Recycling Centers in New Hampshire: 144 Locations

Recycling in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has 144 recycling centers spread across 96 cities and towns — one of the broadest geographic distributions in New England. The NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), through its Solid Waste Management Bureau (SWMB), administers solid waste and recycling programs under the Solid Waste Management Act (RSA 149-M). While New Hampshire's recycling is not mandatory under state law, RSA 149-M establishes a waste management hierarchy that strongly encourages recycling and source reduction, and the state enforces six active disposal bans that prohibit specific materials from landfills and incinerators. New Hampshire does not have a bottle deposit (container redemption) law — a 2026 bill to establish one (HB1679-FN) was voted inexpedient to legislate.

With 96 cities and towns served, New Hampshire has a notably distributed recycling network. Nashua leads with 8 centers, followed by Salem (6 centers), Concord (5 centers), Manchester (5 centers), Rochester (4 centers), Loudon (3 centers), Dover (3 centers), and Londonderry (3 centers). Most New Hampshire communities operate or contract with a municipal transfer station that serves as a drop-off hub for both trash and recyclables, reflecting the state's strong tradition of local town governance.

New Hampshire enforces six categories of material banned from landfill and incinerator disposal under RSA 149-M:27 and RSA 149-M:58: (1) wet-cell batteries, banned since 1991; (2) rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, banned effective July 1, 2025; (3) electronic devices — TVs, monitors, computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, and related peripherals — banned since 2007 and updated in 2024; (4) food waste from commercial generators producing 1+ tons per week within 20 miles of a processing facility, banned effective February 1, 2025; (5) leaf and yard waste, banned since 1993; and (6) mercury-added products including CFLs, fluorescent lamps, thermostats, and button cell batteries, banned since 2008. Residents can drop off banned materials at local transfer stations, collection events, or participating retailers. For broader context, neighboring states Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts all have active bottle deposit programs and expanded recycling mandates.

Top Cities by Number of Centers

Nashua 8 Salem 6 Concord 5 Manchester 5 Rochester 4 Dover 3 Epping 3 Hudson 3

All Cities in New Hampshire

Acworth 1 center Amherst 1 center Andover 1 center Ashland 1 center Atkinson 1 center Barrington 1 center Belmont 1 center Bow 1 center Bradford 1 center Bristol 1 center Brookline 1 center Canaan 1 center Candia 1 center Canterbury 1 center Center Conway 1 center Center Ossipee 2 centers Center Tuftonboro 1 center Claremont 2 centers Concord 5 centers Dalton 1 center Derry 2 centers Dorchester 1 center Dover 3 centers Durham 1 center Epping 3 centers Epsom 1 center Exeter 1 center Francestown 1 center Gilford 1 center Goffstown 1 center Greenfield 1 center Greenville 1 center Harrisville 1 center Hillsborough 1 center Holderness 1 center Hollis 1 center Hooksett 1 center Hopkinton 1 center Hudson 3 centers Jackson 1 center Keene 2 centers Kingston 1 center Laconia 1 center Lancaster 1 center Landaff 1 center Lebanon 1 center Lee 1 center Lempster 1 center Litchfield 1 center Littleton 1 center Londonderry 3 centers Loudon 3 centers Manchester 5 centers Marlborough 2 centers Meriden 1 center Merrimack 1 center Milan 1 center Milford 2 centers Moultonborough 1 center Nashua 8 centers New Boston 2 centers New Hampton 1 center New London 1 center Newington 1 center Newport 1 center Newton 1 center North Hampton 1 center Northfield 1 center Northwood 3 centers Nottingham 1 center Pelham 1 center Peterborough 1 center Pittsfield 1 center Plaistow 2 centers Plymouth 1 center Portsmouth 2 centers Raymond 2 centers Rochester 4 centers Rollinsford 1 center Salem 6 centers Seabrook 1 center South Sutton 1 center Strafford 1 center Thornton 1 center Tilton 1 center Walpole 1 center Washington 1 center Weare 2 centers West Chesterfield 1 center West Lebanon 2 centers West Swanzey 1 center Westmoreland 1 center Wilton 2 centers Winchester 1 center Windham 1 center Wolfeboro 1 center

Recycling in New Hampshire — FAQ

Does New Hampshire have a bottle deposit or container redemption law?

No. New Hampshire does not have a bottle deposit law. A 2026 bill (HB1679-FN) to establish a beverage container redemption program was voted inexpedient to legislate by the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee. Residents can recycle beverage containers through local transfer stations or curbside programs, but there is no refundable deposit system in the state.

What materials are banned from New Hampshire landfills?

Under RSA 149-M, six categories are banned from disposal in NH landfills and incinerators: (1) wet-cell batteries (banned 1991) and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (banned July 1, 2025); (2) electronic devices including TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, and cell phones (banned 2007, updated 2024); (3) food waste from large commercial generators near a processing facility (banned Feb 1, 2025); (4) leaf and yard waste (banned 1993); and (5) mercury-added products such as CFLs, fluorescent lamps, and thermostats (banned 2008). Residents should bring banned materials to their local transfer station.

Is recycling mandatory in New Hampshire?

Not at the state level. RSA 149-M does not establish recycling as a mandatory practice for residents or businesses. However, the law establishes a waste management hierarchy that prioritizes source reduction and recycling over disposal, and the six landfill disposal bans effectively require residents to recycle or properly manage banned materials. Some municipalities may have local ordinances requiring separation of recyclables.

Where can I recycle electronics in New Hampshire?

Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, laptops, tablets, cell phones, printers, and related peripherals) are banned from landfill disposal in New Hampshire under RSA 149-M:27. They can be recycled at your local municipal transfer station, through collection events, or at certain retail drop-off locations. NHDES maintains guidance at des.nh.gov and NH Recycles (nhrecycles.org) provides a locator and educational resources.