Dump and transfer station options in Cambridge, MA
Recycling Center hours and what it takes
The Center is in the back right corner of the Public Works yard at 147 Hampshire Street, open Tuesday and Thursday 4 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It takes batteries (alkaline sorted from other types), fluorescent bulbs, mercury items, small electronics, computers, cell phones, string lights, books, plastic bags, and scrap metal without sealed containers or appliances. It does not take trash or paint.
It's for Cambridge residents plus Cambridge small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees. No winter hours were posted, so call 617-349-4800.
Hazardous waste and bigger items
Paint, pesticides, car fluids and propane go to the city's Household Hazardous Waste Day at 50 Mooney Street. The last 2026 date is Saturday, Nov 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents only with proof of residency. Construction debris, asbestos, bleach, ammonia, smoke detectors and syringes are refused. Latex paint can be dried out and put in the trash with the lid off.
Appliances and large TVs go through the city's permit pickup and mattresses through UTEC, not the Center.
Debris with no city route
Anything the Center and the permit pickup don't take, such as renovation debris or an estate cleanout, is a private job. A quarter trailer is $209, a half $319 and a full trailer $519. A dumpster on a Cambridge street needs a city Dumpster Permit that reserves the curb space.
The DPW is also piloting pop-up recycling events at other sites.
Cambridge drop-off hours
| Where | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling Center, 147 Hampshire St | Tue and Thu 4-7:30 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Small electronics, batteries, bulbs, scrap metal |
| HHW Day, 50 Mooney St | Sat Nov 7, 2026, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Paint, pesticides, car fluids, tires (max 4) |
| Curbside | Trash day; permit items Wed or Thu | One furniture piece a week; permit for appliances |
| UTEC | Booked online | Mattresses, $45 each |
Local resources in Cambridge
Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.
- Recycling
Cambridge Recycling Center (DPW yard)
Residents plus small Cambridge businesses; the place for e-waste and scrap that cannot go curbside. No winter hours posted; call 617-349-4800. In Cambridge itself.
147 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139 - Hazardous waste
Cambridge Household Hazardous Waste Day (50 Mooney St)
Four days a year; construction debris and asbestos refused. In Cambridge itself.
50 Mooney St, Cambridge, MA 02138 - Mattress recycling
UTEC mattress recycling (Cambridge program)
Accepts: Mattresses and box springs, $45 each; check the program page for collection rules
City-contracted nonprofit; UTEC 978-856-3997; slots fill fast.
Booked online; curbside pickup
Quick answers
Does Cambridge have a dump?
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No transfer station that takes furniture. The Recycling Center takes small electronics, batteries and scrap metal.
Can businesses use the Recycling Center?
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Cambridge small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees can.
Is there a fee at the Recycling Center?
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The pages we read list no fee.
Sources
Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Cambridge before you go.
- Cambridge DPW: Recycling Center: “Tuesdays, 4PM-7:30PM Thursdays, 4PM-7:30PM Saturdays, 9AM-4PM” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Cambridge DPW: Recycling Center (who may use it): “small businesses and non-profit organizations in Cambridge with 50 employees or fewer” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Cambridge DPW: Household hazardous waste: “Sat. November 7, 2026, 9am-1pm: 50 Mooney St.” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Cambridge: Street occupancy permits: “A Dumpster Permit allows you to reserve curb space for the purpose of temporarily placing a dumpster on a City street” · accessed October 31, 2026