Portsmouth offers single stream recycling, which means residents put all mixed recyclable waste into one recycling bin.

Recyclables 

...must be dry, loose (not bagged) and include ONLY the following: 

• Aluminum cans - empty
• PET bottles with the symbol #1 - with screw tops only - empty
  • Caps are now recyclable, simply put them back on empty container before tossing in the bin. 
• HDPE plastic bottles with the symbol #2 (milk, water bottles, detergent, and shampoo bottles, etc.) - empty
• Plastic containers with symbols #3-#7 - empty (no expanded polystyrene)
• Steel and tin cans - empty
  • Empty aerosol cans can also be recycled; if the can has a plastic lid, you should remove it. 
• Glass food and beverage containers - brown, clear or green - empty
• Newspaper
• Mail
• Magazines, glossy inserts and pamphlets
• Uncoated paperboard (ex. cereal boxes; food and snack boxes)
• Uncoated printing, writing and office paper
• Old corrugated containers/cardboard (uncoated)
  • Flatten cardboard to make room for more materials to fit in your recycling. 
• Phone books

Non-Recyclables

...include, but are note limited to the following:

• Plastic bags and bagged materials (even if containing recyclables)
  • If you store your recyclables in a bag, simply dump them out when you get to your bin and re-use the bag. 
  • Do not bag recyclables. Plastic bags have a habit of getting tangled in equipment. Find where you can recycle them at plasticfilmrecycling.org.
• Mirrors
• Light bulbs
• Porcelain and ceramics
• Expanded polystyrene
  • Polystyrene foam and plastic "to-go" containers and cups are made of unrecyclable materials, and cannot be collected curbside.
  • Packing peanuts aren't recyclable either, however some shipping stores will take peanuts back for re-use.
• Glass and metal cookware/bakeware
• Hoses, cords, wires
  • Garden hoses, ropes, leashes, wires and string wrap around equipment and shut down entire recycling centers; ensure they only go in the trash. 
• Flexible plastic or film packaging and multi-laminated materials
  • Flexible packaging like chip bags and juice or soup pouches are made from multiple materials preventing it from being recycled; it must be trashed. 
• Food waste and liquids, containers containing such items
  • Food waste can be dropped off at Public Works' Recycling Center for composting.
  • Cardboard pizza delivery boxes without leftovers, grease, or liners should be recycled; tear off the soiled parts and recycle the rest. 
• Excluded materials and containers which contained excluded materials
• Any recyclable materials or pieces of recyclables less than 4" in size in any dimension
• Microwavable trays
• Window or auto glass
• Coated cardboard
• Plastics unnumbered
• Coat hangers
• Household appliances and electronics
• Yard waste, construction debris and wood
• Needles, syringes, IV bags or other medical supplies
  • Needles can cause serious injuries to workers, so dispose of them in a rigid container and place in trash. 
• Textiles, cloth, or any fabric (bedding, pillows, sheets, etc.)
• Napkins, paper towels, tissue, paper plates, paper cups and plastic utensils
  • Cups with plastic or waxed coatings are not recyclable; the plastic lid should be trashed as well. 
• Propane tanks, batteries 
• Soiled and wet paper should be placed in the trash - or composted!
• Dirty diapers and pet waste
• Scrap metal, auto parts, and tires
• Large household items
  • Clothing, textiles, shower curtains, swimming pools, and fencing don't below in the recycle or waste bin. 

2016 Recovery Rate Analysis

• Use paper bags or trash barrel clearly marked “yard waste”. 
• Bags no more than 50 lbs each.  
• Brush – must be bundled into groups for easy pick up.  Bundles should not be greater than 1’ in diameter and 4’ in length.  Brush pieces w/in bundles no greater than 5” in diameter.  Use string or twine to bundle.
• Click here for more details. 

Residents can bring bulky waste items to the Recycling Center.  If you are unable to bring your bulky waste to the Recycling Center (427-1530):

• Call Public Works to schedule a pick.  The bulky waste will not be picked up unless you schedule a pick up.
• Public Works will schedule and let you know of the date(s) for collection of your specified materials. 
• Place your bulky waste curbside no earlier than 7:00 P.M. the evening before the scheduled pick-up date.
• Do not place the waste curbside without scheduling a collection date with Public Works.

Each residential property is allowed 4 curbside collections of bulky waste per calendar quarter, each of which shall be limited to a maximum of 64 cubic feet per collection (approximately a mid-sized pick-up truck load).

Specialty items Portsmouth residents can recycle – bring to the Recycling Center, no curbside collection available

• Antifreeze
• Batteries -(Please note: Alkaline Batteries can be disposed of in the regular household trash.) 
• Clothing 
• Cooking oil
• Eyeglasses
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Oil & oil filters
• Propane tanks (empty)
• Vegetable oil

RV waste (Pease Treatment Plant, (603) 427-1553)

The following items can be disposed of throughout the year – bring to the Recycling Center or call DPW to schedule a pick up:

A fee is charged for these items to cover extra handling and processing for proper disposal.
$ 5.00 per tire
$10.00 per electronic unit
$20.00 per freon containing unit (i.e. refrigerators, air conditioners)

Public Works hosts bi-annual household hazardous waste collection days at their facility.

Household Hazardous Waste Items: 

• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Antifreeze
• Transmission Fluid, Engine Degreaser, Brake Fluid
• Oil-based paints
• Stains, Thinners & Strippers
• Solvents & Varnishes
• Hobby Supplies, Art Supplies
• Pesticides
• Drain cleaners
• Oven cleaners
• Spot removers
• Photographic chemicals
• Swimming Pool Chemicals
• Adhesives, Glues, Resins
• Poisons, Insecticides, Weed Killers
• Disinfectants