Background

Hartford’s (pop. 124,893) Department of Public Works launched a single-stream pilot program to make recycling simpler for residents of single-family houses and small apartment buildings (up to six residences), and simple it is. Drop everything in the blue cart at the curbside and off it goes on collection day.

Materials recycled

Paper Including juice boxes, milk cartons, newspapers, corrugated cardboard (flattened and uncoated), magazines, catalogs, mixed paper, junk mail, computer paper, writing paper, envelopes, receipts, cereal boxes, shoe boxes and food and drink boxes (no foil coating). Plastics Plastic containers numbered 1 through 7, sized up to 3 gallons each. No plastic bags accepted. Metals Including aluminum cans, steel cans and aerosol cans. All must be rinsed/cleaned thoroughly. No paint, pesticide or other hazardous waste containers are accepted. Glass Any glass containers (rinsed/cleaned thoroughly; no lids or caps)

Frequency

Curbside pick-up occurs on a weekly basis (a collection schedule and a collection map is available online). Recycling pick-up does not necessarily coincide with trash pick-up. Bins must be placed curbside no earlier than 4 p.m. the day prior and no later than 7 a.m. day of pick-up.

Other programs

Metropolitan District provides regularly scheduled household hazardous waste pick-up events. A whole list of acceptable items and dates and times can be found on the city’s website.

More information

Visit the City of Hartford Department of Public Works website for more recycling program info.