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Recycling Beyond the Ipswich Program
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.
Appliances
Working appliances can be brought to Goodwill. Appliances that have outlived their usefulness can be brought to the transfer station for recycling.
Batteries
Rechargeable, car and household 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.) may contain mercury and are collected at Town Hall at the Treasurer's office, the Department of Public Works office and the Council on Aging.
Books
Book donations can be placed in the More Than Words bin at the Transfer Station. The Ipswich Public Library will accept small donations of newer books that can be resold.
Cars & Trucks
Several charities in Massachusetts will recycle your car and/or other vehicles, and guidelines for donating are offered by the Attorney General's office. Here are some charities that accept vehicle donations: American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Goodwill, Make-a-Wish, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, Vehicles for Veterans MA. You can also check with your favorite charity to see if they have a program.
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.
Cellphones and MP3 Players
Bring these to the Public Works office for recycling. Phones are sent to Cellphones for Soldiers and MP3 players in working order are sent to nonprofit organizations in need of devices for music.
Christmas Trees
Live trees (decorations removed) should be brought to the transfer station (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 AM to 3:30 PM). Artificial trees are considered a bulky item and require a sticker.
Clothing and Other Textiles
Bring your textiles to an Ecosmith bin at any of the Ipswich schools or to the American Red Cross box at the transfer station. A portion of the proceeds from the Ecosmith bins benefits the environmental clubs and other student initiatives. All textiles (including stained or ripped) must be clean and dry.
Computers & Electronics
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. Costco also collects eyeglasses.
Flags
Market Basket has an American flag receptacle at the entrance. American Legion Posts and VFW Posts also accept flags for proper disposal.
Holiday Lights
Household Items
Many organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, 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.
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.
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).
Records
Vinyl records can be donated to Savers (139 Endicott Street) or Goodwill (301 Newbury Street) in Danvers.
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.
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.
Toys & Kids' Items
Again, reuse is your best bet for getting rid of unwanted or outgrown toys and children’s accessories. These items (clean and dry) can be dropped off at the Transfer Station in the American Red Cross bin or by calling for pickup.
Wire Hangers
Wire hangers in good condition can be returned to the dry cleaner for reuse. Hangers are also accepted in the metal dumpster at the transfer station.