Recycling Centers in Cambridge, MA
Find drop-off recycling locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Find recycling drop-off locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This directory lists 3 facilities serving the Cambridge area, with details on hours and contact information to help you plan your visit.
Recycling in Cambridge: A Local Guide
Cambridge has three recycling drop-off locations serving its roughly 120,000 residents: one city-operated facility accepting a broad range of hard-to-recycle materials at no charge, and two locations of Shredtronics offering certified electronics recycling and secure data destruction on Massachusetts Ave.
The Cambridge Recycling Center at 147 Hampshire St — tucked in the back right corner of the Public Works yard — is the go-to free option for Cambridge residents and qualifying small businesses. It accepts fluorescent and LED bulbs, mercury devices, alkaline and rechargeable batteries, small electronics (phones, computers, string lights), plastic bags and film, scrap metal (no sealed containers), bulky plastics, printer cartridges, and books. Blue-cart recyclables are welcome as well. Hours are limited: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4–7:30 PM, and Saturdays 9 AM–4 PM. Admission is free for Cambridge residents, nonprofits, and businesses with 50 or fewer employees.
For electronics recycling with a data-security requirement, Shredtronics at 1105 Massachusetts Ave (inside Professional Geeks, Cambridge MA 02138) is open Monday–Friday 10 AM–6 PM and Saturday 10 AM–4 PM. It issues certificates of destruction and complies with HIPAA, GDPR, and EPA standards — a practical option for local businesses retiring company devices.
A second Shredtronics location at 950 Massachusetts Ave (Cambridge MA 02139, near Central Square) keeps extended hours: Monday–Saturday 10 AM–7 PM. Both Shredtronics sites accept phones, laptops, tablets, hard drives, and general electronics; fees vary — call ahead for current pricing.
Household hazardous waste (paint, solvents, pesticides) is not accepted at any of these three sites; Cambridge DPW holds periodic HHWE collection events for those materials. For resources beyond Cambridge, nearby cities include Somerville, Boston, and Worcester. Browse all Massachusetts recycling centers for statewide options.
All Recycling Centers in Cambridge
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Cambridge
Is the Cambridge Recycling Center at Hampshire St free to use?
Yes — the Cambridge Recycling Center at 147 Hampshire St is free for Cambridge residents, nonprofits, and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 4–7:30 PM and Saturdays 9 AM–4 PM. Larger businesses must use a private recycler.
Where can I recycle fluorescent bulbs or batteries in Cambridge?
The Cambridge Recycling Center at 147 Hampshire St accepts fluorescent and LED bulbs, mercury devices, alkaline batteries (sorted separately), and rechargeable batteries at no charge. It is the only free drop-off point in Cambridge for these items outside of scheduled HHWE events.
Which Shredtronics location in Cambridge has the longest hours?
The Shredtronics at 950 Massachusetts Ave (near Central Square) is open Monday–Saturday 10 AM–7 PM — an hour later on weekdays and three hours later on Saturdays than the 1105 Massachusetts Ave location.
Can Cambridge businesses get a data-destruction certificate for old computers?
Yes. Both Shredtronics locations — 1105 Massachusetts Ave and 950 Massachusetts Ave — provide HIPAA and GDPR-compliant data destruction with certificates issued on request, and offer business pickup service for large-volume e-waste.