Use Manchester’s Drop-Off Facility Without Missing the Scale or Bringing the Wrong Load
The City facility is at 500 Dunbarton Road. Most users should check three things before leaving home: whether today is an operating day, whether a permit applies, and whether their material is free, fee-based or restricted to a special collection event.
Manchester, NH
(603) 624-6504
Quick Answer for Manchester Residents
The City of Manchester Drop-Off Facility is at 500 Dunbarton Road, Manchester, NH, and the listed facility phone is (603) 624-6504. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM and the first and third Saturdays from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
If your load needs to be weighed or charged, arrive before the earlier scale closing time: 2:45 PM on weekdays or 12:45 PM on first/third Saturdays. Annual permits are generally required, although the City’s fee guide lists limited no-permit exceptions.
On this page
Manchester NH Drop-Off Facility Hours and Scale Closing Time
The public closing time and scale closing time are not the same. If your material must be weighed, inspected or charged by weight, plan around the scale rather than the gate.
| Day / Service | Facility Hours | Scale Closes | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 7:30 AM–3:00 PM | 2:45 PM | Arrive earlier for weighed loads, C&D debris, electronics, trash and other fee-based material. |
| 1st Saturday | 7:30 AM–1:00 PM | 12:45 PM | Regular Saturday operating window. |
| 3rd Saturday | 7:30 AM–1:00 PM | 12:45 PM | Regular Saturday operating window. |
| 2nd / 4th / 5th Saturday | No regular drop-off hours | — | Do not assume the facility is open merely because it is Saturday. |
| Sunday | No regular hours | — | Use a weekday or eligible Saturday. |
The First-and-Third-Saturday Rule
Manchester does not advertise routine drop-off access every Saturday. The regular schedule is the first and third Saturdays of each month.
If the month has a fifth Saturday, do not treat it as an extra open day. Verify the City’s current facility page before loading electronics, furniture, tires, yard waste or any fee-based material.
Annual Permit, Residency Proof and Who Can Use the Facility
The City’s current fee guide says annual permits are generally required. A permit costs $5, is valid for one year from the date issued and is sold at the Drop-Off Facility.
Manchester Residents
A resident may establish eligibility with a current driver’s license showing a Manchester address, or a valid photo ID plus a recent utility bill, property tax statement or lease showing Manchester residency.
Only one permit is issued per household, although separate residential units at the same address are treated as separate households.
Businesses, Nonprofits & Contractors
Manchester businesses and nonprofits, plus contractors disposing of material generated inside Manchester, may qualify for commercial permits.
Possible proof includes a Manchester business license, utility bill, tax statement, lease or relevant signed contract/confirmation from a Manchester property owner.
Items That May Not Require a Permit
The current fee guide identifies several no-charge categories that may be brought without a facility permit, including mercury thermostats, metal scrap, eligible oil and vehicle tires, rechargeable and lead-acid batteries, residential natural Christmas trees and textile donations. Individual preparation and eligibility rules still apply.
Manchester Drop-Off Facility Fees
The fee schedule below reflects the City’s current linked Drop-Off Facility guide. Rates can change, so use the official PDF as the final source before bringing a large or expensive load.
| Item / Service | Current Published Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Annual permit | $5 | Generally required; sold at the facility. |
| Recyclables | No charge | Paper and cardboard must be separated out. |
| Alkaline batteries | 8.75¢/lb | Rechargeable and automotive batteries are listed as no charge. |
| Electronics | 8.75¢/lb + $5 per TV or monitor | Includes covered video-display and video-playing/recording devices. |
| Construction / demolition | 8.75¢/lb | Doors, fixed cabinetry, sinks and toilets fall in this category rather than ordinary bulky items. |
| Non-metal bulky items | Residents: first 10 items/year free, max 2 trips; then 8.75¢/lb | Items must come from the permit-holder’s residence. |
| Metal scrap / appliances | No charge | Primarily metal bulky items are treated differently from furniture. |
| Fire extinguisher | $5 each | Do not place pressurized containers in curbside trash. |
| Fluorescent lamps / ballasts | $1 each | Lamps must be intact; broken lamps are not accepted. |
| Automotive / cooking oil | No charge | Oil must meet container and contamination rules. |
| Wet latex paint | $4 per can | Residential quantities only; container limit applies. |
| Dried latex paint | No charge to residents | Remove the lid before arrival so staff can inspect it. |
| Propane tank — 1 lb | $1 each | Larger tanks use a different fee. |
| Propane tank — over 1 lb, under 100 lb | $5 each | Maximum accepted tank size is 100 lb. |
| 100 lb propane tank | $15 each | Verify before transporting large tanks. |
| Trash / miscellaneous | 8.75¢/lb | Sort recyclable material out before weighing. |
| Yard waste | 8.75¢/lb | Seasonal residential fee waiver applies during the period stated in the City guide. |
The City lists card, cash and check as payment options. Regular customers in good standing may be able to establish a charge account through the Department of Public Works.
What the Manchester Drop-Off Facility Accepts
The City accepts a broad mix of Manchester-generated waste and recycling, but “accepted” does not mean every item is free or can be brought without preparation.
| Category | Accepted Examples | Key Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling | Paper, cardboard, tin, aluminum, glass and eligible plastics | Paper/cardboard must be separated out. |
| Plastic | Container plastics #1–7 except PVC #3 and Styrofoam #6 | Do not assume every plastic object belongs in the recycling stream. |
| Electronics | TVs, monitors, computers and qualifying video devices | Weight fee applies, plus a TV/monitor charge. |
| Automotive | Automotive batteries, tires and waste oil | Tire eligibility and oil-container rules apply. |
| Bulky material | Furniture, rugs and other oversized household items | Construction fixtures are not classified as bulky items. |
| Construction | Doors, cabinetry, sinks, toilets and eligible C&D debris | Fee by weight applies. |
| Special materials | Fire extinguishers, intact fluorescent lamps, latex paint and propane tanks | Individual fees and condition rules apply. |
| Yard waste | Leaves, pine needles, grass, brush and logs | Separate compostable material from brush/logs and remove contamination. |
Items That Are Prohibited or Need Special Handling
Asbestos
The City’s fee guide states that asbestos is strictly prohibited. Do not bring asbestos-containing material to the facility.
Fill Material
Soil, rocks, gravel and other fill are not accepted as ordinary yard waste.
Hazardous Waste
General household hazardous waste is not accepted during normal facility hours except for specifically identified fee-schedule items.
Other Common Rejection Risks
- Broken fluorescent lamps.
- Oil-based paint during normal drop-off hours.
- Stumps and large roots in yard waste.
- Oil mixed with water or another contaminant.
- Material believed to have been generated outside Manchester.
- Very large loads when the facility lacks capacity.
- Automated dump bodies, except where specifically permitted for yard waste.
Manchester Blue-Cart Recycling Rules
The Drop-Off Facility is only one part of Manchester’s recycling system. Most curbside recycling uses the blue City-approved recycling cart, while residents can use the Drop-Off Facility for eligible overflow or when curbside service does not meet their needs.
Put in the Blue Cart
- Eligible container plastics #1–7 except PVC and Styrofoam.
- Tin, steel and aluminum containers.
- Glass bottles.
- Paper and cardboard.
- Metal lids from jars or bottles.
Keep Out of the Blue Cart
- Plastic bags.
- Garbage and food.
- Yard waste.
- Styrofoam.
- Ceramics and dishes.
- Motor-oil containers.
- Hazardous waste.
- Light bulbs and plate glass.
- Bulk metal.
Place the cart at the road edge by 7:00 AM on the correct collection day, at least three feet from obstructions, with the wheels and handles facing the property.
Electronics and Battery Drop-Off
Manchester accepts electronics at the Drop-Off Facility. The current fee is 8.75¢ per pound plus $5 for each TV or monitor.
Before recycling a computer, phone, tablet or storage device, back up anything you need, sign out of accounts, remove removable media and erase personal information. The recycling facility handles the physical device; it is not responsible for protecting data left on it.
Battery Rules
| Battery Type | Normal Facility Rule |
|---|---|
| Automotive | Accepted at no charge. |
| Rechargeable | Accepted at no charge. |
| Alkaline | 8.75¢ per pound. |
| Lithium non-rechargeable / button cell | HHW event only according to the current fee guide. |
Latex Paint, Oil, Fluorescent Lamps and Propane Tanks
Latex vs Oil-Based Paint
Latex paint is handled differently from oil-based paint. Wet latex paint in residential quantities is listed at $4 per can. Dried latex paint is free for residents when the lid is removed before arrival so staff can verify that it is dry.
Oil-based paint belongs at household hazardous waste events, not routine drop-off hours.
Automotive and Cooking Oil
The fee guide lists automotive and cooking oil at no charge. Oil must be in containers of one gallon or less and must be free of water or other contaminants.
Fluorescent Lamps
Intact fluorescent lamps and ballasts are listed at $1 each. Broken fluorescent lamps are not accepted.
Propane Tanks
Propane tanks are accepted up to 100 pounds, with fees based on tank size. Do not place propane tanks in ordinary curbside trash or recycling.
Manchester Household Hazardous Waste Events
The City’s current Drop-Off Facility guide says household hazardous waste collection events are held at 500 Dunbarton Road on the second Saturdays of May and October from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
These events are for Manchester residents. A regular Drop-Off Facility permit is not required, but participants must bring proof of residency. Disposal is listed as free, subject to event limitations.
Typical HHW examples include oil-based paints, paint thinners, pesticides, pool chemicals, household cleaners and other hazardous household products. Keep products in their original or clearly labeled containers whenever possible and never mix chemicals together.
Because event instructions and limits can change, verify the current Manchester HHW notice shortly before attending.
Yard Waste, Brush and Christmas Trees
Manchester keeps yard waste separate from ordinary trash. The City’s curbside program changes frequency during the year, while the Drop-Off Facility provides a separate disposal route for eligible material.
For curbside service, no individual bag, barrel or bundle should exceed 75 pounds. Individual branches should stay within the City’s published size limits.
Drop-Off Facility Yard Waste Rules
Yard waste delivered to Dunbarton Road must be free of litter and rocks. Compostable material such as leaves, pine needles and grass must be separated from brush and logs. Stumps, large roots, soil, gravel and fill are not accepted.
Residential permit holders may dispose of one natural Christmas tree per residence at no charge. Remove decorations, lights, wire, stands and other non-organic material first.
Bulky Items: Drop-Off or Curbside Appointment?
Furniture, mattresses and appliances are not part of Manchester’s normal weekly trash pickup. Residents can either use the Drop-Off Facility under its permit and fee rules or schedule an eligible curbside bulky-item appointment.
Drop-Off Facility
Manchester residents with a valid facility permit may dispose of the first 10 qualifying non-metal bulky items per year at no charge, with a maximum of two trips. Additional qualifying material is charged by weight.
Curbside Bulky Pickup
The City’s current bulky-item page lists a $25 appointment cost covering up to five eligible items. Residents must schedule the collection; preferred dates are not guaranteed.
Bulky Pickup Does Not Cover Everything
Construction/demolition debris, electronics, landscaping materials, propane tanks, fire extinguishers and many glass items are not regular bulky-pickup items. Use the appropriate drop-off or special-disposal route instead.
Before You Load the Car
- Confirm that the waste came from Manchester. The facility serves eligible Manchester-generated material.
- Check the calendar. Saturday access is only on the first and third Saturday during normal operation.
- Plan around the scale. Arrive before 2:45 PM weekdays or 12:45 PM on eligible Saturdays for weighed or paid loads.
- Bring your permit or proof. A $5 annual facility permit is generally required, with limited exceptions.
- Separate recyclables before arrival. Keep paper/cardboard, metal, electronics, yard waste, trash and special materials apart.
- Check the fee category. Electronics, C&D debris, trash, paint, propane and some batteries carry specific charges.
- Keep hazardous waste out of the normal load. Use the designated HHW event for eligible chemicals and oil-based paint.
- Secure oil and liquids. Keep approved liquids upright and do not mix them.
- Wipe electronic data. Remove personal information before handing over devices.
- Call before a large or unusual load. Facility capacity is limited and exceptionally large loads can be refused.
Which Manchester Service Should You Use?
| Your Item or Problem | Best Starting Route |
|---|---|
| Normal bottles, cans, paper or cardboard | Blue recycling cart or eligible Drop-Off Facility recycling. |
| Extra recycling that will not fit in the blue cart | Drop-Off Facility. |
| Furniture or mattress | Bulky pickup appointment or Drop-Off Facility. |
| TV, monitor or computer | Drop-Off Facility under electronics fee rules. |
| Oil-based paint, pesticide or household chemical | Household Hazardous Waste event. |
| Leaves, grass or brush | Yard-waste collection or properly sorted Drop-Off Facility load. |
| Construction debris | Drop-Off Facility under C&D fee rules. |
| Missed curbside collection | Use the City’s collection tools/reporting route rather than assuming every missed cart should be driven to Dunbarton Road. |
Manchester NH Drop-Off Facility Map
The official facility address is 500 Dunbarton Road, Manchester, New Hampshire. Use the map for navigation, but use the City facility page for operating rules, fees and same-day notices.
Official Manchester Recycling Resources
Address, phone, hours, accepted materials and permit eligibility.
Open official facility page
Permit fee, electronics, C&D, bulky items, paint, tires, propane, oil and HHW rules.
Open official fee PDF
Current blue-cart rules, accepted curbside items and collection guidance.
Open recycling collection page
Use your street address to check trash, recycling and yard-waste schedules.
Open schedule lookup
Related Recycling Guides
Find Another Recycling Center
Useful when your material does not fit Manchester’s facility rules or you need a specialty recycler.
Household Hazardous Waste
Use this guide to understand why chemicals, pesticides and oil-based paint need a dedicated HHW route.
Cardboard Drop-Off
Helpful for preparing moving boxes, shipping cardboard and large quantities before recycling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Manchester NH recycling drop-off facility?
The City of Manchester Drop-Off Facility is at 500 Dunbarton Road, Manchester, NH. The published facility phone number is (603) 624-6504.
What are the Manchester NH Drop-Off Facility hours?
The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM and the first and third Saturdays from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The scale closes 15 minutes before the facility on those operating days.
Is the Manchester recycling center open every Saturday?
No. Regular Saturday drop-off hours are only on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Household hazardous waste events use a separate schedule.
How much is a Manchester Drop-Off Facility permit?
The current City fee guide lists the annual permit at $5. It is generally required to use the facility, with limited exceptions for certain no-charge materials.
What proof do Manchester residents need for a permit?
A current driver’s license with a Manchester address is one option. The City also accepts a valid photo ID together with qualifying address documentation such as a recent utility bill, property tax statement or lease.
Are normal recyclables free at the Drop-Off Facility?
The current fee guide lists recyclables at no charge. Paper and cardboard must be separated, and only materials within Manchester’s accepted recycling categories should be brought.
Can I recycle a TV or computer in Manchester?
Yes. The current fee guide lists electronics at 8.75¢ per pound plus an additional $5 for each TV or monitor. Erase personal data before drop-off.
Can I bring paint to 500 Dunbarton Road?
Latex paint is accepted under specific conditions and fees. Oil-based paint is not a normal-hours item and belongs at Manchester’s household hazardous waste collection events.
When are Manchester household hazardous waste events?
The current City fee guide says events are held on the second Saturdays of May and October from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Participants must be Manchester residents and bring proof of residency. Verify the current event notice before traveling.
Can residents bring furniture for free?
Manchester residents with a current facility permit may bring the first 10 qualifying non-metal bulky items each year at no charge, with a maximum of two trips. Other conditions apply, and additional items are charged by weight.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the City of Manchester website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. The City of Manchester controls the facility, schedules, permit rules, accepted materials and fees.
Final Trip Check
For most Manchester drop-off trips, four details prevent the biggest problems: use 500 Dunbarton Road, confirm that you are visiting on a weekday or the first/third Saturday, arrive before the scale cutoff when your load is fee-based, and bring the required permit or proof.
Keep hazardous waste, oil-based paint, electronics, yard waste, construction debris and ordinary recyclables in the correct service stream. When your item is unusually large, hazardous or difficult to classify, call (603) 624-6504 before loading the vehicle.