit the Manchester Drop-Off Facility located at 500 Dunbarton Rd., Manchester, NH 03102 during regular business hours. If you already have a cart but consistently generate more recyclables than will fit, you may be eligible to upgrade to a larger cart or get an additional one.
If your property is in the downtown collection zone, you receive service three days per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and you must purchase a recycling cart at the Drop Off Facility.
Drop-Off Facility
Not eligible for curbside service? Have more recycling this week than will fit in your cart?
The Drop-Off Facility accepts all recyclables collected curbside. Note that recycling at the facility is dual stream: paper/cardboard products must be separated from other materials.
The Drop-Off Facility's 'Bypass Lane for Recyclers' has officially opened for public use. Make sure to read all signage as you approach the scalehouse to have the best experience.
Did You Know?
Downtown recyclables are picked up by Highway Division crews; all others are collected, via contract, by Pinard Waste Systems. Combined, over 6,500 tons of recyclables were diverted from the waste stream in 2020.