DARTMOUTH, Mass. – November 25, 2025 – The holidays can generate extra waste, yet Dartmouth residents have many ways to reduce their impact — from recycling, reusing and composting to choosing experiences that create memories instead of clutter.
“When sharing gifts this holiday season, please make room for new items by donating, selling or recycling items you no longer need,” said Tim Barber, Director of Public Works. “Reusing or recycling helps conserve valuable landfill space. As a reminder, please only place accepted materials in recycling carts to keep the program running efficiently. Have a safe and happy holiday season.”
HOLIDAY WASTE REDUCTION TIPS
Cardboard
Empty, flatten, and place boxes in the black-lid recycling cart. Recycle boxes from online shopping, gift boxes, and pizza boxes! Completely empty pizza boxes and recycle them, grease is okay, food is not. Cardboard may also be taken to the Dartmouth Transfer Station (permit required).
Styrofoam and String Lights
Clean Styrofoam blocks and string lights can be recycled at the Dartmouth Transfer Station. These items are not accepted in curbside recycling carts.
Bubble Wrap and Air Pillows
Clean and dry plastic bags, bubble wrap and air pillows may be dropped off at Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, Ocean State Job Lot, Kohl’s and Market Basket. These materials are recycled into Trex composite decking. Do not place them in curbside recycling carts.
Transfer Station Location and Hours
Dartmouth Transfer Station, 976 Russells Mills Road
- Tuesday and Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
- Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Gift Wrap and Greeting Cards
Wrapping paper is not recyclable. Consider using newspaper, grocery store flyers, paper bags or packing paper – which are recyclable. Reusable bags, jars or tins also make great alternatives. Bows, ribbons, and strings cannot be recycled but may be reused.
Plain paper greeting cards may be placed in the black-lid recycling cart. Cards with photo paper, metallic ink, foil, batteries or glitter are not recyclable.
Place empty bottles, cans, jugs and jars in the gray-lid recycling cart.
Sustainable Gift Ideas
Consider low-waste gifts such as experiences (concerts, movies, lessons), digital gift cards or subscriptions, reusable products, handmade items made of recyclables, or vintage finds from thrift stores.
REDUCE HOLIDAY FOOD WASTE WITH LOCAL OPTIONS
The holiday season often means big meals and plenty of leftovers. Join your neighbors in keeping food out of the trash:
- Enjoy leftovers & plan ahead. Smart storage and freezing can make holiday meals last longer. More tips: gnbrrmdistrict.org/food-waste-composting.
- Compost at home. Fruit, veggie scraps, coffee grounds, and more can become soil for spring gardens. Low-cost bins available at Crapo Hill Landfill.
- Curbside pickup. Sign up with Black Earth Compost for weekly or biweekly service.
- FoodCycler appliance. Reduce kitchen waste volume by up to 90%.
- Drop-off at Dartmouth Transfer Station. The transfer station accepts unpackaged food waste—even bones and shells.
For more tips, visit the Dartmouth Recycling Facebook page. For questions, visit https://town.dartmouth.ma.us/219/Solid-Waste-Recycling-Division or call the Dartmouth Department of Public Works at 508-999-0740.