Natick Recycling Center: Today’s Hours, Fees & Directions

Natick Recycling Center Overview

The Natick Recycling Center is the town drop-off location for residents who need more than regular curbside recycling. It accepts single-stream recycling items, plus several special drop-off categories that should not go in regular trash or curbside recycling without checking the rules.

Natick’s curbside program uses town-provided recycling totes, while trash must be placed in approved blue Town of Natick Pay-As-You-Throw bags. The Recycling Center is a separate drop-off option, so use it when the item is specifically accepted there or when town guidance says drop-off is appropriate.

The most common mistake is bringing an item that sounds recyclable but is not accepted at the Recycling Center. For example, Natick says CRTs from televisions and computer monitors are prohibited from solid waste disposal, but computers and televisions are collected as bulky waste for a fee and are not accepted at the Recycling Center.

Quick Facts Before You Drive

Natick Recycling Center Hours Today and Weekly Schedule

The town’s listed Recycling Center hours are Thursday and Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, plus Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. It is listed closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These are Recycling Center hours, not general DPW office hours.

Accepted Items at Natick Recycling Center

Natick says residents may drop off recyclables at the Recycling Center, and the center also accepts single-stream recycling items. The official list includes motor oil, yard waste, paint, automotive/rechargeable/button batteries, fluorescent and compact bulbs, thermometers, thermostats, books, used clothing, paired shoes, cardboard, paper, rigid plastics and many metal items.

Rigid Plastics Accepted at Natick Recycling Center

Natick lists acceptable rigid plastics as hard plastic items including #5 PP, #2 HDPE and #4 LDPE. Examples include plastic toys and playhouses, pet carriers, plastic lawn furniture, landscape trays, plastic trash cans, garbage cans, toters, plastic shelving, closet organizers, plastic coolers, plastic milk or soda crates and plastic pallets.

Cardboard, Paper and Books

Cardboard boxes should be broken down and placed in the appropriate bin. Paper belongs in the appropriate bin, and used books go to the used book shed. Do not mix wet, greasy or food-covered materials into paper and cardboard recycling.

Natick Recycling Center Fees and Paid Disposal Notes

Natick’s Recycling Center page does not present the accepted drop-off list as a single paid gate-fee system, but several related disposal items have specific fee rules. The biggest fee trap is TVs, CRTs and computers: Natick says computers and televisions are collected as bulky waste for a fee of $35 each, and these items are not accepted at the Recycling Center.

For bulky pickup, Natick says residents may schedule pickup for a maximum of 5 items for $50. That is separate from the Recycling Center drop-off list. If an item is too large for regular trash, do not assume the Recycling Center will take it; check bulky pickup first.

For large quantities of paint, stains or thinners, Natick points residents to Clean Harbors in Braintree and notes a cost of $2.50 per pound. This is not the same as the Natick paint shed, which only accepts latex and oil-based paint within the local limit.

Paint Shed Rules: Latex and Oil-Based Paint

The Natick paint shed accepts latex and oil-based paints only. The limit is up to 5 gallons per resident per visit during regular Recycling Center hours. Residents must see the attendant for assistance, and the paint shed is listed as open April through October.

Stains and thinners are not accepted at the Recycling Center paint shed. Natick says stains and thinners are accepted at the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day and are not allowed in trash. If you have a mixed load of paint, stain, thinner or unknown liquid, call before loading your car.

Motor Oil, Car Batteries and Automotive Waste

Waste motor oil may be brought to the Recycling Center, but Natick limits residents to up to five gallons per day. Businesses are not allowed to bring oil to the Recycling Center. To reduce spills and contamination, residents must bring waste oil to the attendant and are not allowed to pour oil into storage containers themselves.

Car batteries may be brought to the Recycling Center. Natick also lists automotive, rechargeable and button batteries among accepted items, but battery types can be confusing. Keep batteries separate from normal recyclables and ask the attendant if you are unsure.

TVs, CRTs, Computers and Electronics

Natick explains that CRTs from televisions and computer monitors are prohibited from Massachusetts solid waste disposal facilities. The town will collect and recycle computers and televisions as bulky waste for a fee of $35 each, but these items are not accepted at the Recycling Center.

Before any computer, laptop, tablet, phone or storage device is recycled, remove personal data. Back up files, sign out of accounts, remove memory cards and factory-reset devices when possible. A recycling or pickup program handles the material, not your personal privacy cleanup.

Items Not Accepted or Verify First

Natick’s official Recycling Center page clearly says tires are not accepted. It also says stains and thinners are not accepted at the paint shed, and computers/televisions are not accepted at the Recycling Center. These items need another route.

Curbside Recycling vs Natick Recycling Center Drop-Off

Natick’s curbside recycling uses town-provided recycling totes, and trash must be placed in approved blue Town of Natick Pay-As-You-Throw bags. Both trash bags and recycling totes must be at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.

Use curbside for normal scheduled trash and recycling. Use the Recycling Center when you have accepted drop-off items such as paint, motor oil, yard waste, batteries, bulbs, rigid plastics, books, textiles, shoes, cardboard, paper or accepted metal items.

How to Prepare Your Load Before Visiting

1. Check the day first. Natick Recycling Center is listed open Thursday-Friday 8 AM-12 PM and Saturday-Sunday 8 AM-3:30 PM; it is closed Monday-Wednesday.
2. Separate materials at home. Keep cardboard, paper, paint, oil, batteries, bulbs, books, clothing, shoes, metal, yard waste and rigid plastics in separate boxes or areas.
3. Break down cardboard. Flatten boxes and place them in the appropriate bin.
4. Use the attendant for paint and oil. Paint and waste oil have special rules. Do not pour oil into storage containers yourself.
5. Do not bring TVs or computers to the center. Use bulky pickup rules because Natick says these items are not accepted at the Recycling Center.
6. Keep hazardous items safe. Do not mix liquids, keep containers upright, tighten lids and label anything questionable.
7. Call if unsure. Use 508-647-6562 before loading a questionable, large, paid or hazardous item.

Official Natick Recycling Links

Natick Recycling Center Map and Directions

The map below points to the Natick Recycling Center area at West Street and Route 27, Natick, MA 01760. The town describes the route from downtown Natick as Route 27 south for about 1.5 miles, then right on West Street, with the Recycling Center on the left.

Frequently Asked Questions About Natick Recycling Center