Background

Nashua (pop. 86,933), located at the southern fringe of New Hampshire, is the second-largest city in the state, just 20 miles south of largest city Manchester. Nicknamed “Gate City” due to its location just north of the Massachusetts border, Nashua is also home to a recycling program that could be a model for future implementation throughout the state. The city uses 96-gallon green roll carts that can be acquired for $60 at Nashua’s Solid Waste Department office for collection. Single-stream recycling offers ease and convenience, with collections occurring twice a month.

Materials recycled

Paper Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, envelopes, paper bags, soft-cover books, phonebooks, paperboard, milk/juice boxes, beverage cartons and loose paper are accepted. Shredded paper may be placed in a paper bag and taped or stapled shut. Corrugated cardboard should be cut to 36-inch squares or smaller and placed between the recycling and garbage carts. Plastics Plastic bottles, jars and jugs numbered 1 through 7 are accepted. All items must be rinsed. No Styrofoam items or plastic bags. Metals Aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, aluminum foil and aluminum trays are accepted. Glass Glass bottles and jars are accepted. All items must be rinsed.

Frequency

Nashua recycles at the curb on a biweekly basis — same day as refuse collection. Recycling carts must be placed at the curb by 6:45 a.m. on collection day, and must be at least 3 feet from obstructions (refuse cart, vehicles, utility poles, etc.). A recycling day lookup tool is available online.

Other programs

The Nashua Recycling Center (840 W. Hollis St. at the Four Hills Landfill) accepts many household items, including all of the single-stream materials listed above. Other items that can be dropped off include appliances, books, video tapes, DVDs, antifreeze, brush, clothing footwear, scrap metal, propane tanks, construction and demolition debris, electronics, soft yard waste, used tires, used motor oil and automotive batteries. Some fees may apply depending on the item. A valid residential permit is required for drop off ($5/vehicle/year). Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For full details, visit the Nashua Recycling Center website. Nashua residents can take household hazardous waste to safely recycle at a number of designated drop-off events throughout the year in Nashua or neighboring Milford. For the latest information, click here. “Soft” yard wastes are collected from mid-April through November each year. These organics include grass clippings, leaves and pine needles. They are collected on a weekly basis, same day as trash pick-up. All soft yard wastes must be contained in a paper compost bag or 32-gallon barrel, and New Hampshire state law requires that soft yard wastes must never be thrown in the trash. These soft yard wastes can also be taken to the Nashua Recycling Center during normal hours of operation.

More information

Visit the City of Nashua New Hampshire Curbside Recycling website for more recycling program info.