Most Peterborough residents recognize the Peterborough Recycling Center as the place where we can get rid of trash (in pre-paid blue bags), and where we can recycle clean cardboard and paper, aluminum and steel cans, bottles and jugs made of #1 and #2 plastic, glass bottles and jars, and ceramics.

Fewer residents are aware that the recycling center will also accept and properly recycle many other items, including compost, Styrofoam, light bulbs, plastic bags, and more, as summarized in the list of recycling center services below and explained on the recycling center page of the Town of Peterborough website.

Probably even fewer residents realize that it is a source of free, useful materials, many of which are located behind the recycling center.

Are you planting a garden or rejuvenating a lawn? You may want to take advantage of composted food waste, turned into yard loam. Wood chips are also available. They’re good for garden mulch, creating pathways, and much more.

Are you contemplating a construction project? The recycling center offers a variety of scrap metals and clean wood.

The MiniMall, or swap shop, is a well-known feature of the recycling center. It’s important to check with an attendant before putting an item into the MiniMall, but when you find something useful, you don’t need to check with an attendant before taking it home.

Questions? Give the recycling center a call at (603) 924-8095.

The recycling center is funded by tax dollars. We hope the following list of recycling center services will help you take full advantage of your investment.

Basic recycling groups:

  • Cardboard
  • Newspaper
  • Mixed paper
  • Steel cans
  • #1&2 Plastic bottles and jugs
  • Aluminum cans (only)
  • Wood ash
  • Food Scraps for compost (non-meat, non-dairy)
  • Scrap metal recycling (the two blue/grey dumpsters)
  • Waste oil (inside the recycling center — please see an attendant.)
  • Styrofoam collection
  • Electrical wire collection
  • Plastic bag and bubble wrap collection
  • Eye glass collection
  • Glass and ceramics recycling
  • Clothing donations
  • Book donation
  • Tire recycling without rims
  • Wood brush pile (one load a day)
  • Clean wood/wood pallet drop off
  • Leaf and yard refuse

For all other items, please see an attendant. These include electronics, household chemicals, paint, furniture, general demolition/ construction debris, pressure-treated, painted, stained and plywood, propane and fire extinguisher tanks and air conditioners.

Joel Huberman is a member of the Peterborough Recycling Center Advisory Committee and Darren Smith is the Peterborough Recycling Center manager.