the City of Gloucester

Don’t Wish-cycle! Learn what you can REALLY recycle in Gloucester: gloucester-ma.gov/308/Trash-Recycling  

Beyond the bin - find how to recycle items you can't put in your city recycling bin: recyclesmartma.org/beyond-the-bin-search

Recycling other items: 

• City drop off recycling program (Scrap metal, light bulbs, automotives): https://gloucester-ma.gov/311/Drop-Off-Recycling-Programs 

• Mass Save dehumidifier recycling: Dehumidifier Turn-In Events

• Mass Save refrigerator and freezer recycling: Refrigerator & Freezer Recycling 2025

• Sail recycling: https://www.seasidesustainability.org/sail-recycling

• Collection of Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) by Black Earth Compost: https://blackearthcompost.com/hard-2-recycle/ 

Small businesses can get assistance connecting with recycling services through Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection program RecyclingWorks. Find out more: recyclingworksma.com

Learn how to compost yard and food waste at home using a store bought compost bin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyrwkGIsO8U  

Learn about different types of composting solutions and bins for both yard and food scrap composting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-GjOeBtJ-o  

Yard waste compost drop off: https://gloucester-ma.gov/420/Compost-Facility-Information  

Sign up for composting through Black Earth Compost Residential Collection, started in Gloucester and now serving more than 600 residents. The more residents who sign up the lower the cost of pick-up!

How to repurpose common items: https://earth911.com/home-garden/5-ways-to-repurpose-your-trash/  

Learn to mend your own clothing. There are many tutorials online to fix just about anything you can imagine! 

Take worn out clothing and shoes to a tailor or cobbler to give them new life. 

Search for local Buy-Nothing Groups on Facebook.

Donate gently used items to any of these local charities: 

• Second Glance Thrift Shop by Open Door

• Lifebridge Thrift Shop

• Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop

Borrow what you need from Gloucester’s Library of Things: https://www.sawyerfreelibrary.org/find-it/library-of-things/  

Search for local Buy-Nothing Groups on Facebook  and shop local thrift stores. 

Get started with this guide: https://www.npr.org/2021/07/12/1015296355/zero-waste-single-use-plastic-trash-recycle 

Learn about Gloucester’s Plastic bag ordinance: https://gloucester-ma.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/9850