FAQ
If I don't currently recycle but want to, how can I get a cart?
      Please click here to sign up for a free cart.  You will be contacted via e-mail or phone at least two weeks prior to delivery of your new cart. 
   
Where can I bring my old TV, computer monitor or CPU?
 

Televisions, computer monitors, CPU's and other electronics like VCR's, DVD players, stereos, keyboards, etc. can be brought to the Drop Off Facility free of charge.  You must show proof of residency or have a business in Manchester.  The City works with a local vendor who recycles these items.

Alternatives for Electronics Recycling:

  • Best Buy Stores - No matter where you bought it, they will recycle it.  Every store has a free recycling kiosk for you to drop off ink and toner cartridges, rechargeable batteries, wires, cords and cables.  Please visit the Best Buy website for more information on their recycling program.
  • Staples Stores - You can recycle ink and toner cartridges and get $2 back in Staples Rewards.  They also take any Dell products for no charge, as well as PDA's, cell phones and digital cameras.
 
Can I recycle packing peanuts and bubble wrap?
  Not in your cart but packing peanuts and bubble wrap can be recycled at any of the following UPS stores:  373 South Willow Street and 497 Hooksett Road in Manchester, as well as the UPS store located at 7 Colby Court in Bedford.  No bubble bags will be accepted at this time.
 
I have lots of plastic bags.  How can I recycle them?
  You may take your plastic bags to your local grocery store.  Most grocery stores recycle these bags.
 
Why can't I put my plastic bags in my recycling cart?
  Single stream recycling is sent to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to be sorted.  Plastic bags get tangled around sorting equipment which requires halting production, locating the bag, and removing it by hand.
 
How do I get a replacement cart if mine is damaged or broken?
 
  • Residential Recycling Cart - Please call the Manchester Recycling Hotline at (603) 413-6799.
 
  • Downtown Recycling Cart- Bring the broken cart to the Drop Off Facility at 500 Dunbarton Road for repair or replacement. 
 
  • Garbage Cart - Bring the broken cart to the Drop Off Facility at 500 Dunbarton Road for repair or replacement. 
   
What do my recyclables get turned into?
 
  • Plastic - polyester suits, carpet fibers and backing, drainage pipes, park furniture and clothing
  • Glass - new glass containers, road bed aggregate and fiberglass components
  • Newspaper/Paper - more newsprint, paperboard, construction paper and animal bedding
  • Steel Cans - new cans, building materials and new food cans
  • Aluminum Cans - new cans, rain gutters and window frames
 
How do I know what day of the week my recycling will be picked up?
  Recycling is picked up the same day as your trash.  If you are not sure when that it, please click here for a map.
   
Do you have any drop off locations for recycling?
  The Drop Off Facility at 500 Dunbarton Road accepts all recyclable materials free of charge, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 3:00 PM and the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month from 7 AM until 11:30 AM.
   
Does my recycling cart have an RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip?  If so, why do we need RFID chips on our carts?
  Yes.  Your new blue recycling cart contains an RFID chip.  These chips help the City track and manage cart inventory, maintenance, repair and replacement.  They also help improve operational efficiency because now this information is collected and stored automatically instead of being maintained manually.  Lastly, it will help us focus our recycling education to increase participation.  The chip only tracks the cart serial identification number and cart location.  It cannot determine what is inside a cart, how much the cart weighs, the resident's name or any other type of information.
   
Is there a special way I have to put my cart out at the curb for collection?
  Yes.  When putting your cart out at the curb for collection, be sure the handle faces your house and the cart is at least three (3) feet away from all other objects such as trash cans, parked cars, mailboxes, trees, and telephone poles.

 

Related Links
Contact Information
Curbside Yard Waste & Recycling
Manchester Recycling Hotline
(603) 413-6799
General Program Questions & Information
Manchester Highway Department
(603) 624-6444

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City of Manchester, NH
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