Boston apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: stay ahead of Boston’s large residential recycling ordinance while turning valet trash & recycling into a resident-loved amenity. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered around City of Boston Code of Ordinances, Chapter VII, §§ 7-13 and 7-13A and the City’s “Trash and Recycling in Large Residential Buildings” guidance, so your communities stay inspection-ready while protecting NOI.
Since January 1, 2003, large residential buildings with more than six (6) units in the City of Boston have been required by law to provide residents with access to the City’s recycling programs through the purchase, maintenance, and set-out of wheeled recycling carts under § 7-13A (Access to Recycling Programs and Services — Large Residential Buildings). Carts must be in a common area, within 350 feet of a point of egress, and as close as practicable to existing trash containers. Failure to comply after notice can expose property managers to $150–$300 per-violation, per-day fines under § 7-13A.6, on top of code violation tickets for set-out and contamination issues. In the rest of Suffolk County (Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop), there is no countywide apartment recycling mandate, but properties are still subject to local solid-waste codes and statewide waste bans (mattresses, textiles, and more).
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of $150–$300 per-violation, per-day fines and repeated 311 complaints by aligning with § 7-13A.3 (Access to Recycling Programs and Services) and City enforcement practices.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection that moves residents out of tight, dark basements and alleys and into a predictable, easy routine — boosting renewals and online reputation.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, cart counts, and service frequencies designed around Boston Public Works’ large-building guidance (recommended cart counts, cart specs, and set-out rules) so inspectors see a clean, logical system rather than a cluttered enclosure.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education and recycling guides, documentation, and ongoing monitoring so on-site teams can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: City of Boston vs. Suffolk County (Other Cities)
City of Boston (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling access requirement for large residential buildings (more than six units).
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to “large residential buildings” with more than six (6) units receiving City collection, under Chapter VII, § 7-13A.
- Owner / Property Manager Duties: Provide residents with access to City recycling programs by installing and maintaining an adequate number of blue recycling carts (64–96 gallons recommended) in a common area, within 350 feet of a point of egress, and as close as practicable to trash containers. Keep carts in good repair, lidded, regularly serviced, and not overfilled.
- Program Duties: Post and deliver recycling guides per § 7-13A.5; provide a guide to each unit when carts are installed and within 14 days of a new resident’s move-in. Maintain clean set-out areas, follow cart specs from Public Works, and respond to code violation notices and 311 complaints.
- Key City Links: Boston Code – Ch. VII, Recycling & § 7-13A · Trash & Recycling in Large Residential Buildings · Boston Recycling Programs · Code Enforcement & Tickets
Suffolk County: Chelsea, Revere & Winthrop
- Mandate Type: No countywide apartment recycling mandate. Individual cities and towns set their own solid-waste rules; none currently mirror Boston’s § 7-13A large-building ordinance.
- Applicability Threshold: Local trash and property maintenance codes apply broadly, but no Suffolk County ordinance requires all multifamily properties to provide on-site recycling access to residents.
- Program Duties: Maintain adequate trash service; prevent overflow, illegal dumping, and nuisance conditions; comply with MassDEP waste bans (including mattresses and textiles) through hauler contracts and site rules.
- Risk Profile: Even without a formal apartment recycling mandate, properties can be cited for unsanitary conditions, improper storage of solid waste, and violations of state waste bans.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design valet trash & recycling programs that align with local sanitation codes and Massachusetts waste-ban enforcement, so your communities in Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop are “future proofed” if Boston-style mandates expand.
Suffolk County Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Only the City of Boston currently has a codified large residential building recycling ordinance with explicit definitions, documentation duties, and a fine structure targeted at apartment-scale properties. Other Suffolk County cities rely on general solid-waste, nuisance, and state waste-ban provisions without a Boston-style, building-specific recycling mandate, but they still expect clean, well-managed enclosures and compliant waste handling.
| City | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | Yes – Large Residential Building Recycling Ordinance |
Residential buildings with more than six units are classified as “large residential buildings” and must provide residents with access to City recycling programs by purchasing, maintaining, and setting out blue recycling carts in common areas, within 350 feet of egress, and near trash containers. Recycling guides must be posted and delivered to residents, and inspections are authorized citywide. Failure to comply after a notice of violation can trigger $150–$300 per-violation, per-day fines and additional enforcement tools. Key local links: Large Residential Buildings – Program Page |
| Chelsea | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate located |
Chelsea enforces solid-waste and nuisance rules, and properties must comply with Massachusetts waste bans (mattresses, textiles, certain recyclables). Apartment recycling is typically provided through private or franchised haulers rather than a Boston-style ordinance, but poorly managed enclosures can still lead to local citations and MassDEP pressure. Key local links: City of Chelsea – Official Site |
| Revere | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate located |
Revere uses local sanitation and property maintenance codes plus state waste bans to shape expectations. Multifamily properties are expected to prevent overflow and contamination and may partner with private haulers to add structured recycling and valet trash service for residents. Key local links: City of Revere – Official Site |
| Winthrop | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate located |
Smaller coastal community where apartments typically coordinate waste and recycling through contracted haulers. While Winthrop does not have a Boston-style large-building recycling ordinance, MassDEP waste bans and local nuisance rules still apply, making clean, well-documented programs a smart risk-management move. Key local links: Town of Winthrop – Official Site |
Boston Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Per-Day Penalties for Non-Compliance: Under § 7-13A.6 (Inspections, Enforcement and Penalties), an owner who fails to comply with a notice of violation for large residential building recycling requirements can be fined not less than $150 and not more than $300 per violation, per day, until the violation is corrected.
- Each Day = Separate Offense: If a large residential building does not provide the required recycling access, does not deliver or post recycling guides, or ignores a notice of violation, each day the condition persists may be treated as a separate violation in the $150–$300 range.
- Inspection Interference: Interfering with inspections after an inspection warrant has been obtained (for example, blocking access to common areas or premises) can also result in $150–$300 per-day fines under § 7-13A.6.
- Code Violation Tickets: Independently of § 7-13A, Boston Public Works and Code Enforcement can issue code violation tickets when trash and recycling carts are overfilled, improperly set out, or stored in a way that blocks pedestrian access or causes nuisances, and residents can report issues via Boston 311.
- State Waste Bans: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) waste bans (including mattresses and textiles) can lead to rejected loads, surcharges, and enforcement pressure if residents are not given clear, convenient options for proper disposal.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a paper trail: keep service contracts, cart count calculations, resident-facing recycling guides, photos of posted signage, and inspection logs. This documentation shows good-faith compliance if a notice of violation or MassDEP-related enforcement question arises.
Boston Large Residential Building Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Building Status & Jurisdiction | Verify that your community is inside the City of Boston and confirm the total number of residential units. If your building has more than six (6) units and receives City collection, it is treated as a large residential building and must comply with § 7-13A recycling access requirements. | Boston Code – Ch. VII, Recycling · Large Residential Buildings Page |
| ☑ Install Adequate Blue Recycling Carts | Purchase and install blue recycling carts (64–96 gallons) that meet City specifications (lids, lift pockets, lift bars). Follow Boston’s suggested cart counts (for example, 7–10 units: 3 carts; 11–15 units: 4 carts; 16–20 units: 5 carts; 21–25 units: 6 carts, adding one 96-gallon cart every 5 units) and increase counts if carts are regularly full or overflowing. | Cart Qualification & Sizing Guidance |
| ☑ Map Cart Placement to Code Requirements | Place recycling carts in a common area within 350 feet of a point of egress and as close as practicable to existing trash containers, as required by § 7-13A.3. Ensure carts are accessible, do not block pedestrian pathways, and can be moved curbside by 6 a.m. on collection days without safety issues. | § 7-13A.6 – Inspections & Enforcement · Program Responsibilities |
| ☑ Post & Deliver Recycling Guides | Comply with § 7-13A.5 (Recycling Guides) by posting a recycling guide near the main entrance or near the carts and delivering a recycling guide to each unit when the program is installed. For new residents, deliver a guide within 14 calendar days of move-in. Reinforce with digital communication and move-in packets. | § 7-13A.5 – Recycling Guides · City Recycling Guides |
| ☑ Align with Massachusetts Waste Bans | Update house rules and resident education to reflect MassDEP waste bans, including the ban on disposing of mattresses and textiles in regular trash. Provide residents with clear options for mattress recycling haulers and textile drop-off programs so your building avoids rejected loads and surcharge fees. | MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans · Boston Mattress Recycling · Clothing & Textile Recovery |
| ☑ Document Service, Inspections & Resident Outreach | Keep a centralized file (digital or physical) with service logs, cart counts, inspection notes, 311 complaint responses, vendor contracts, recycling guides, and resident communications. This makes it easier to respond to notices of violation, demonstrate compliance to inspectors, and communicate program performance to ownership. | Boston Trash & Recycling Overview · BOS:311 – Report & Track Issues |
Need to get out of the $150–$300/day risk zone? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Boston- or Suffolk County–area property. We’ll review your current carts, placement, and resident education, design a valet trash & recycling program that aligns with §§ 7-13 and 7-13A, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show compliance and protect NOI.
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