About Recycling and Solid Waste

Recycling:

Participants in New Bedford's recycling program include City residents, business, and schools. Recycling is also provided for most municipal buildings. There is a festival recycling program at certain festivals during the summer. In 2006, New Bedford's recycling rate was 14%.

Residents --ABC Disposal collects recyclables weekly from residential buildings up to 6 units. The City encourages residents to separate using two blue recycling bins - one for paper and the other for bottles and cans.  Paper includes newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, catalogs, phone books and flattened cardboard (no larger than 2'x3').  Bottles and cans includes metal cans, #1 through #7 plastic containers and glass bottles and jars.  The City also has an apartment recycling program for both paper and bottles and cans.

Businesses -- ABC Disposal collects cardboard in commercial districts 3 days each week. On Monday, in the downtown area, Tuesday in the South end, and Friday in the North end. Businesses can also participate in the curbside recycling program. Businesses have the opportunity to recycle office paper with AAA Recycling for a fee. The City sells 96-gallon toters that can be used to recycle bottles and cans of or paper.

Schools -- The City's Recycling Coordinator assists schools in setting up a recycling program for paper, cans & bottles and cardboard. The Recycling Coordinator also does presentations and activities with students about the importance of recycling.

Call Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, District Recycling Coordinator, at (508) 979-1493 for information about any of these programs.

Solid Waste:

Solid Waste is disposed of in the Crapo Hill Landfill, located in the far north end of New Bedford. In 2009, 38,919 tons of municipal solid waste were disposed. The Crapo Hill Landfill is owned and operated by the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District.