Portsmouth NH Recycling Center: Hours, Fees & Accepted Items

What Portsmouth Recycling Center Is Used For

The Recycling Center is part of Portsmouth Department of Public Works’ solid-waste and recycling system. It supplements the City’s normal residential curbside trash and single-stream recycling service.

The center is particularly useful for materials that need separate handling, including bulky furniture, appliances, electronics, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, oils, food scraps and propane cylinders.

Portsmouth Recycling Center Hours

Free Portsmouth Resident Vehicle Sticker

Portsmouth residents may obtain a free annual vehicle sticker for easier Recycling Center access.

The City says residents can apply at the Recycling Center on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. by completing an application and showing current vehicle registration with a Portsmouth address.

Stickers are also available through the Department of Public Works and are placed on the driver’s-side windshield.

Payment Methods at the Recycling Center

The City accepts credit cards and checks for paid Recycling Center items. Cash is not accepted.

Credit-card transactions carry a processing fee, with the Recycling Center page currently listing a minimum $2.50 processing charge.

Free Specialty Drop-Off Items for Portsmouth Residents

The current Recycling Center page lists several specialty materials that Portsmouth residents can drop off without an item disposal fee.

Portsmouth Recycling Center Bulky Waste Fees

The City publishes item-specific charges for bulky and specialty disposal. The table below reflects the current Recycling Center fee page, including the tire fee effective July 1, 2026.

Curbside Bulky Waste Pickup

Portsmouth residents can also schedule certain bulky items for curbside collection rather than bringing them to the Recycling Center.

The current curbside pickup charge is $10 in addition to the normal disposal fee for each item. Payment and scheduling must be completed before the item is placed curbside.

1. Pay for the item. Use Portsmouth’s online payment portal or make payment through Public Works.
2. Add the curbside pickup fee. The $10 pickup charge is separate from item disposal fees.
3. Call Public Works. Contact 603-427-1530 to schedule the pickup date.
4. Wait for confirmation. Do not put bulky material at the curb before pickup is scheduled.
5. Place it out at the correct time. The City says items should be placed curbside between 7 p.m. the night before and 6 a.m. on pickup day.

Electronics, TVs and Computer Equipment

Portsmouth directs unwanted electronics such as TVs and computer monitors to the Recycling Center or eligible scheduled bulky pickup. Electronics are currently listed at a $10 disposal fee.

Before recycling a computer, phone or storage device, back up files you need, sign out of accounts, remove removable media and securely erase personal data where possible.

Batteries and Fluorescent Bulbs

Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at designated drop boxes at the Recycling Center and Department of Public Works. Portsmouth asks users to place each rechargeable battery, or a cell phone containing its battery, in an individual plastic bag provided at the drop box.

Alkaline household batteries may be placed in regular household trash according to the City’s disposal guidance.

Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and should be brought to the Recycling Center. Ask the attendant where to place them rather than putting them into ordinary recycling.

Motor Oil, Cooking Oil, Antifreeze and Propane

Food Waste Drop-Off

The current City Recycling Center page includes food waste among the specialty items Portsmouth residents may bring to the site at no disposal charge.

Keep food waste separate from plastic bags, packaging and general trash and follow onsite instructions for the correct collection container.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Portsmouth hosts Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days twice a year, in spring and fall, at the DPW/Recycling Center site.

The event page currently lists Portsmouth, New Castle and Newington residents for the October event. The largest acceptable household-waste container is five gallons; drum containers are not allowed.

Oil-Based Paint vs. Latex Paint

Oil-based paint is treated as household hazardous waste and should be saved for the appropriate HHW collection route.

Latex paint is different. Portsmouth says latex paint is not accepted at HHW collection events. It must be completely hardened before disposal.

1. Do not dispose of liquid latex paint. The paint must be hardened all the way through.
2. Use an appropriate drying method. The City suggests paint hardener and also describes materials such as kitty litter or sawdust for solidification.
3. Check the center before transport. Once fully solid, follow Portsmouth’s current disposal instruction.

What Belongs in Normal Portsmouth Curbside Recycling?

Portsmouth uses single-stream recycling, so accepted curbside recyclables go together in the recycling bin rather than being separated by material.

Yard Waste and Seasonal Collection

Portsmouth provides seasonal curbside yard-waste collection. The 2026 City calendar lists the season from April 1 through November 30.

Grass clippings and leaves should be placed in paper bags, approved biodegradable bags or clearly marked yard-waste barrels. Individual bags or barrels must stay under 50 pounds.

Brush should be bundled according to current City dimensions rather than mixed loosely into household trash.

Before-You-Go Checklist

1. Check the operating day. Normal public days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
2. Verify seasonal Tuesday hours. The live City page currently lists extended Tuesday hours during part of July through October.
3. Bring your resident sticker if you have one. New stickers are free with qualifying Portsmouth registration.
4. Use credit card or check for paid items. Cash is not accepted.
5. Separate free specialty items from paid bulky waste. Oils, batteries and fluorescent bulbs use different handling from furniture or appliances.
6. Pay bulky fees before or at drop-off. If you pay online, keep your receipt available.
7. Use HHW Day for household chemicals. Do not mix gasoline, oil-based paint, pesticides or solvents into ordinary trash.
8. Secure rechargeable batteries. Follow the City’s individual-bag guidance at the battery drop box.
9. Erase electronics data. Protect personal information before device recycling.

• Destination: 680 Peverly Hill Road
• Correct operating day checked
• Resident sticker / registration ready
• Credit card or check available
• Bulky-item fee checked
• HHW separated
• Batteries separated safely
• Plastic bags kept out of recycling

Map to Portsmouth Recycling Center

The Recycling Center is behind the Department of Public Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

Related Recycling Guides

Frequently Asked Questions About Portsmouth NH Recycling Center