To schedule a pick-up of Appliances, Scrap Metal, TVs and Monitors call 617-376-7556 at least one full business day before your regular trash pick-up day.

The City of Quincy provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection for its residents of one- to eight-family dwellings and condominiums through Capitol Waste Services. Curbside collection services are performed Monday through Friday. Household trash generated by the daily operation of normal household tasks is incinerated at the Covanta Semass "waste-to-energy" facility in W. Wareham, MA.

The Importance of Re-cycling

Your trash is weighed and the city is billed for its disposal. Currrently the City pays $93.57 per ton for trash disposal. In fiscal year 2011 that cost Quincy taxpayers $2,675,272. 

Recycling cardboard, paper, glass, metal and plastic reduces the weight of trash, and provides revenue to the city. Since July 2008 the residents of Quincy reduced their trash tonnage by 3,408 tons, saving $302,803 and earning over $255,000 in recycling revenue.

That's money that can be used to enhance services like public health and safety, education, senior services and recreation. 

Capitol Waste is not contracted to collect trash or debris from "move-outs" or "clean-outs" of rooms, apartments, basements or garages. Please contract with a private vendor for these activities or utilize the City's special disposal rate at the Braintree Transfer Station. See related links below.

Businesses and Apartment Buildings

Businesses and apartment buildings with more than eight units must privately contract for solid waste removal. It is illegal for these entities to use the City's curbside collection system. Likewise, it is illegal for anyone to place trash from outside the City curbside for pickup. Anyone can bring recyclables to the DPW yard.

If you see illegal placing of trash, please call a Code Enforcement Officer at 617-376-1238.

Please have your trash and recycling ready for pick-up by 6 A.M. on the morning of your pick-up day. No rubbish may be placed for collection more than one day prior to scheduled pickup and empty containers shall be removed within one day of pickup. See Collection Schedule below for your pick-up day.

In the event of a holiday, that day's collection and all remaining collection days for the rest of the week will be delayed for one day. Friday's collection would be on Saturday.

Missed Pick-up

To report a missed pick-up please call Capitol Waste Services at 617-376-7556.

Helpful Hints

--Curbside collectors are not required to lift anything in excess of 50 lbs.

--Capitol Waste will dispose of mattresses and box springs, lawn mowers (with gas tanks removed) some furniture and most electronics.

--The ideal size for trash and recycling containers in Quincy is 32 gallon. Please note that larger containers may hold in excess of 50 lbs and are designed for automated collection.

Appliances

Please call 617-376-7556 at least one full business day in advance of your regular trash collection day to arrange for the pick-up of washers, dryers, water heaters, stoves, refrigerators, air conditioners, monitors, TVs and metal. Most electronics can go in the trash but if you bring them to the DPW yard they benefit the Quincy Veterans Council. See related links  How Can I Get Rid of...

To have refrigerators and air conditioners removed from inside your home for FREE call Anything Metal Removal Service at 781-385-1404.

Unacceptable Items

Massachusetts State Law prohibits the disposal of mercury, construction and demolition debris, paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, yardwaste, TVs, monitors, Ni-cad, Lithium and car batteries, and large appliances in the trash.

More Information

How Can I Get Rid of...?

Aluminum: Place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. Also, Single Stream recycling dumpsters are located at the entrance to the rear yard at the DPW, 55 Sea St.

Appliances/White Goods: Call 617-376-7556 to schedule curbside pick-up of stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dehumidifiers, and water heaters. Call at least one full business day before your regular trash day for collection on your regular trash day. Or bring to the DPW Yard Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.Or donate to Viet Nam Veterans 800-775-8387.

To have refrigerators and air conditioners removed from inside your home for FREE call Anything Metal Removal Service at 781-385-1404.


Aerosol Cans: Place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. Also, three Single Stream recycling dumpsters are located at the entrance to the rear yard at the DPW, 55 Sea St. We take most empty aerosol cans that did not contain hazardous material.

Asbestos: You must use a licensed asbestos removal contractor to dispose of asbestos. Check the yellow pages for licensed contractors.

Automobiles: Automobiles and other vehicles can be donated to an area charity for a tax deduction. Try Special Olympics, and Habitat for Humanity

Barbecue Grills: Bring to DPW Yard Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Empty propane tanks are also accepted at the yard.

Batteries: Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, B, C and D) manufactured after 1994 can be thrown out with the regular trash. All alkaline batteries manufactured before 1994, including NiCad, button, zinc and lithium batteries should be brought to the DPW Yard, 55 Sea St. Bring to the white Guard Shack. Car and marine batteries can be brought to the DPW Yard. To recycle rechargeable batteries, call (800) 8-BATTERY or visit Call2Recycle.

Bicycles: "Bikes not Bombs," is a local non-profit organization working to promote community development and alternative transportation. Donated bikes are shipped to third world countries and used locally to train young people as bicycle mechanics. Kids can also build/recondition a bike through the Earn-A-Bike program. Part of the program involves the kids participating in community service (617) 442-0004. You can also bring bikes to our metal recycling can in the DPW Yard, 55 Sea St.

Books: You can bring your books to the "Got Books" collection box in DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
We seek every type and style of book on any topic or subject for all ages. We take virtually every book that is in functional condition: general reading books, paperbacks, hard cover books, fiction, nonfiction, books for adults, books for children, textbooks, books on tape, DVDs.

Bubble Wrap and Packing P-nuts: Take most packing material like styrofoam p-nuts, bubble wrap and air bags to the UPS Store at the Adams Plaza, 550 Adams St.

Building Materials: Quincy residents can dispose of construction and demolition debris at the Semass Braintree Transfer Station M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon for a fee of 10 cents per pound. Call 781-843-6209 for more information.
Residents and contractors can also donate good quality used and surplus building materials to Building Materials Resource Center in Boston. Call (617) 442-8917. For more options and information visit the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website.

Cardboard: Place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. Also, three Single Stream recycling dumpsters are located at the entrance to the rear yard at the DPW, 55 Sea St.

Car Batteries: Car and marine batteries can be brought to the DPW Yard, M-F 7:30 to 3 PM. To recycle rechargeable batteries, call (800) 8-BATTERY or visit Call2Recycle.

Carpet: May be disposed of curbside if cut into 4 ft. lengths, rolled and tied. No more than 5 rolls of carpet at a time. Also accepted at the Semass Braintree Transfer Station. See Building Materials.

Cell Phones: Bring cell phones to the DPW yard to benefit the Quincy Veterans Council.

Computers, Keyboards, Printers brought to the DPW yard will benefit the Quincy Veterans Council  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. 

Construction Debris: Quincy residents can dispose of construction and demolition debris at the Semass Braintree Transfer Station at a fee of 10 cents per pound, M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon. Call 781-843-6209 for more information. Or contact a local disposal company listed in the yellow pages or newspaper.
Post renovation construction material may also be donated at www.bbmc.com or by calling 617-442-2262.

CRTs: Cathode Ray Tubes like televisions and monitors will benfit the Quincy Veterans Council IF brough to the DPW yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Otherwise, curbside collection service is available and costs taxpayers $5 per TV/monitor. Call 617-376-7556 by 3 pm the night before your regular trash pick-up day. Then place TV or monitor curbside on your regular trash day. 

Christmas Lights: Recycle Christmas lights at www.christmas-light-source.com or call them at 866-926-4877. All proceeds will be used to purchase books that will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Christmas Trees: Collected curbside for recycling for 2 weeks following Christmas. May also be taken to the DPW Yard M-F, 9 am to 3 pm and Saturdays 9 am-12 noon from mid April through mid-December. See our web page on yard waste collections and drop off availability.

Dehumidifiers: See appliances.

Dishwashers: See appliances. Or donate to Viet Nam Veterans 800-775-8387.

Doors: Quincy residents can dispose of construction and demolition debris like doors at the Braintree Transfer Station at a fee of 10 cents per pound, M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon. Call 781-843-6209 for more information. Doors can also be cut into quarters and placed curbside on your regular trash day.

Drugs/Medicine: Our trash is incinerated so most medications can be disposed of curbside. Controlled substances should be crushed and mixed with coffee grinds, kitty litter or sprinkled in the trash. NEVER PUT MEDICATION DOWN THE DRAIN OR TOILET. Call 617-376-7556 with questions. Recycle empty medicine vials.

Dryers: See appliances. Or donate to Viet Nam Veterans 800-775-8387.

Everything: You can give away just about anything on Craigs List or www.Freecycle.org

Electronics: All home entertainment and business electronics benefit the Quincy Veterans Council and are accepted at the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Also go to http://www.bestbuy.com and type recycle into the search box.

File Cabinet: Bring all metal to DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Fire Extinguisher: Bring empty fire extinguishers to DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Fence: Quincy residents can dispose of construction and demolition debris at the Braintree Transfer Station at a fee of 10 cents per pound, M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon. Call 781-843-6209 for more information.

Furniture: Mattresses, box springs, sofas, chairs, recliners, and lawn furniture may be disposed of curbside.
Several area charities will also accept donated furniture. To donate furniture and other items from your home call Viet Nam Vets at 800-775-8378, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (617) 423-9162 x101, Second Time Around toll free (866) 768-3325, St. Vincent DePaul (800) 675-2882, friends of the Homeless (781) 340-1604, Household Goods Recycling Ministry (978) 635-1763, St. Vincent DePaul Society 800-675-2882 or the Salvation Army (617) 542-5420.

Glass Jars: Place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. Also, three Single Stream recycling dumpsters are at the entrance to the rear yard at the DPW, 55 Sea St.

Grass Cuttings: Collected curbside from April through December. May also be taken to the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. See our web page on yard waste collections and drop off availability.

Household Goods: Bring items in good condition like clothing, linens, household goods, etc. to the Goodwill, 617-745-4144, www.goodwillmass.org OR Big Brother Big Sister, 800-483-5503, www.bbbsfoundation.org OR Viet Nam Veterans, 800-775-8387, www.clothingdonations.org

Humidifiers: See appliances.

Leaves: Collected curbside from April through December. May also be taken to the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. See our web page on yard waste collections and drop off availability.

Lawn Mower: Disconnect gas tank and bring to DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Can also be thrown away in the curbside trash after removing gas tank.

Metal Cans: Place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. Also, three Single Stream recycling dumpsters are at the entrance to the rear yard at the DPW, 55 Sea St.

Mercury-Containing Products: Bring all Mercury items to the white guard shack at the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Acceptable products include thermostats, switches, thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, barometers, fluorescent bulbs and energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

Microwave Ovens: May be placed curbside for regular trash pick-up.

Metal: Large metal items like a desk, wood stove, exercise equipment, bed frame or file cabinet may be taken to the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Office Furniture: Call Boston Restore at 617-288-8400. Also, Quincy residents can dispose of office furniture at the Semass Braintree Transfer Station at a fee of 10 cents per pound, M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon. Call 781-843-6209 for more information.

Oil and Gasoline should be brought to the retail store where it was purchased. We are no longer licensed to take waste oil and gasoline.

Packing P-nuts and Bubble Wrap: Take most packing material like styrofoam p-nuts, bubble wrap and air bags to the UPS Store at the Adams Plaza, 550 Adams St.

Paint, Latex: For small amounts, leave the lid off until dry. For larger amounts, mix with sand, kitty litter or speed dry and pour into shallow cardboard boxes lined with a trash bag to dry. Leave lids off and place in open cardboard box. Do not place pails in plastic bags. Dispose of dry paint in trash.
Donate left over latex paint to The Paint Exchange, 767 Country Way, Scituate.
Oil based paint will not be accepted curbside, but may be taken to the Clean Harbors in Braintree. Also will be accepted in June and October during Quincy's Household Hazardous Waste collection day. See DPW web page for dates.

Paper: Place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. Also, three Single Stream recycling dumpsters are at the entrance to the rear yard at the DPW, 55 Sea St. We take all colored paper, paperboard, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, brochures, telephone books, all types of envelopes, cardboard, paper bags, (paper clips, staples and clasps OK.) We cannot take paper contaminated by food, or treated for wet strength like paper towels, napkins or toilet paper. No wax paper, potato chip bags or pizza boxes.

Paperback Books: Bring to the "Got Books" container in the DPW yard to benefit the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library or place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. 

Plastic Bags: Plastic bag may be taken to local supermarkets like Stop and Shop on Southern Artery and Newport Ave for recycling. Also include plastic bags and wrapping from dry cleaning and food products.

Plastic Bottles: Place in your curbside Single Stream recycling container. Also, three Single Stream recycling dumpsters are at the entrance to the rear yard at the DPW, 55 Sea St. We take all plastic bottles, jugs and containers numbered 1-7 including soda, juice and water bottles, milk and juice jugs, clean food containers like yogurt and butter containers, detergent jugs and shampoo bottles.

Prescription Medicine: Quincy's trash is incinerated so most medications can be disposed of curbside. Controlled substances should be crushed and mixed with coffee grinds, kitty litter or sprinkled in the trash. NEVER PUT MEDICATION DOWN THE DRAIN OR TOILET. Recycle empty medicine vials. Call 617-376-7556 with questions.

Propane Tanks: Empty only. Bring empty tanks to DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. 

Refrigerators: See appliances. Or donate to Viet Nam Veterans 800-775-8387.

Rims: May be taken to the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Rubber Bands: The United States Post Office reuses rubber bands. Leave them out for your mail carrier, take to the Post Office, or place in a bag in a blue mailbox.

Shoes: www.Soles4Souls.org facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the needy worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS, and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

Sink: A sink must be disposed of at the Semass Braintree Transfer Station at a fee of 10 cents per pound, M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon. Call 781-843-6209 for more information.

Smoke Detectors: According to the MA DEP smoke detectors may be disposed of through curbside trash collection (without the batteries and with a 3-triangle recycling symbol) First Alert Corporation will take back any smoke detector made in Aurora, IL. Send to: First Alert, Radioactive Waste Disposal, 780 McClure Road, Aurora, IL 60504-2495.

Sneakers: Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program collects old sneakers of any brand. This program grinds up the shoes and uses them in the surfacing of playgrounds and athletic courts. See the website for details on where you can drop off or mail your old sneakers. Also visit www.soles4souls.org or www.giveshoes.org.

Snow blower: You must call 617-376-7556 by 3 pm the night before your regular trash pick-up day. Remove the gas tank then place curbside on your regular trash day. Snow blowers may also be taken to the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Stoves: See appliances. Or donate to Viet Nam Veterans 800-775-8387.

Styrofoam Peanuts: Check out www.ehow.com or bring to the UPS store at 405 Waltham St. for reuse (781) 861-7770.

Television: See CRTs. Also go to http://www.bestbuy.com and type recycle into the search box.

Thermometer: See Mercury-Containing Products.

Thermostats: See Mercury-Containing Products.

Tires: Please bring to a service station or tire store for reclamation. Most businesses will charge a small fee.

Toilet: Do not place curbside. A-1 New & Used Plumbing and Heating Supplies in Somerville will accept toilets as long as they are not chipped, cracked or broken (617) 625-6140.
Quincy residents can dispose of construction and demolition debris at the Braintree Transfer Station at a fee of 10 cents per pound, M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon. Call 781-843-6209 for more information.

Waste Oil and Gasoline should be brought to the retail store where it was purchased. We are no longer licensed to take waste oil and gasoline.

 Water Heaters: See appliances.

Wood: Quincy residents may dispose of small amounts wood, bundled and tied for curbside collection on their regular trash day. Wood or limbs may only be 1-3 inches in diameter and less than 3 feet long. They must be bundled and tied. Quincy residents can also dispose of construction and demolition debris at the Braintree Transfer Station at a fee of 10 cents per pound, M-F, 7 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon. Call 781-843-6209 for more information..

Wood Stove: May be taken to the DPW Yard M-F, 9 am to 3 pm and Saturdays 9 am-12 noon from mid April through mid-December.

Yardwaste: Collected curbside from April through December. May also be taken to the DPW Yard  Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from April through December from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. See our web page on yard waste collections and drop off availability.

For a comprehensive list of recyclable items sorted by zip code, contact Earth 911, a public/private partnership devoted to making recycling easier and more accessible for all. Call 1-800-CLEANUP or go to www.earth911.org. Also check out http://www.charitynavigator.org.

Mercury is not Just a Planet -State law bans the disposal of products containing mercury in the trash. 

Mercury is a toxic metal. When it is released into the air (by trash incinerators, landfills and wastewater discharges) it can accumulate in people and wildlife. Children and fetuses are particularly vulnerable, because it can damage their developing nervous systems.*

Bring your Mercury containing items such as:
Thermostats  
Thermometers    
Button Batteries                                     
Neon Lamps       
Barometers Flow Meters                      
Hydrometers       
Switches and Relays                                           
Fluorescent Lamps
U-Tubes              
CFL (swirly bulbs)                                  
Ni-cad and Lithium batteries

to the DPW Yard, 55 Sea St., Monday through Friday 7:30 A.M. to 3 P.M. and Saturdays 7:30 to 2:30 from April through mid-December.

 * MA Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Prevention, 2008

Construction and Demolition Materials

State law prohibits the disposal of construction and demolition debris (C & D), through the regular curbside collection service. The City of Quincy has obtained a special rate for Quincy residents to dispose of household C&D. Quincy residents can now bring their household C&D to the Braintree Transfer Station located at 257 Ivory St. for a cost of 10 cents per pound. Ivory St. is off Union St., and is across from the Braintree Commuter Rail Station.

In addition to keeping banned material from contaminating the solid waste stream this special rate will save the city thousands of dollars in disposal fees and encourage homeowner to do the right thing.

The Braintree Transfer Station is open to residents Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. All payments must be made on a credit card only. For more information call 781-843-6209.

Below is a list of materials accepted at the transfer station.

 None of the above material containing asbestos, PCBs or creosote will be accepted. Fines will be applied. This special rate is for private citizens only. Commercial vendors and contractors are not eligible. Proof of residency required.

What NOT to Bring