Recycling Collection

View information about the Town of Andover’s Curbside  Recycling Collection. You can also use our new app below to view information for specific items or to see schedules tailored to your address.

Collection Day Calendar, Reminders & Alerts with our new Solid Waste App! 

 Enter your address* to view your collection days for garbage, recycling, and leaf collection. You can also download our mobile app from Apple's App Store or the Google Play App Store. 

  • View, download and print your Collection Calendar
  • Sign up for reminders (email, phone, text)
  • Upload to your personal calendar (iCal, Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook)
  • Find out how to properly recycle or dispose of waste with our "Waste Wizard" tool

*Addresses that are not on Town collection will remain so regardless of search results. No schedules have changed. Please use the app or email recycle@andoverma.us to report incorrect addresses or collection schedule information.

About Recycling Collection

Related: Curbside Regulations

Single Stream Recycling: Recycling is single stream, meaning allowable items of cardboard, mixed paper, food and beverage glass, certain plastics, and metals may be combined in your container. Place recycling loose in your container; do not use plastic bags or liners. 

Containers: The Town supplies 95-gallon recycling containers to residents on Town collection. Residents requiring additional recycling containers may obtain one at no cost (starting September 1st). Residents can also choose to swap out their 95-gallon container for a reduced size, a 35-gallon container. Extra or reduced-sized containers can be obtained through the Department of Public Works by using the Public Works Request App.  All recycling must fit in your container with the lid closed. Please break down cardboard boxes to maximize space in your container

The following CANNOT be recycled curbside - please keep these out of your bin.  Please use the "wizard" above to search specific items. 

  •  Any Item Marked #6 
  • Compostable Plastics (PLA7)
  • Any Carton (milk, juice, soup) 
  • Dirty/Greasy Pizza Boxes 
  • Frozen Food Boxes
  • Any Item With Food Residue
  • Shredded Paper
  • Plastic Bags, Wraps or Pouches 
  • Foods and Liquids
  • Non-food or Beverage Glass
  • Hot Coffee Cups (all types)
  • Garden Hoses, String Lights, Ropes, or other “Tanglers”
  • Clothing or Linens
  • Napkins, Tissues, Towels or Wipes
  • Anything 2” or Smaller, or Smaller than a credit card

What Happens to My Recycling?

Recycling collected from residents, schools, and Town buildings is brought to a local Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). At a MRF, various technologies such as conveyor belts, screens, magnets, and optical sorting systems are utilized to separate different types of materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals. Once sorted, these materials are often baled or otherwise prepared for transport to recycling facilities where they can be reprocessed into new products. MRFs play a crucial role in the recycling process by increasing the efficiency of material recovery, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, and promoting sustainable resource management practices. 

Learn more about how a Materials Recovery Facility works!  Take a tour of a Republic Services MRF: Recycling Center Video Tour Grades 9-12 (Youtube)