Recycling Everyday Items

First, make full use of the municipal curbside recycling program.

Next, get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Clothing and textiles? Bring them to the Ecosmith box at any of Ipswich's schools or to the box at the transfer station. Additional items are listed below and in the DONATION GUIDE.

Other useful items not listed? Offer them on Freecycle.org or Craigslist.

Plastic Bags & Film

Plastic bags and film (case wrap, paper towel wrap, etc.) can be recycled! Many grocery and retail stores (Shaw's, Market Basket, Target, Kohl's, Staples, Lowe's) have recycling bins for plastic grocery bags (labeled #2 or #4) and plastic film. Recycle them during your weekly shopping trip, or consider reusing them for some other household purpose. Avoid using them completely by investing in reusable bags, which are available at most grocery and retail stores or online.
 

Computers & Electronics 

At special collection events in May and September, Ipswich organizations offer electronics recycling for a small fee. For curbside pickup, call JRM at 978-536-2500 to schedule and prepay a pickup ($25). Goodwill accepts some electronics (no TVs) at their donation sites. Staples and Best Buy will recycle electronics for free and monitors and computers for a fee even if they were not purchased there. Call before you go.

Ink Cartridges

The Winthrop and Doyon elementary schools and Ipswich High School have collection bins for recycling used printer cartridges. The Council on Aging at Town Hall also collects them. Cartridges can be dropped off at Staples and Best Buy as well.

Batteries

Rechargeable, car and button batteries can be recycled at the Transfer Station. Tedford's Hardware, Best Buy and Staples will also take rechargeable batteries for recycling. Button-cell batteries (watches, hearing aids, remote car starters, etc.) contain mercury and are collected at Town Hall at the Treasurer's office, the Department of Public Works office and the Council on Aging. The Massachusetts DEP advises that single-use batteries can be put in your trash, because they no longer contain mercury.

Clothing and Other Textiles

Bring your textiles to the American Red Cross donation bin at the Transfer Station or the Ecosmith bin at any of the Ipswich schools. A portion of the proceeds from this bin benefits the environmental clubs and other student initiatives. All textiles (including stained or ripped) must be clean and dry. If you need a pickup, many organizations will pick up your clothing items (see household items, below).

Wire Hangers

Wire hangers in good condition can be returned to the dry cleaner for reuse.

Sporting Goods

If you have baseball mitts and bats, volleyballs, basketballs, ski equipment, snowboards, weights, etc., consider donating them. Vietnam Vets of America accepts these items. Passback, a donation program of the US Soccer Federation, accepts soccer cleats, balls, shin guards, pads, nets, shirts or shorts, etc.

Sneakers/Athletic Shoes

Items that can still be worn may be put in the collection bin at any Ipswich school. But worn-out athletic shoes can be recycled! Nike collects all brands of worn-out athletic footwear (no cleats or dress shoes) in their Reuse-A-Shoe Program at Nike and Converse locations. (Nike stores with collection bins are located in Somerville, MA; Kittery, ME; and Merrimack and Tilton, NH. Converse stores are in Somerville at Assembly Row and in Merrimack, NH.) Donated shoes are ground up and used in making new clothing, athletic shoes, and surfaces for football fields, weight rooms, basketball courts and playgrounds.

From the Entertainment Center

Toys & Kids' Items

Again, reuse is your best bet for getting rid of unwanted or outgrown toys and children’s accessories. Share outgrown toys with family members, neighbors, etc. These items (clean and dry) can be dropped off at the Transfer Station in the American Red Cross bin.

Books

Book donations can be placed in the More Than Words bin at the Transfer Station. The Ipswich Public Library will accept small collections of good books that can be resold.

CDs, DVDs and Video Games

Unwanted but still good CDs, video games and DVDs can be donated in the More Than Words collection box at the Transfer Station.

Records

Vinyl records can be donated to Savers (139 Endicott Street) or Goodwill (301 Newbury Street) in Danvers.

Miscellaneous

Metals

Any item at least 60% metal can be brought to the Transfer Station. You will need a beach sticker or Transfer Station permit (available free at the Department of Public Works -- bring your Ipswich car registration).

Household Items

Many organizations, such as Big Brother Big Sister, the Epilepsy Foundation, Vietnam Veterans of America, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul will pick up reusable household items (small appliances, decorations, linens, etc.) from your home on a schedule or by appointment.

Working Appliances

Goodwill accepts working appliances.

Eyeglasses

The Ipswich Lions Club collects eyeglasses at the Council on Aging (Town Hall) and in their mailbox in the parking lot of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church at One Pineswamp Road. The mailbox for eyeglasses is clearly marked and located in the back right corner of the lot, next to the clothing bins.

Cars & Trucks