Background

New Haven, CT (pop. 130,741), is the home of Yale University and the birthplace of the original hamburger sandwich (at local institution Louis’ Lunch), so it’s perhaps no surprise that innovation of the eco-minded variety is also found in this idyllic New England city. New Haven collects recyclables using single-stream 96-gallon blue roll carts. Carts of this size and weekly collection frequency are rare in cities of New Haven’s size, but with the state of Connecticut setting a 58% waste diversion goal by 2024, there is much work to be done. As of spring 2013, New Haven was halfway to that goal, as the citywide recycling rate had risen to 29% — a 13% increase since the 96-gallon carts were introduced in 2011.

Materials recycled

Paper Accepted items include white or colored office paper, paper egg cartons, paper milk or juice cartons, mail, greeting cards, paperboard, flattened corrugated cardboard, blueprints, paperback books, magazines, brochures, catalogs, newspapers and inserts, envelopes, file folders and shredded paper. Plastics Plastic containers numbered 1 through 7 are accepted, including bottles, jugs, tubs, jars, buckets, crates, detergent bottles, lids/caps (removed from containers) and plastic toys. No plastic bags or plastic films. Metals Aluminum cans, tin/steel cans (rinsed), clean pie tins, balled aluminum foil (2 inches or larger), pots, pans, empty aerosol cans and loose metal lids and steel bottle caps are accepted. Glass Glass bottles, jars and vases are accepted.

Frequency

New Haven residents take recyclables to the curb on a weekly basis, same day as refuse collection. A collection date lookup tool is available online.

Other programs

Those who live in multifamily buildings or have excess recyclables can visit the New Haven Recycling Center (260 Middletown Ave.), open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. All of the above-listed recyclable items may be taken to the recycling center. Electronic items can also be taken to the New Haven Recycling Center. Please do not throw them in the trash. Yard waste clippings contained in a brown leaf bag can be placed curbside on collection day. New Haven residents (and those from nearby Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Fairfield, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge) can take household hazardous waste to the regional collection facility, HazWaste Central (90 Sargent Dr.). Accepted items include aerosol containers, floor care products, metal/furniture polish, oven/drain cleaners, bathroom cleaners, tile cleaners, disinfectants, toilet bowl cleaner, nail polish remover, bugspray, gasoline, automotive batteries, brake and transmission fluid, auto body repair products, various oils and cleaners, oil-based paints, paint thinner and stripper, varnish, used motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizer, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, rat poison, artists’ paints, dry-cleaning solvents, Fiberglas epoxy, mothballs, batteries, photo chemicals, pool chemicals, small propane cylinders, fluorescent and CFL bulbs, mercury and mercury-containing items. The facility is open to residents on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, mid-May through October.

More information

Visit the City of New Haven Recycling and Waste website for more recycling program info.