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1. Does Concord have a dump where I can take my trash?

No, Concord closed its landfill in 1993. To receive trash and recycling collection, residents can subscribe to the Town's municipal curbside collection program. To dispose of large items residents may contact Concord Public Works for additional options at 978-318-3240 or bring items to Concord's semi-annual Drop-Off Days.

2. Is there a place where I can drop off recyclable materials?

Mixed paper, glass bottles and jars, metal cans, and plastic containers are only collected at curbside. Residents must sign up for the municipal collection program to recycle these items.

3. How do I dispose of hazardous materials?

Subscribers to the municipal curbside collection program receive a pass to 1 event per year as part of their subscription to the curbside program. To attend an event, subscribers must first contact Concord Public Works at 978-318-3240 and fill out a registration form.

Residents that do not subscribe to the curbside program can attend the event for a fee. 10-gallons or less typically cost about $35, 25-gallons or less will cost about $60. Bring identification and a check, as cash and credit cards are not accepted. If you have any questions please contact Concord Public Works at 978-318-3240. View more details on the Household Hazardous Waste Facility page.

4. How do I safely dispose of items that contain mercury?

All of the rivers and ponds in Concord are contaminated with mercury, and residents are warned not to eat the fish because of the high levels of mercury in the fish that live in the water. The source of this contamination is mercury in rainwater. The mercury in rainwater is thought to come from coal-burning power plants in the mid west (50%), local medical incinerators (25%), and local solid waste incinerators (25%). Mercury in local solid waste incinerators comes from fluorescent bulbs, mercury fever thermometers, thermostats, button batteries, and similar mercury-containing devices. The best way to prevent mercury from ending up in our lakes and streams is to keep it out of our incinerators. Residents can recycle many mercury-containing devices at locations in Concord. 

Fluorescent bulbs: All fluorescent bulbs, straight, U, circular, and compact contain mercury may be recycled at Concord Public Works located at 133 Keyes Road, Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 3 PM. In addition items may be recycled at Vanderhoof Hardware.  

Button Batteries: Small button batteries used in watches, hearing aids, laser pointers, and more still contain small amounts of mercury and other heavy metals. These batteries may be recycled at Concord Public Works, Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 3 PM.  

Intact mercury-containing devices, such as thermostats and fever thermometers, may be recycled at Concord Public Works located at 133 Keyes Road, Monday-Thursday 9 AM to 3 PM. 

Mercury that is not contained in a manufactured device, such as mercury from a broken fever thermometer, a jar of elemental mercury, and more should be taken to the Minuteman Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Contact Concord Public Works at 978-318-3240 for more information on hazardous waste disposal.

5. What should I do with my Styrofoam?

The market for used Styrofoam in New England is very limited at this time and no curbside program collects it. Styrofoam packaging peanuts are quite expensive to purchase, and the best way to recycle clean and dry peanuts is to take them to a business that will reuse them, such as UPS Store on Thoreau Street. If you do throw them away, they must be placed in a securely tied bag, or they may end up all over your neighborhood.

Styrofoam block that comes with new products, such as computers and small household appliances, can be recycled at the Drop-off Days sponsored by ReUsIt and Concord Public Works each spring and fall if it is clean and dry. For information and Drop-off dates call Concord Public Works at 978-318-3240. Clean Styrofoam cups, trays, and takeout clam shells will also be accepted on DropOff Days.

6. How can I recycle plastic flowerpots?

Clean plastic flowerpots can be recycled at curbside.

7. How do I dispose of my old fire extinguisher?

Because fire extinguishers are under pressure they should not be disposed of with your regular trash. To recycle them take them to the Fire Department or bring them to ReUsIt and Concord Public Works’ spring or fall DropOff Day.

8. What happens to the bottle deposit when I put deposit bottles and cans in my recycling bin?

When deposit containers are recycled at curbside or thrown in the trash instead of returned for deposit, the unclaimed deposit goes into the Massachusetts General fund. Until 2002 the unclaimed bottle deposits went to a special fund, the Clean Environment Fund, which was used to support recycling programs, hazardous waste cleanups, and more but this fund was abolished during the state budget crisis. Since then the unclaimed deposits have gone directly into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Fund.

9. What should I do with my old cell phone?

Working and non-working cell phones may be brought to the ReUsIt and Concord Public Works spring and fall DropOff Days.