Upcoming Recycling Events

Watertown Recycling EventsThe Recycling Department has multiple recycling/ waste reduction events planned for the spring. Details, locations, and times may change. Please keep updated by visiting this page. For any additional questions, please email: recycle@watertown-ma.gov
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 5PM-7:30PM
Clothing swap and textile turn in. Bring your own clothes to swap and come to find a new spring look!
Hosmer Elementary School. 
Date Subject to change 
Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10AM-2PM
Finished Compost/ soil give away and baby oak tree giveaway
124 Orchard St. DPW office.  
Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10AM-2PM
Recycling Event: Paper shredding, $20 mattress recycling, free dehumidifier turn-in, Styrofoam collection, clothing drive.
Boston’s Jewish Community Day School Parking lot. 
Details for each event below: 
Clothing swap and textile turn inTuesday, April 9, 2024 from 5PM-7:30PM
Hosmer Elementary School Cafeteria
Date may change
Come join us for our bi-annual children's AND ADULT clothing swap at the Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown! You do not have to bring any clothes to participate.

Sizes Newborn to 12, Maternity also accepted. No toys and baby gear, but accessories like shoes and paired socks are accepted.

Please bring spring / summer items only. No winter clothes until fall swap. Bring your own (BYO) bags. All clothes should be washed before donating.

Donation drop off starts 1 hour before event or drop off early at DPW.
If you help sort / fold clothes from 4PM, you get to pick the clothes first.
Enter through the cafeteria door, rather than from the main entrance of the elementary school.

This event is hosted with the generous support of DPW, and all remainders will be taken by Helpsy for recycling. You can drop off your clothing early at DPW at 124 Orchard Street starting from April 2, 2024 during the operating hours of 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Black Earth Soil Give Away & Baby Oak tree give awaySaturday, April 27, 2024 from 10AM-2PM
Event will be held at 124 Orchard St. The DPW office parking lot. Please bring a Watertown ID or proof of residency.
Watertown is offering free finished compost to residents. Black Earth’s finished compost was created using food scraps from Watertown residents. We are closing the circle and providing soil back to residents to use in backyards and gardens. This is open to all residents, even if they are not enrolled in the food scrap collection program. Please bring your own buckets and shovel to take soil away in. Initial limit of 10 gallons (2 five-gallon buckets per person). Available while supplies last at the event. Come early if you are very interested in getting soil!
The forestry department will be giving away baby oak trees for residents to plant on their own property. These will be the responsibility of the resident to water and care for. The City will not be providing any additional support for tree care, and the tree must be planted on non-city property. Trees are available while supplies last. One tree per household.
General recycling eventMay 18, 2024 10:00AM-2:00PM
Event will be held at 57 Stanley St. in the parking lot of Boston’s Jewish Community Day School. Please bring a Watertown ID or proof of residency. 
Mattress Recycling 
HandUp, a mattress recycler, will be offering a discount on mattress and box spring recycling. Each unit will be $20. This is a first come, first serve option, until the truck is full. Residents may pay with cash or card at the event. Residents must bring units to the event. Limit of four units per household.
Learn more.
Textiles
Watertown is partnering with Helpsy to recycle and repurpose old textiles and clothes. Clean out your closet before the spring and donate clothing and textiles. Helpsy also offers free curbside collection.
Learn more.
Paper Shredding 
Watertown is partnering with Shred-it, to securely shred confidential papers. All shredded paper will be recycled with Stericycle. Please only bring documents that are confidential—other paper materials should be placed in your curbside recycle bin. If materials are already pre-shredded, please place in a paper bag.
Shred-it can accept papers with staples in them.
Materials should be placed in paper bags or brought in boxes. The boxes will be returned.
Materials will be shredded on site.
Styrofoam Recycling 
Watertown is partnering with Save That Stuff to recycle Styrofoam. Please collect and save any Styrofoam you have for this event. Styrofoam CANNOT go into curbside recycling totes.
They only accept rigid white Styrofoam
If it SNAPS when you break it, it is the correct type
NO packing peanuts or take out containers
Dehumidifiers
Watertown is partnering with Mass Save to recycle old and energy inefficient dehumidifiers.
Residents can bring dehumidifiers for FREE drop off and will receive a $30 rebate in the mail.
Learn more.
For any additional questions, please email: recycle@watertown-ma.gov