Watertown Dump and Transfer Station: Recycle Center

What the Recycle Center takes

Enter off Green River Way, the one-way access to 76 Stanley Ave. The center accepts cardboard, textiles, metal, yard waste, commingled recyclables, electronics, hard plastic items such as kiddie pools and tyke toys, mercury and fluorescent bulbs, and food scraps for community compost. No bags are allowed in the compost totes. It is for residents only: bring Watertown ID, no businesses, and dumping outside operating hours is prohibited. Many electronic waste items are free to drop there, which beats the fee-based curbside option for TVs and monitors.

What it does not take, and where that goes

Furniture, mattresses, construction debris and household trash cannot go to Stanley Ave. Furniture goes by Republic's curbside appointment, mattresses to HandUp, and trash into your tote or privately. The nearest places that do accept bulky waste are in other towns, and Watertown's own Donate-Don't-Dispose page lists Household Goods in Acton and The Wish Project rather than a local drop-off. Habitat for Humanity has announced a Watertown ReStore at 44 Green River Way, the same lane as the Recycle Center, but no opening date is posted.

Planning a trip

The three-day schedule makes weekends the busy time, since Saturday is the only weekend day. A short trip with a car load of metal, a flat-screen TV and cardboard takes minutes. For anything that needs a truck bed, such as a washer plus a table, split it between the center for metal and a pickup for the rest, or have JunkRun take the lot. Plan around the hours, because dumping outside operating hours is prohibited. Bring a Watertown ID every time, since attendants check it and businesses are turned away.

Recycle Center week

Monday
Closed.
Tuesday 9am-4pm
Open, ID required.
Wednesday and Thursday
Closed; Thursday is also curbside furniture day.
Friday 9am-4pm
Open.
Saturday 9am-4pm
Open; usually the busiest day.
Sunday
Closed.

Local resources in Watertown

Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.

Town
Watertown Recycle Center
Accepts: Mercury items and fluorescent bulbs
Open Tue, Fri, Sat 9am-4pm year round; Watertown ID required, no businesses. In Watertown itself.
76 Stanley Ave, Watertown, MA 02472 (enter via Green River Way)
Website for Watertown Recycle Center
Habitat ReStore
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Watertown (announced)
Accepts: Appliances, furniture and building materials once open
Habitat's site says it opens 'this fall' with no date posted; check before driving over. In Watertown itself.
44 Green River Way, Watertown, MA
Website for Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Watertown (announced)

Quick answers

Does Watertown have a dump for furniture?

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No. The Recycle Center does not accept furniture.

Can contractors use the Recycle Center?

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No, businesses are not allowed.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Watertown before you go.

City of Watertown: Recycle Center: “Service is accessible to Watertown Residents only – ID required. No businesses” · accessed October 31, 2026
City of Watertown: Electronic Waste: “Many electronic waste items can be brought to the Recycle Center for no fee” · accessed October 31, 2026
City of Watertown: Donate - Don't Dispose: “To arrange a pickup of furniture and other items at your home, contact: Household Goods in Acton” · accessed October 31, 2026
Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston: ReStore: “a new Habitat Greater Boston ReStore is opening soon at 44 Green River Way in Watertown” · accessed October 31, 2026

Dump and transfer station options in Watertown, MA