Manchester apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: stay ahead of Manchester’s evolving solid-waste rules while giving residents the clean, convenient valet trash & recycling amenity they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered around Manchester Code of Ordinances, Title IX (Public Health, Sanitation and Animals), including § 91.631 (Eligibility for Municipal Curbside Collection) and the city’s Downtown recycling rules, so you can keep large multifamily properties compliant even when they fall outside municipal service.
Within the City of Manchester, municipal curbside service is generally limited to 1–4 unit dwellings, while “large multifamily” buildings with five or more dwelling units are ineligible for city curbside collection and must use private haulers under § 91.631 and § 150.063. Recycling is not mandatory citywide, but it is mandatory in the Downtown Collection Zone for eligible properties. Across Hillsborough County and the rest of New Hampshire, there is no county-wide or statewide apartment recycling mandate, but property managers are still exposed to solid-waste, nuisance, and housing-code violations when dumpsters overflow or residents lack safe, clear disposal options.
- Protect NOI & Reputation: Reduce inspection risk by aligning your trash and recycling setup with Manchester’s curbside eligibility rules and housing code requirements for waste storage.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep service keeps residents out of dark enclosures, reduces trips to dumpsters, and supports renewals and online reviews across Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and other NH markets.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and service frequencies are designed around local ordinances (like Manchester § 150.063 and Londonderry’s multifamily recycling rule) and inspector expectations.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your property manager and onsite teams can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: City of Manchester vs. Hillsborough County & State of New Hampshire
City of Manchester (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Partial recycling mandate – mandatory only in the Downtown Collection Zone for eligible municipal customers; no universal apartment recycling mandate for large multifamily buildings.
- Applicability Threshold: Under § 91.631, municipal curbside collection generally applies to 1–4 unit residential properties. “Large multifamily” dwellings with five or more dwelling units are ineligible for municipal curbside recycling and trash and must use private haulers.
- Owner / Property Manager Duties:
For large multifamily properties, a property manager must:
- Provide adequate dumpster or toter capacity for all rubbish and garbage generated within the multi-family dwelling under § 150.063.
- Contract with a private hauler for trash (and, if offered, recycling), because city trucks will not service large multifamily dumpsters.
- Prevent overflow, loose trash, and nuisance conditions that can trigger housing or sanitation violations.
- Recycling Duties:
- Downtown Collection Zone: Recycling is mandatory for eligible municipal customers; residents must use city-approved recycling carts.
- Outside Downtown / Large Multifamily: Recycling is strongly encouraged but not mandated by city code; property managers decide whether to offer on-site recycling via private haulers or valet service.
- Key City Links:
Manchester Trash & Recycling – Official Page · § 91.631 – Eligibility for Municipal Curbside Collection · Recycling Carts & Downtown Collection Zone Note · § 150.063 – Waste Storage Facilities (Multifamily Dumpsters)
Hillsborough County & State of New Hampshire
- Mandate Type: No county-wide apartment recycling mandate. New Hampshire solid-waste law puts responsibility for recycling programs on individual municipalities, not counties.
- State-Level Requirements: The New Hampshire Solid Waste Management Plan (2022) sets statewide diversion goals and encourages municipalities to improve recycling, including for multifamily housing, but does not require private apartment communities to offer recycling service.
- Program Duties for Property Managers:
- Ensure trash and bulky waste are handled through approved facilities or haulers.
- Prevent nuisances (overflowing dumpsters, windblown trash, pests) that can be cited under local health and housing codes.
- Voluntarily provide recycling where available to meet resident expectations and ESG goals.
- Risk Profile: Even without a statewide apartment recycling mandate, properties can be cited for unsanitary conditions, improper storage, and nuisance-level trash problems. Communities that add structured recycling and valet service are better positioned for future ordinance changes.
- Key State Links:
2022 New Hampshire Solid Waste Management Plan (NH DES) · NH DES – Solid Waste & Recycling Overview
New Hampshire Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates (Manchester-Led Snapshot)
Across New Hampshire’s largest communities, Londonderry stands out with a clear multifamily recycling “shall provide” requirement for 5+ unit complexes. Most other cities, including Manchester, Nashua, and Concord, define who gets municipal service and how trash is stored, but stop short of a universal apartment recycling mandate. Property managers remain responsible for trash capacity, private hauling contracts, and avoiding nuisance conditions.
| City / Jurisdiction | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Property Managers & Owners |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester, NH | No universal apartment recycling mandate (Downtown recycling is mandatory for eligible municipal customers) |
Municipal curbside collection generally covers 1–4 unit residential dwellings. Under § 91.631, “large multifamily” buildings with 5+ units are ineligible for municipal curbside service and must use private haulers. Under § 150.063, the owner or property manager must provide dumpsters or toters sufficient for all rubbish and garbage; city crews will not empty these containers. Recycling is mandatory only in the Downtown Collection Zone for eligible customers; elsewhere, it is optional but strongly encouraged. Key local links: Manchester Trash & Recycling · § 91.631 – Curbside Eligibility · Recycling Carts (Downtown Zone Note) |
| Nashua, NH | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Under Chapter 270 (Automatic Collection), “residential property” includes single- and multiple-family housing up to and including apartment buildings of six or fewer dwelling units for city collection. Larger communities are treated more like commercial accounts and are expected to arrange private trash and (optional) recycling. There is no ordinance text compelling property managers of larger apartments to provide recycling, but they must still avoid unsanitary and nuisance conditions. Key local links: Nashua – Automatic Collection (§ 270) · Nashua Solid Waste & Recycling |
| Concord, NH | Service offered; no explicit “must provide recycling” mandate |
Concord provides recycling via curbside carts for eligible households and recycling dumpsters for multi-unit facilities with eight or more units. Multi-family facilities and businesses using dumpsters do not participate in curbside PAYT, but pay through dumpster fees. Public-facing documents describe the service but do not state that every apartment property manager is legally required to provide recycling. Key local links: Concord Recycling · Concord Trash · Solid Waste & Recycling FAQs (PDF) |
| Derry, NH | No multifamily-specific recycling mandate |
The town’s solid waste rules in Chapter 150 / 167 / 190 (via eCode: “Solid Waste”) focus on permits, transfer-station use, and illegal dumping. Residents in multifamily dwellings using designated recycling dumpsters can do so without a permit, but there is no “shall provide recycling” language targeting property managers. The focus is on keeping waste contained and using the Recycling Center correctly. Key local links: Derry – Solid Waste (eCode) · Derry Transfer Station & Recycling Center |
| Dover, NH | Optional multifamily recycling bins; no hard mandate |
Under § 145-11 “Multifamily recycling”, multifamily dwellings with five units or more may be provided with 95-gallon bins for recyclables, collected weekly. “May” is permissive, not mandatory. Multifamily residents can also use curbside recycling if on an eligible route. Property managers must ensure proper trash storage and may add recycling capacity to reduce contamination and enforcement risk. Key local links: Dover Code – § 145-11 Multifamily Recycling · Dover Solid Waste & Recycling |
| Rochester, NH | Mandatory trash storage; recycling encouraged but not mandated |
Chapter 19 – Solid Waste requires that “owners of any multi-family dwelling shall supply a dumpster or cart sufficient to provide storage for all solid waste generated within the multi-family dwelling” and that the owner is responsible for collection costs. Rochester offers curbside recycling and drop-off options, but there is no explicit ordinance forcing apartment communities to provide recycling at the property. Key local links: Rochester Chapter 19 – Solid Waste (PDF) · Rochester Solid Waste & Recycling |
| Salem, NH | Yes – Recycling is mandatory town-wide (not apartment-specific) |
Salem states clearly that “Recycling is mandatory in Salem, as per Town Code Chapter 409.” This applies to residents using the town’s system (primarily transfer-station users and curbside where applicable). The ordinance does not carve out a separate apartment threshold, but expectations apply to households and complexes using town facilities. Key local links: Salem – Recycling Information · Salem – General Code (see Chapter 409 Solid Waste) |
| Merrimack, NH | Education / voluntary recycling via transfer station |
Merrimack runs a Solid Waste Facility / Transfer Station where residents can dispose of trash and recyclables. The code for the Solid Waste Facility (§ 163) explicitly aims to “encourage the recycling of materials” brought into the facility, but does not impose a legal requirement on apartment communities to offer on-site recycling. Property managers are expected to manage trash properly and may send residents to the facility or provide private dumpster-based recycling. Key local links: Merrimack Solid Waste · Merrimack – Solid Waste Facility (§ 163) |
| Hudson, NH | Robust curbside program; no explicit apartment mandate |
Hudson operates a town-wide curbside trash and recycling program. Code sections on Recycling describe a program in which residents place recyclables at curbside in designated containers along with trash. Apartments that participate must follow container and set-out rules, but there is no ordinance that specifically compels every property manager to offer recycling at multifamily sites. Guidance stresses proper use of blue recycling carts and keeping recyclables loose, not bagged. Key local links: Hudson – Recycling Code · Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Hudson · 2025 Solid Waste & Recycling Guide (PDF) |
| Londonderry, NH | Yes – Multifamily recycling mandate (5+ units) |
Londonderry’s solid-waste ordinance includes a dedicated section for “Recycling: Multi-Family Complexes”. Property owners or responsible managers of all multi-family complexes with more than four (4) family units must provide a dumpster or other adequate means for residents to participate in the Town’s recycling program as part of the removal of solid waste. Failure to comply can result in termination of town collection and disposal services, and violations are punishable under RSA 31:39. Key local links: Londonderry Recycling Ordinance – Multifamily Section (PDF) · Londonderry Trash & Recycling Brochure (PDF) |
| State of New Hampshire (NH DES) | No statewide private apartment recycling mandate |
New Hampshire requires each town to provide access to a solid-waste facility and sets statewide waste-reduction and recycling goals, but there is no statute requiring every private apartment or multifamily property to provide on-site recycling. The 2022 Solid Waste Management Plan encourages municipalities to improve recycling, including for multifamily, and highlights the role of private haulers and property managers in increasing diversion. Key state links: 2022 NH Solid Waste Management Plan (PDF) · Waste Reduction & Diversion – NH DES |
Manchester & New Hampshire: Fines, Violations & Risk Snapshot
- Local Ordinance Violations: In Manchester and other NH cities, violations of solid-waste and housing-code requirements (improper storage, overflowing dumpsters, obstructed rights-of-way) are treated as municipal ordinance violations punishable by fines under local code and RSA 31:39. The exact fine amount and structure vary by community.
- Each Day Can Be a Separate Offense: As with many municipal codes, continuing violations (such as a dumpster left overflowing or loose trash accumulating over multiple days) may be treated as a separate offense for each day the condition persists.
- Service Disruption Penalties: In places like Londonderry, failure to provide required recycling access for 5+ unit complexes can result in termination of town trash and recycling service in addition to fines.
- Indirect Costs: Even where fines are modest, repeated violations can lead to increased inspection frequency, notice-and-order letters, heightened scrutiny from lenders and investors, and higher turnover from frustrated residents.
- Risk Management Tip: For every property, keep a basic compliance file: hauler contracts, container sizes and counts, site maps, photos of enclosures, resident education pieces, and any communications with local officials. This documentation helps show that the property manager is acting in good faith if a complaint or inspection arises.
Manchester-Led Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist (New Hampshire)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm City, Unit Count & Service Type |
Identify whether your property is in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Londonderry, or another NH jurisdiction, and confirm your total dwelling units. In Manchester, check whether you are:
|
Manchester Trash & Recycling § 91.631 – Curbside Eligibility Londonderry Multifamily Recycling Ordinance |
| ☑ Provide Adequate Trash Storage | For multifamily dwellings, ensure you have dumpsters or carts sized to handle all rubbish and garbage between pickups. In Manchester and Rochester, this duty is spelled out directly in code; failure to comply can lead to violations and service issues. Design enclosures so residents can use them easily and safely, and so haulers can service them without obstruction. |
Manchester § 150.063 – Waste Storage Facilities Rochester Chapter 19 – Solid Waste |
| ☑ Decide Your Recycling Offer (Mandatory vs. Voluntary) |
|
Manchester Recycling Carts & Downtown Info Salem – Recycling (Mandatory) Dover §145-11 – Multifamily Recycling |
| ☑ Engage & Right-Size Your Hauler |
Confirm whether your property uses municipal service, a private hauler, or a mix. For large multifamily properties in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and most other NH cities, you will rely heavily on private haulers for both trash and recycling. Make sure:
|
Concord Recycling Merrimack Solid Waste Facility Hudson – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle |
| ☑ Resident Education & Signage |
Provide clear, recurring guidance to residents on:
|
Concord – Trash & Recycling FAQs NH DES – Recycling 101 (Dos & Don’ts) |
| ☑ Keep an Inspector-Ready Paper Trail |
Build a simple compliance file for each community:
|
NH DES – Solid Waste Overview Waste Reduction & Diversion – NH DES |
Want Manchester-led, New Hampshire-wide compliance confidence? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your New Hampshire property. We’ll review your current trash and recycling setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with Manchester, Londonderry, and other local codes—without burning out your onsite team.
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