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Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Implementing Mandatory Recycling & Private Hauler Regulations

Helpful information for cities and towns from MassDEP.

Local mandatory recycling bylaws or ordinances, limits on the number of trash barrels collected per household, and private hauler recycling regulations can all be effective tools in reducing solid waste tonnage and municipal disposal costs.

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Table of Contents

Municipal Recycling Rules & Regulations

M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section H: Recycling Programs 
M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 31A: Permits for Removal or Transportation of Garbage 
M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 31B: Rules & Regulations for Removal of Garbage 
Hauler Recycling Rules Database, January 2018 (PDF 420.93 KB)
Mandatory Recycling Rules Database, January 2018 (PDF 387.29 KB)

Developing Private Hauler Regulations

MassDEP Best Practices for Municipalities Developing Private Hauler Regulations (PDF 117.39 KB)
Attachments to Private Hauler Regulation Best Practices (PDF 159.86 KB)
Wicked Local News Article: Kingston Board of Health to Require Private Haulers to Recycle 

Mandatory Recycling in Practice

Mandatory Recycling Policy Example: Town of Abington (PDF 60.8 KB)
Mandatory Recycling Policy Example: City of Attleboro (PDF 14.8 KB)
Mandatory Recycling Case Study: City of Haverhill (PDF 30.5 KB)
Mandatory Recycling Case Study: City of Lowell (PDF 29.93 KB)
Mandatory Recycling Case Study: City of Springfield (PDF 40.54 KB)

Mandatory Recycling Outreach & Education

MassDEP Municipal Waste Reduction Toolkit Module 2: Using Mandatory Recycling to Reduce Disposal Costs (PDF 4.33 MB)
Mandatory Recycling Mailer: City of Amesbury (PDF 1.01 MB)
Mandatory Recycling Mailer: City of Haverhill (PDF 800.23 KB)
Example Warning Doorhanger & Letter: City of Salem (PDF 325.24 KB)
Example Warning Sticker & Fine/Non-Collection Notices: City of Springfield (PDF 101.22 KB)
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