Acceptable & Unacceptable Items

iThe following items are considered "Special Waste" and may be brought to the recycling center located at the highway garage on West Bacon Street. Some items require a fee. All fees are payable in orange "Special Waste" stickers.

  • Appliances (non-freon-bearing)
  • Appliances (freon-bearing)
  • Batteries
  • Books
  • Cardboard
  • Cell Phones
  • Clothing and Textiles
  • Computer Monitors and TVs
  • Computer and Video Games
  • DVDs, CDs, VHS
  • Electronics
  • Fluorescent Bulbs
  • Mercury Bearing Products
  • Metal Items and Metal Appliances
  • Microwaves
  • Paper
  • Propane Tanks
  • Printer Ink Cartridges
  • Shredded paper
  • Styrofoam
  • Tires
  • TVs and Monitors
  • Yard Waste

If an item you wish to dispose of does not appear in the following list, please refer to "Unacceptable Items" for additional options:

  • Appliances (non-freon-bearing) - $5 each
    • Stoves, Dishwashers, Hotwater Heaters, Water Tanks
    • Washers and Dryers
  • Appliances (freon-bearing) - $25 each
    • Refrigerators and Freezers
    • Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers
  • Batteries - No charge
    • Household A's, C's, D's, 9-volt, etc
    • Button, watch and hearing aid, etc.
    • Rechargeable, including Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium, etc. found in cordless power tools, cordless phones, laptop computers
    • Auto, Boat, motorcycle, etc
    • See detailed information on proper packaging guidelines
  • Books - No charge (please make sure to place books in the appropriate container marked Books Only)
    • Hard and soft cover - Any condition, any topic, old or new, don't throw them out
    • Text Books, Encyclopedias
    • Audio Books
  • Cardboard - No charge (please make sure to place cardboard in the appropriate container marked Cardboard Only)
    • Cardboard must be flattened
    • No wax covered cardboard
  • Cell Phones - No charge
    • All kinds, batteries and chargers included
  • Clothing and Textiles - No charge
  • Computer Monitors - (includes, Laptops, Plasma, LED and LCD) - $25 each
  • Computer and Video Games - No Charge
    • Place these in the "Books Only" containers
  • DVDs, CDs and VHS - No charge
    • Place these in the "Books Only" containers
  • Electronics - $2.50 each
    • Computers - without screen (includes keyboard, mouse, speakers)
    • Stereos and Speakers
    • Printers, copiers, fax machines
    • VCRs and DVDs
    • Other electronics
  • Fluorescent Bulbs - no charge
  • Mercury-bearing items (thermostats, thermometers, etc.) - No charge
  • Metal Items (large) - $5 each (examples include but not limited to)
    • Appliances (non-freon-bearing) washer, dryer, dishwasher
    • Lawnmowers, Snowblowers (gas and oil must be removed)
    • Metal Grills (propane tanks additional)
    • Swing Sets, File Cabinets, Metal Doors, Pipes, Metal Furniture, Shelving, Basketball polls, etc.
    • Metal Exercise Equipment
    • Or like-sized items
  • Metal Items (small) - $2.50 each (examples include but not limited to:)
    • Smaller items or a group of items that when combined make up less than 2 cubic feet
      • Teapots, hangers, fans, toasters, etc.
      • Bikes, wagons
  • Microwaves - $5 each
  • Propane Tanks - $5 each
  • Printer Ink Cartridges - No charge
  • Shredded Paper - No charge - shredded paper must be bagged
  • Styrofoam - No charge - packing peanuts and Styrofoam smaller than 6" must be bagged
  • Tires - $5 each
    • Car passenger only
    • Rims OK
    • No Large truck or trailer tires
  • TVs and Computer Screens - $25 each
    • Computer Screens - tower, keyboard, speakers, mouse included in the fee for the screen
  • Yard Waste
    • The Plainville Municipal Collection Program does not pick up yard waste except for Christmas trees which are picked up curbside the first couple of weeks in January. Residents must deliver their materials to the compost drop off area or compost at their homes. Compost Bins are available for purchase at the Town Hall. The cost is $25. Learn more about backyard composting.
    • The compost drop-off area is located at the Highway Garage on West Bacon Street.
    • Yard waste is allowed from Plainville residential properties only. No commercial vehicles or landscapers are allowed.
    • Acceptable materials include:
      • Leaves, grass and other rakeable yard waste.
      • Brush and branches less than 3 inches wide.
      • Christmas trees - remove decorations, tinsel, garland and plastic bags.
    • Unacceptable materials include:
      • Stumps
      • Trees
      • Branches larger than 3 inches wide
      • Lumber
      • Railroad and landscaping ties
    • Material may be brought in bulk (pickup trucks or trailers), trash cans, paper or plastic bags. All material must be removed from paper or plastic bags. (Please reuse your bags or place them in the trash cans that are provided.)

Unacceptable Items

The following items are not accepted by the Municipal Trash Collection Program or at the Recycling Center. Some items marked with HHW are collected once a year at the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day held at the recycling center.

See options available to manage these and other items.

  • Aerosol Products - HHW
  • Ammunition
  • Antifreeze - HHW
  • Arts and Crafts Supplies -HHW
  • Asbestos
  • Driveway Sealer -HHW
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Flares
  • Gasoline - HHW
  • Hazardous Household Product - HHW
  • Home Medical Waste
  • Motor Oil and Oil Filters
  • Muriatic (Hydrochloric) Acid - HHW
  • Paints and Stains - HHW
  • Pesticides - HHW
  • Photo Chemicals - HHW
  • Pool Chemicals - HHW
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Thinners and Solvents - HHW
  • Wood, Treated
  • Wood with Lead Paint