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Additional Recycling Programs
The Town of Brookline has a number of different recycling program partnerships that residents can take advantage of! Please click on the items below you wish to recycle to learn more about the programs offered by the Department of Public Works. If you are looking to recycle an item that is not mentioned below, residents are encouraged to use MassDEP’s Beyond the Bin recycling directory to find local organizations that can recycle, reuse or repurpose your item!
MassDEP has established new rules requiring that mattresses and textiles be kept out of the trash so they can be recycled or donated for reuse, effective Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
Recycle your Textiles with Helpsy!
Did you know that approximately 23,000 tons of textiles are disposed of each year? About 95% of this material can be reused or repurposed! The Town of Brookline has entered into a partnership with HELPSY to to offer a free and easy home pickup clothing recycling service for the local community, as well as drop-off bins.
What clothing and textiles are accepted? All clean and dry pieces, even with stains or missing buttons, can be reused and repurposed. Don’t forget linens, shoes, and accessories, like hats, gloves, socks, underwear, belts, purses, and handbags, of any style, age or condition. For more details see FAQs below.
Schedule a Pickup
Free home pickups in Brookline take place weekly on Saturdays between 7am-5pm. Please note there is a 3-bag minimum for home pickups. Residents can schedule a home pickup by visiting the Helpsy website or calling 1-800-244–6350. All items should be placed in a closed bag and left outside by the curb on their assigned collection day. Helpsy will accept donations in any type of bag, so long as the items are dry and clean.
Drop-Off Textiles
The HELPSY Drop Boxes are accessible 7 days a week for dropping off bags of used clothing, shoes and other textiles. Please put all donations into the box. Do not leave trash in this area! We need your help to make this a successful program, so please make sure all materials go into the box.
Two drop-off boxes for textiles are located at 815 Newton Street, across from Skyline Park.
F.A.Q.s
Why is it important to recycle textiles?
While 95% of all clothing, shoes and other textiles could be given a second life, 85% are dumped in the landfill or incinerator, according to the EPA. Capacity for trash in Massachusetts is declining and we must recycle, compost, and reduce/reuse more!
What kinds of textiles does HELPSY accept?
All clean and dry textiles, even items with stains or missing buttons! Linens, towels, shoes and accessories (like hats, gloves, socks, belts, handbags, purses, etc.). Follow this link for a complete list of what Helspy accepts.
What does Helpsy do with the textiles?
Every item is examined by hand. Approximately 95% of all clothing, shoes and other textiles can be given a second life. The best 40-50% are resold as clothes in the US and Latin America—that's what pays for the collections and supports so many American jobs at the sorting and retail companies. Another 25% or so are cut into wiping rags for use by different industries, bars, and contractors. The least-useful 20-25% or so would be ground into insulation. This insulation would be used in carpet padding and commercial (not residential) furniture.
Are clothes donated or does a company profit from the donated items?
Our textiles recovery partner, HELPSY, is a Certified B Corporation, legally obligated to prioritize its environmental mission and the well-being of its workforce alongside profitability. Proceeds from the sales of clothing pay for:
- drivers and staff
- trucks and equipment
- payments to the Town and bin hosts
- its 200 charity partners, and
- its local vendors.
You can learn more on the HELPSY website.
Does it matter what kind of bags I put the clothes in?
Helpsy will accept any dry and clean clothing in any type of bag. It is helpful to label bags with "Helpsy".
What if I have a problem with my collection?
Contact Helpsy at 800-244-6350 or email [email protected].
MassDEP has established new rules requiring that mattresses and textiles be kept out of the trash so they can be recycled or donated for reuse, effective Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
Mattresses and Box Springs are Now Recycled!
The Town of Brookline is offering weekly curbside mattress and box spring recycling services to households on town trash collection service. According to MassDEP, approximately 300,000 mattresses and box springs are disposed of each year in the state. About 85% of this mattress material can be recycled!
Schedule a Pick-Up
Just like other bulky items, mattresses and box springs are collected on your regular trash day, by appointment only. Customers must register online and schedule a pick-up through the resident Accela portal and pay a $55.00 fee per mattress or box spring. Any item that is not scheduled will be left curbside, and the resident will be issued a violation notice. For further information, see our Bulky Items page.
Not on Town Service?
MassDEP now requires that mattresses and box springs are kept out of the trash. Search for recycling service providers for mattresses through www.recyclingworksma.com or https://tinyurl.com/depmatt.
F.A.Q.s
Why is it important to recycle mattresses?
The four major components of mattresses (foam, steel, textiles, and wood) are highly recyclable and valuable when recycled. When trashed, we lose those raw materials forever. Furthermore, mattresses are unique in that they take up a lot of space in landfills. Capacity for trash in Massachusetts is declining and we must recycle, compost, and reduce/reuse more!
What kinds of mattresses do you recycle?
We can recycle most mattresses and bed box springs. There are a few exceptions. We do not recycle the following:
- Futon mattresses, fold-out sofa beds
- Mattress pads or toppers
- Excessively torn, punctured, soiled or moldy items
- Twisted/crushed mattresses or broken box springs
- Mattresses or box springs infested with bed bugs or other pests
- Wet or frozen mattresses or box springs
- Infant sleeping pads; air or water beds; any other furniture or textiles
What do you do with the components of a mattress?
The springs of a mattress are scrapped to make a new steel item. The foam can be made into carpeting. The fabrics and fibers can be made into new textiles or padding. Wood can be mulched or used as a fuel.
What if I have a problem with my collection?
Contact the DPW at (617) 730-2156 or [email protected].
Battery Recycling in Brookline
Non-alkaline batteries (including rechargeable batteries and lithium batteries) are considered hazardous waste and should not be placed in your regular trash. Brookline's Department of Public Works offers several opportunities for residents to safely recycle batteries across Town. Learn more about battery recycling on Call2Recycle's website. If putting multiple batteries in one bag, please make sure that the positive terminals of the battery are taped over with electrical tape or duct tape.
Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Drop-Off Program at Brookline's Transfer Station (815 Newton Street)
WHEN: May through October only. Every Tuesday between 7:30am - 12:30pm.
Battery types accepted: All batteries EXCEPT alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-Volt). Alkaline batteries are not considered hazardous waste.
Brookline Senior Center Hazardous Waste Collection Bin (93 Winchester Street)
WHEN: May through October only. Monday - Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.
Battery types accepted: All batteries EXCEPT alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-Volt) and lead-acid batteries. Alkaline batteries are not considered hazardous waste and lead-acid batteries are too large for the collection bin.
Brookline Public Works Town Hall Office (4th Floor of Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington Street)
WHEN: Year-round. Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm, and 8:00am - 12:30pm on Fridays.
Battery types accepted: All batteries EXCEPT lead-acid. Lead-acid batteries are too large for the collection box.
A detailed breakdown of battery type and recycling locations in Brookline can be found below.
Battery Type | Battery Description | Accepted at Transfer Station | Accepted at Brookline Senior Center | Accepted at DPW Town Hall Office | Accepted at Municipal Service Center |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SINGLE-USE BATTERIES | |||||
Alkaline & Zinc-Carbon | Includes 9 Volt, AA, AAA, C, D and some button cells | X | |||
Button-Cell or Coin | Small, round batteries found in watches, hearing aids, car keyless, etc. | X | X | X | X |
Lithium Single-use | Found in remote controls, handheld games, smoke detectors, etc. | X | X | X | X |
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES | |||||
Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) | Found in older cellphones, power tools, digital cameras, laptops, tablets, etc. | X | X | X | X |
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) | Found in cellphones, cordless power tools, digital cameras, 2-way radios, , etc. | X | X | X | X |
Nickel-Zinc (Ni-Zn) | Found in digital cameras, wireless keyboards, small electronics, etc. | X | X | X | X |
Small-Sealed Lead Acid (Pb) | Found in mobility scooters, emergency lighting, hospital equipment, etc. | X | X | X | X |
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) | Found in cordless power tools, cordless phones, bio-medical equipment, video cameras, etc. | X | X | X | X |
OTHER | |||||
Lead-Acid | Found in automobiles, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, wheelchairs, etc. | X |
Lightbulbs are collected as part of the Town's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Lightbulbs are accepted at the Transfer Station's Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Site, the Brookline Senior Center and the Municipal Service Center during hours of operations (7am - 3pm Monday through Friday). Learn more about Brookline's Hazardous Waste Collection Program on our Hazardous Waste webpage.
Donation List and Interactive Map
Donate and Recycle- the best way to get rid of your textiles, books, furniture, and other household items! It will help those in need and cut down on the amount of Brookline trash that is being sent to the incinerator! Please see the list of charities below to see where you can donate!
Clothing, Furniture, and Houseware
- Savers | 1230 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury, MA 02132 | 617-323-8231
- The Goodwill Store | 965 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 | 617-254-0112
- Urban Renewals | 122 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134 | 617-783-8387
- Boomerangs | 563 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 | 617-758-6128
- Boomerangs | 1870 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132 | 617-323-0262
- Goodwill Attended Donation Center | 115 Rumford Ave, Auburndale, MA 02466 | 888-828-4483
- Global Thrift | 322 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453 | 781-891-5577
Clothing
- HELPSY Drop-Box | 815 Newton St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (across from the entrance of Skyline Park)
Books and Clothing
- More Than Words | 56 Felton Street Waltham, MA 02453 | 781-314-933
- More Than Words (2nd location) | 242 East Berkeley Street, 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02118 | 781-788-0035
- More Than Words (drop off box) | 30 Sunnyside Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (Entrance on Centre St. near Wyman St)
Household items and Furniture
- Habitat For Humanity ReStore | 1580 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury, MA 02132 | 617-327-1170
- Boston Consignment | 238 Highland Ave, Needham Heights, MA 02494 | 781-449-0900
Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off
- Brookline's Transfer Station Hazardous Waste Recycling Program | 815 Newton Street, Brookline, MA 02467 | 617-879-4908
- Open May through October only. Every Tuesday between 7:30am - 12:30pm.
- Brookline Senior Center Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Bin | 93 Winchester Street, Brookline, MA 02446 | 617-730-2770
- Open May through October only. Monday - Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.
- Accepts ONLY: batteries, aerosol cans, and lightbulbs
- Recycling Dumpster (RESIDENTS ONLY) | Centre Street West Parking Lot | 617-879-4908
Contact Information:
If you have any questions, please email Chaimaa Medhat, Asst. Recycling Coordinator at [email protected] or call 617-879-4914.
Town of Brookline Website