Recycling Center Wachusett West Boylston: Hours, Map
Use this Wachusett recycling center guide before you load your car. It covers the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center in West Boylston, seasonal hours, map directions, member-town eligibility, proof-of-residency rules, accepted items, fees, ReUse drop-off limits, special collection days, and what not to bring.
Residents of Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston may use the center during public hours.
West Boylston, MA 01583 Phone (978) 464-2854 Email contact@wachusettearthday.org Directions Official directions → WEI
Fast Answer for Wachusett / West Boylston Residents
The Wachusett recycling center most residents search for is the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center, operated by Wachusett Earthday Inc. at 131 Raymond Huntington Highway, West Boylston, MA 01583. Public hours change by season, and every car must stop at check-in for residency verification and fee assessment.
During April through October, public hours are Tuesday 9:00 AM-11:00 AM, Thursday 4:00 PM-6:00 PM, and the first and third Saturdays 9:00 AM-Noon. During November through March, public hours are Tuesday 10:00 AM-Noon, Thursday 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, and the first and third Saturdays 9:00 AM-Noon.
On This Page
Wachusett Recycling Center West Boylston Overview
The Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center is a regional reuse and recycling center in West Boylston, Massachusetts. It is operated by Wachusett Earthday Inc., a volunteer nonprofit working with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and seven Wachusett watershed towns.
This is not a normal town dump. It handles many reuse, recycling and special collection streams, but some items have fees, some are free, some are accepted only on special event days, and some are not accepted at all. The safest approach is to match your item to the correct area before you leave home.
Quick Facts Before You Drive
Wachusett Recycling Center Hours 2026
The center uses seasonal public hours. Summer hours run from April through October, and winter hours run from November through March. Weather, staffing and special events can change access, so confirm on the official site, Facebook, or phone message before packing a large load.
| Season | Public Hours | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| April through October | Tuesday 9:00 AM-11:00 AM; Thursday 4:00 PM-6:00 PM; 1st and 3rd Saturday 9:00 AM-Noon. | Current summer schedule. Check alerts before visiting during storms or extreme heat. |
| November through March | Tuesday 10:00 AM-Noon; Thursday 2:00 PM-4:00 PM; 1st and 3rd Saturday 9:00 AM-Noon. | Winter schedule. Snow, ice, plowing or unsafe temperatures can affect opening. |
| Special Collection Days | Times vary by event. | Latex paint, Household Hazardous Products and shredding days have separate instructions. |
| Weather / Staffing | May change without much notice. | The center may close for unsafe weather, thunderstorms, snow accumulation or lack of enough volunteers. |
Who Can Use the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center?
The center is for residents of seven member towns: Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston. Bring a driver’s license, state ID, utility bill, or another official document showing your current address and matching your name.
Accepted Items at Wachusett Recycling Center
Wachusett accepts a broad range of reuse and recycling items, but the item rules are detailed. Some items are free, some have fees, and some are accepted only on special collection days. The official fee table should be checked for the latest price before you load.
| Category | Accepted Examples | Resident Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard and containers | Corrugated cardboard, mixed containers, plastics, metal and glass containers. | Cardboard must be flattened and empty; mixed containers may have a small fee. |
| Electronics | Small electronics, computers, tablets, monitors, printers, cables, wires and TVs. | Fees vary by item; wipe data from devices before drop-off. |
| Appliances | Countertop appliances, vacuums, large appliances and refrigerant appliances. | Refrigerator/freezer and AC/dehumidifier-type items usually cost more. |
| Reuse items | Clean household goods, crafts, school supplies, books, toys, fabric, sporting goods, dishes and hardware. | Items must be clean, complete, odor-free and usable. |
| Textiles | Clean dry clothing, belts, shoes, purses, linens, blankets, curtains and towels. | Place textiles in tied plastic bags in the textile bins. |
| Scrap metal | Scrap metal and other metal items. | Often listed as free, but check current rules for mixed or unusual items. |
| Bikes and bottles | Bicycles and deposit/returnable bottles and cans. | Deposit bottles and cans are directed to the Scout Shed. |
| Special collections | Latex paint, Household Hazardous Products and confidential shredding. | These are not normal anytime drop-offs. Use the specific event dates and rules. |
Drop-Off Fees and Payment
Some drop-off items have fees. The official fee page lists many examples including small appliances, large appliances, electronics, televisions, tires, mattresses, rugs, furniture, cardboard, mixed containers, propane tanks and other bulky or special materials. Fees can be adjusted by volunteers based on size, volume or condition.
| Item Type | Fee Pattern | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard | Fee may depend on minimum, car load or truck load. | Flatten and empty cardboard before arriving. |
| Electronics | Small items, office electronics, monitors and TVs have different fees. | Check TV and monitor fees before loading. |
| Appliances | Countertop, floor, large and refrigerant appliances have different fees. | Refrigerant items usually cost more. |
| Furniture / mattresses | Fees vary by size and type. | Confirm before bringing sofas, sleepers, mattresses or large furniture. |
| Reuse items | Many clean reusable items may be free. | Items must meet ReUse quality and box rules. |
2026 Special Collection Days: HHP, Latex Paint and Document Shredding
Special collection days are not the same as normal public hours. Some special days allow the full site to operate, while Household Hazardous Products-only days can close the rest of the recycling center and ReUse/Resource Building for safety.
| 2026 Event | Dates / Hours | Important Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Household Hazardous Products Only | Saturday May 9 and Saturday October 24, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. | Extra Saturdays for HHP only; the rest of the site is not open for drop-off or shopping. |
| Latex Paint Collection | First Saturdays: May 2, June 6, August 1 and October 3, 9:00 AM-Noon. | Check pricing and instructions before loading paint. |
| Confidential Document Shredding | June 20, August 15 and October 17, 9:00 AM-Noon. | Bring confidential documents only; the first two boxes are listed free, additional boxes may cost extra. |
ReUse Building Drop-Off Rules
The ReUse Building is one reason locals like this center, but it is not a place to unload unlimited household clutter. Wachusett Earthday posted a ReUse drop-off rule: you can drop off two boxes, but they must close and be 30 pounds or less. Items that do not meet the rule may be rejected.
Items Not Accepted at Wachusett Recycling Center
Wachusett clearly says it cannot accept some materials. Do not bring household garbage, food waste, yard waste, creosoted wood, sheet plastic, plastic shopping bags, broken fluorescent bulbs or tubes, audio/VCR tapes, smoke detectors or dead incandescent bulbs for recycling drop-off.
How to Prepare Before Visiting Wachusett Recycling Center
- Confirm you are eligible. Residents of Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston may use the center during public hours.
- Check the season and day. April-October and November-March hours are different. First and third Saturdays matter.
- Bring proof of residency. Have a driver’s license, state ID, utility bill or another official document ready at check-in.
- Bring payment. Some items have fees. Cash, check, credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay are listed payment options.
- Pack by site order. Put North 40 items such as tires, bikes, propane tanks, electronics, metal, appliances and mattresses where they can be unloaded first.
- Keep ReUse items boxed properly. ReUse boxes should close, be manageable, stay within the listed box limit, and contain clean usable items.
- Ask before unloading. If you are unsure where something goes, ask a volunteer instead of guessing.
Official Wachusett Recycling Links
Wachusett Recycling Center Map and Directions
The map below points to Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center at 131 Raymond Huntington Highway, West Boylston, MA 01583. Use the map for driving directions, but use the official Wachusett Earthday site for final hours, fees, special collection rules and weather/staffing alerts.
Map note: Recycling-Centre.org is an independent guide, not the official Wachusett Earthday website. Hours, pricing, special events, weather closures, accepted items, volunteer staffing and eligibility rules can change. Always verify with the official website before driving with a large, paid, hazardous, reusable or questionable load.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wachusett Recycling Center West Boylston
Where is the Wachusett recycling center in West Boylston?
The Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center is at 131 Raymond Huntington Highway, West Boylston, MA 01583.
What are Wachusett recycling center summer hours?
April through October hours are Tuesday 9:00 AM-11:00 AM, Thursday 4:00 PM-6:00 PM, and the first and third Saturdays 9:00 AM-Noon.
What are Wachusett recycling center winter hours?
November through March hours are Tuesday 10:00 AM-Noon, Thursday 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, and the first and third Saturdays 9:00 AM-Noon.
Who can use the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center?
Residents of Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston may use the center during public hours.
Do I need proof of residency?
Yes. Bring ID or another official document with your current address. The center verifies residency at check-in and tracks participation by town.
Are there fees at Wachusett recycling center?
Yes, some items have fees. The official fee page lists prices for electronics, appliances, furniture, mattresses, cardboard, tires, propane tanks and other items. Fees can vary by item and volume.
What payment methods are accepted?
The center lists cash, check, credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay as payment options at check-in.
Does Wachusett accept household hazardous products?
Household Hazardous Products are accepted only on specific HHP collection days. In 2026, listed HHP-only dates are May 9 and October 24 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Does Wachusett accept latex paint?
Latex paint is handled on listed Latex Paint Collection days. In 2026, first Saturday dates are May 2, June 6, August 1 and October 3 from 9:00 AM to Noon.
Does Wachusett offer document shredding?
Yes. 2026 confidential document shredding dates are listed as June 20, August 15 and October 17 from 9:00 AM to Noon. Bring confidential documents only.
What is not accepted at Wachusett recycling center?
Not-accepted examples include household garbage, food waste, yard waste, creosoted wood, plastic shopping bags, broken fluorescent bulbs or tubes, audio/VCR tapes, smoke detectors and incandescent bulbs.
What phone number should I call?
Call 978-464-2854. The official site asks callers to leave a message and says they will return your call.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Wachusett Earthday website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify current hours, fees, accepted items and event details on Wachusett Earthday’s official website before visiting.
Final Local Summary
The Wachusett recycling center in West Boylston is the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center at 131 Raymond Huntington Highway, West Boylston, MA 01583. It serves residents of Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston. Bring proof of residency and payment if fees may apply.
Summer public hours are Tuesday 9-11 AM, Thursday 4-6 PM and first/third Saturday 9 AM-Noon. Winter public hours are Tuesday 10 AM-Noon, Thursday 2-4 PM and first/third Saturday 9 AM-Noon. Special collection days for HHP, latex paint and document shredding have separate rules, so check the official event listing before loading.