Portsmouth Recycling Center: Today’s Hours, Fees & Directions
Use this Portsmouth NH recycling center guide before you load your car. It explains today’s listed hours, extended summer Tuesday hours, resident sticker rules, online payments, bulky item fees, free specialty drop-off items, household hazardous waste day, yard and food-waste notes, phone numbers, and map directions in clear local language.
Portsmouth’s Recycling Center is listed for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday service, with special extended Tuesday hours during the July-October period.
Portsmouth, NH 03801 Recycling Center phone (603) 427-1530 Payment rule Credit card or check · no cash Sticker Free resident vehicle sticker DPW
Fast Answer for Portsmouth Residents
The Portsmouth NH Recycling Center is behind the Public Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801. Regular hours are listed as Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:45 AM to 3:15 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Extended hours are listed for Tuesdays from 7:45 AM to 6:15 PM during the July 1 to October 9 period.
The center is for Portsmouth residents and handles several drop-off categories: paid bulky items, paid specialty disposal items, recycling bins, and free specialty items such as antifreeze, batteries, clothing, cooking oil, eyeglasses, fluorescent bulbs, food waste, oil and oil filters, and empty 1 lb propane cylinders.
On This Page
- Portsmouth Recycling Center overview
- Quick facts before you drive
- Today’s hours and extended hours
- Directions and map
- Resident vehicle sticker
- Payment methods and fees
- Bulky waste disposal fees
- Free specialty drop-off items
- Household hazardous waste day
- Curbside recycling and collection
- Call-first items
- Preparation checklist
- Official links
- FAQ
Portsmouth NH Recycling Center Overview
The Portsmouth Recycling Center is a resident drop-off facility connected to the Department of Public Works. It is useful when an item does not belong in normal curbside recycling, when you need to pay for a bulky item, when you need a recycling bin, or when you have accepted free specialty items such as cooking oil, fluorescent bulbs, batteries or food waste.
This center is not a 24-hour dump and not a place to leave items after hours. It has specific operating days, payment rules, fees and resident-access requirements. The city also warns that Public Works may discontinue service for violations of City Solid Waste Ordinances.
For household hazardous chemicals, do not guess. Portsmouth’s Household Hazardous Waste Day is held twice a year, spring and fall, at the Recycling Center location. The next listed date is Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
Quick Facts Before You Drive
| User Question | Best Answer | Best Link |
|---|---|---|
| Where is Portsmouth NH Recycling Center? | Behind the Public Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801. | Open map |
| Is it open today? | Check the day first: regular listed days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. | Today’s hours |
| Can I pay cash? | No. The city lists credit card and check payment methods, with no cash accepted. | Payment rules |
| How much is bulky waste? | Many bulky items are listed at $5, electronics $10, refrigerators/Freon items $20, and clean wood $15 or $25 by load size. | Bulky fee table |
| Do I need a sticker? | Portsmouth residents may obtain a free annual vehicle sticker for easier Recycling Center access. | Sticker details |
| Where do chemicals go? | Use Household Hazardous Waste Day for accepted household chemicals; proof of residency is required. | HHW Day |
Portsmouth Recycling Center Today’s Hours
The official regular Recycling Center schedule is limited to four days per week. Monday and Friday are not listed as regular public Recycling Center days. Sunday is not listed either. For senior residents or anyone making a special trip, the safest move is to call 603-427-1530 before loading paid or unusual items.
| Day | Regular Listed Hours | Extended Summer Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed / not listed | Not listed for extended hours. |
| Tuesday | 7:45 AM-3:15 PM | July 1-Oct. 9: Tuesday listed 7:45 AM-6:15 PM. |
| Wednesday | 7:45 AM-3:15 PM | No extended evening listed. |
| Thursday | 7:45 AM-3:15 PM | No extended evening listed. |
| Friday | Closed / not listed | Not listed for extended hours. |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM-2:00 PM | No extended evening listed. |
| Sunday | Closed / not listed | Not listed for extended hours. |
Portsmouth Recycling Center Directions
The Recycling Center is located behind the Department of Public Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road. Use the map link before you leave, then follow posted DPW site signs and attendant instructions once you arrive. Do not block gates, service roads or DPW operations.
Map note: Recycling-Centre.org is an independent guide, not the official City of Portsmouth website. Hours, fees, payment options, accepted items, snow delays and holiday rules can change. Always verify through the official city page before driving with a large, paid, hazardous or questionable load.
Portsmouth Recycling Center Vehicle Sticker
Portsmouth residents may obtain a free vehicle sticker for easier access to the Recycling Center. The city says residents may apply at the Recycling Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:45 AM to 3:15 PM by filling out an application and providing vehicle registration as proof of residency.
Stickers are issued annually and placed on the driver’s side windshield. Resident stickers are also available through the Department of Public Works. The sticker itself is listed as free of charge.
Portsmouth Recycling Center Payment Methods and Fees
The Recycling Center payment rules are simple but important: the city lists credit card and check as payment methods, with no cash accepted. A credit card minimum processing fee applies. For paid drop-off items, residents can pay at the facility or pay online before drop-off and show the receipt.
| Fee / Payment Item | Listed Amount | Resident Note |
|---|---|---|
| Curbside bulky pickup fee | $10.00 per scheduled pickup | Schedule and pay online; private hauler addresses may not qualify. |
| Credit card processing fee | Minimum $2.50 processing fee | Applies to credit card payments. |
| Check payment | No processing fee listed | No cash accepted. |
| New recycling bin | $15.00 | For a new bin purchase. |
| Broken bin replacement | Free with damaged-bin exchange | Once per household when exchanging the damaged bin. |
| Resident vehicle sticker | Free | Annual sticker with proof of residency through vehicle registration. |
Bulky Waste Disposal Fees
Several bulky and specialty items have fixed listed fees. Pay before or at the facility as allowed, keep your receipt, and show the receipt at drop-off. Do not bring paid items expecting cash payment, because the city lists no cash accepted.
| Item | Listed Fee | Plain-English Note |
|---|---|---|
| Box spring | $5.00 | Paid bulky item. |
| Mattress | $5.00 | Paid bulky item. |
| Clothes dryer / washer | $5.00 | Paid appliance item. |
| Dishwasher | $5.00 | Paid appliance item. |
| Propane tank, 20 lb. or larger | $5.00 | Large propane tank fee; empty 1 lb cylinders are listed under free specialty items. |
| Tire | $5.00 | Paid disposal item. |
| Upholstered furniture | $5.00 | Examples may include sofas, chairs or padded furniture. |
| Wood furniture | $5.00 | Paid bulky item. |
| Gas grill | $5.00 | Paid bulky item; remove propane tank and follow tank rules. |
| Cooking range | $10.00 | Paid appliance item. |
| Electronics | $10.00 | Call first for unusual or large electronics. |
| Refrigerator | $20.00 | Freon/CFC handling may be involved. |
| Items containing Freon | $20.00 | CFC removal fee listed. |
| Clean wood, 2 cubic yards | $15.00 | Keep clean wood separate from trash. |
| Clean wood, 4 cubic yards | $25.00 | Large clean wood load fee. |
Free Specialty Drop-Off Items for Portsmouth Residents
The city lists several specialty items that Portsmouth residents can bring to the Recycling Center at no cost. These are not all the same as normal curbside recycling, so keep them separated and ask the attendant where each item should go.
Household Hazardous Waste Day in Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s Household Hazardous Waste Day is held twice a year, in spring and fall, at the Portsmouth Recycling Center / DPW location at 680 Peverly Hill Road. The next listed date is Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
The event is for residents of Portsmouth, New Castle, Greenland and Newington, with proof of residency required on arrival. Commercial and industrial users are not included. The largest acceptable household-waste container size is listed as 5 gallons, and drum containers are not allowed.
No latex paint is accepted at the HHW collection event. The city says latex paint may be solidified with kitty litter, sawdust, speedy dry, or by opening the can and allowing the paint to dry completely before disposal at the Recycling Center.
Curbside Recycling and Collection in Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s solid-waste program includes weekly residential curbside collection of trash and recyclables, downtown commercial collection for eligible businesses, and Recycling Center drop-off for Portsmouth residents. Normal weekly recycling should usually go through curbside collection rather than a special Recycling Center trip.
The city specifically warns residents not to put plastic bags in curbside recycling. Plastic bags should go to participating grocery or retail stores. Food-soiled paper should not go in regular recycling; Portsmouth points residents toward composting options.
Items to Call About Before You Bring Them
Some items look simple but need a call first because fees, events, special handling or safety rules may apply. This is especially true for electronics, Freon appliances, chemicals, paint, large clean-wood loads, propane tanks, unusual batteries, and items from addresses served by private trash haulers.
How to Prepare Before Visiting
- Check the day and time first. Regular Recycling Center days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Verify holiday or snow updates before a special trip.
- Bring proof/sticker if needed. Portsmouth resident vehicle stickers are free and make access easier. Bring vehicle registration when applying.
- Pay before or bring check/credit card. No cash is listed. For paid items, use online prepayment when possible and keep your receipt.
- Separate free items from paid bulky items. Do not mix oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics, food waste, clothing and furniture into one unsorted load.
- Protect bulbs, batteries and liquids. Keep fluorescent bulbs unbroken, tape battery terminals when needed, and transport oils/antifreeze upright in sealed containers.
- Wipe electronics before drop-off. Remove personal data from computers, phones, tablets and storage devices before recycling.
- Use HHW Day for chemicals. Fertilizer, pesticides, oil-based paint, gasoline, solvents, acids and similar chemicals need HHW guidance.
Official Portsmouth Recycling Links
Frequently Asked Questions About Portsmouth NH Recycling Center
Where is the Portsmouth NH Recycling Center?
The Portsmouth Recycling Center is behind the Public Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
What are Portsmouth Recycling Center hours today?
Regular listed hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:45 AM to 3:15 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Tuesday has extended hours from 7:45 AM to 6:15 PM during the July 1 to October 9 period.
Is Portsmouth Recycling Center open Monday or Friday?
Monday and Friday are not listed as regular public Recycling Center days on the city’s Recycling Center schedule.
What is the Portsmouth Recycling Center phone number?
The city lists the Recycling Center phone number as 603-427-1530.
Can I pay cash at Portsmouth Recycling Center?
No. The city lists credit card and check payment methods, and says no cash is accepted. A minimum credit card processing fee applies.
How much are bulky waste fees in Portsmouth?
Many items are listed at $5, including box springs, mattresses, washers, dryers, dishwashers, tires, gas grills and furniture. Electronics are listed at $10, refrigerators and Freon items at $20, and clean wood at $15 or $25 depending on load size.
Do Portsmouth residents need a Recycling Center sticker?
Portsmouth residents may obtain a free annual vehicle sticker for easier Recycling Center access. The city says residents can apply with vehicle registration as proof of residency.
What items can Portsmouth residents drop off for free?
The city lists antifreeze, batteries, clothing, cooking oil and vegetable oil, eyeglasses, fluorescent bulbs, food waste, oil and oil filters, and empty 1 lb propane cylinders as free specialty drop-off items for residents.
When is Portsmouth Household Hazardous Waste Day?
The next listed Household Hazardous Waste Day is Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the Portsmouth Recycling Center / DPW location.
Does Household Hazardous Waste Day accept latex paint?
No. The city says no latex paint will be accepted at the HHW collection event. Latex paint may be solidified with kitty litter, sawdust, speedy dry or by drying it completely before disposal at the Recycling Center.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Portsmouth Recycling Center website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent informational guide. Verify final hours, fees, accepted items, holiday schedules, snow delays and payment rules through the official City of Portsmouth pages.
Final Local Summary
For a Portsmouth NH Recycling Center trip, go to the facility behind DPW at 680 Peverly Hill Road. Regular listed hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:45 AM to 3:15 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. During the July 1 to October 9 period, Tuesday is listed with extended hours until 6:15 PM.
Bring your free resident sticker if you have one, use credit card or check for paid items, keep receipts for online payments, and sort your load before arrival. Use HHW Day for chemicals and oil-based paint, and do not place plastic bags in curbside recycling.