Recycling Guide
Provincetown accepts the following single stream materials in its curbside program.
Remember, items placed in your container should be loose, clean, and dry.
Never bag your recyclables!
Do
Paper
Plastic
Provincetown accepts these items made from the following plastic resin codes:
Don't forget you're in a "bottle bill" state and you can return empty beverage containers to be recycled and receive a refund.
Glass
Don't forget you're in a "bottle bill" state and you can return empty beverage containers to be recycled and receive a refund.
Drop-Off
Cardboard
Please breakdown your cardboard so that it is flat. Taking your cardboard to the Recycling Center saves the Town of Provincetown money.
Scrap Metal
Please put metal items in the scrap metal pile to the right of the gatehouse. Fees may apply. Scrap metal is recycled by either Excell Recycling in Westport, MA or Middleboro Recycling in Middleboro, MA.
Food Waste / Compost
The Department of Public Works Sanitation Department and the Recycling & Renewable Energy Committee have launched a residential composting program in Provincetown. Residents can now take their food scraps to the transfer station! Your food scraps will be turned into nutrient-rich compost by Black Earth. Put your food waste in the carts located in the Compost Cottage by the yard waste piles. Do's
- vegetables
- fruits
- breads/cereal
- flowers
- coffee/filters
- tea bags (staples okay)
- egg shells
- meat/bones
- paper napkins
- tissues
- dog/cat poop
- kitty litter
- plastic bags**
- trash
Appliances
We accept most appliances, including washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, air conditioners, microwaves, TVs and monitors. $20 fee each.
Batteries
Please drop off Lithium Ion batteries and lead-acid batteries (car batteries) at the gate house. Alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V) may be put in your household trash. test
Bicycles
Bicycles do not need to be in working condition. $5 fee.
Electronics
TVs and monitors , $20 fee.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers do not need to be empty when dropped off. $5 fee.
Lightbulbs fluorescent
We accept fluorescent and compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) only. LED and incandescent lightbulbs can be put in the trash.
Mattresses
The mattresses you bring to the Provincetown Transfer Station & Recycling Center will be recycled (or resold) by Hand Up Mattress Resale & Recycling in New Bedford, MA. Fees apply:
- crib mattress $20
- twin mattress or box spring $35
- full mattress or box spring $40
- queen mattress or box spring $45
- king mattress or box spring $50
Mercury
Thermostats, thermometers, etc. Bring to the gate house for safe disposal.
Packaging Peanuts
Packaging peanuts can be dropped off (and pickup up) from the shed towards the back of the transfer station.
Propane Tanks
Propane tanks do not need to be empty to be dropped off.
Textiles
Drop off your textiles in the container located to the right of the Swap Shop. You may also donate good quality clothing to Ruthie's Boutique and the Thrift Shop at the Provincetown United Methodist Church.
Tires
Tires brought to the transfer station are taken to F & B Rubberized in New Bedford, MA. The following fees apply:
- car tires ($5)
- truck tires ($10)
- machine tires ($35)
Lumber
Clean wood waste only. No nails, paint, treatments or stains. $20 per load. Wood is transported to S & J Exco, Inc., in South Dennis. In operation since 1958, S & J Exco, Inc. is an environmentally conscious scrap metal purchaser and wood waste recycler, transfer station and landscape supply facility.
Toilets
Toilets and sinks accepted. $10 fee (each).
Yard Waste Grass and Leaves
Grass clippings and leaves only. Fees apply to businesses and commercial haulers.
Yard Waste Brush
Brush only. Cut any limbs in 4 foot segments. Fees apply to businesses and commercial haulers.
Christmas Trees
HOLIDAY TREE DISPOSAL PLAN Happy Holidays everyone. Here is what to do with your tree when the holidays are over. The DPW Highway Department will start picking up trees on Monday, January 5, 2026 and will continue to pickup them up until Friday, February 6, 2026. Pickup will be on the same day as your curbside trash and recycling pickup so if your trash pickup is on Monday, your tree will also be picked up on Monday. Please keep in mind that the Highway Department will be doing this pickup, not the Sanitation Department. If you do not want to wait for curbside pickup day, feel free to bring to the Transfer Station Tuesday thru Saturday from 7am to 2pm. Staff there will direct you where to deposit your tree. Thank you and if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sherry Prada, DPW Deputy Director at 508-487-7060 or email at sprada@provincetown-ma.gov.
Don't
Top Contaminants
Paper
- paper towels
- tissues
- metallic paper
- hardcover books
Plastic
- styrofoam
- plastic cutlery
- bubblewrap
- k cups
- flower pots
Glass
- glassware / Pyrex
- window glass
- ceramics
- lightbulbs
Metal
- hangers
- propane tanks