Local Reuse / Disposal Options for Hard to Dispose of Items

View the Options for Reuse Disposal (PPTX).

Extra Ways to Recycle: In addition to the services provided by the City of Methuen and E L. Harvey, there is a multitude of private companies that provide reuse or safe disposal services to reduce curbside trash, save the environment, and support Merrimack Valley businesses. See below for some "Hard to Dispose of" Items that can be disposed of safely or reused locally at no cost or low cost.

Item
Batteries

Home Depot, 72 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, MA, will take batteries free of charge in their drop-off bin. Visit the Home Depot Website.

Batteries and Bulbs, 380 South Broadway, Salem, NH, accepts batteries for recycling. Visit the BatteriesPlus Website.

Bicycles

University of Massachusetts Lowell has a bike collection program. Send them a photo of the bike within a 30-minute drive, and they will come to pick it up pending condition. If your bike is not in repairable condition, see 'Metal Items' and 'Tires' on this page for the best disposal options. Visit the UMass Lowell Website

BlanketsThe MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA, accepts blankets as donations for their animals. Visit the PSPCA Angell Website
Books

If the books are in good condition, with no mold, mildew, or yellowed pages, Nevins Memorial Library, 305 Broadway, will accept them as donations. They will not accept magazines or encyclopedias. Visit the Nevins Library Website

Other Options for Books: The Used Book Superstore, 149 South Main Street, Middleton, MA, Bull Moose, 419 S Broadway, Salem, NH, Memorial Hall Library, 2 North Main Street, Andover, MA, Little Free Libraries near you

Cell PhonesBest Buy, 290 S Broadway E, Salem, NH, accepts up to 3 items per household per day free of charge. Visit the Best Buy Website
Clothing

The City of Methuen Recycling web page has a comprehensive list of local resources for clothing donations and drop-offs. Visit the Clothing and Textile page.

Clothing Donation Bins

Clothing donation bins are available at all Methuen Public Schools. Methuen public schools.

Other donation bins are at the Methuen Transfer Station on Huntington Avenue, North Fire Station on Howe St, Methuen YMCA at 129 Haverhill Street, and Haven of Hope at 76 Union Street

Computers/Electronics

Best Buy, 290 South Broadway E, Salem, NH, accepts up to three items per household per day free of charge. Visit the Best Buy Website

Staples, 167 South Broadway, Salem, NH, accepts many electronic devices. Visit the Staples Website

Construction Debris

Agretech Corporation, 50 Jackson Street, Dracut, MA. Agretech accepts asphalt, bricks, and concrete for reuse at a fee. Visit the Agretech Website

Eyeglasses

Walmart Vision Center, 326 North Broadway, Salem, NH, is partnered with Lions Club, to collect donations of old eyeglasses. Visit the Walmart Website

Pearle Vision at the Loop, 90 Pleasant Valley St Number 250, Methuen, MA, has a donation box for the collection of corrective glasses.

Nevins Memorial Library, 305 Broadway, Methuen, MA, also has a drop-off bin for eyeglasses

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

The Home Depot, 72 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, MA, accepts fluorescent bulbs for recycling free of charge in their drop off bin.

Batteries and Bulbs, 380 South Broadway, Salem, NH, accepts all sorts of light bulbs. Visit the BatteriesPlus+ Website

Ink Cartridges

Walgreens, 265 Pleasant Street, will refill cartridges at a lower cost than buying new ones. Visit the Walgreens Website

Staples, 167 South Broadway, Salem, NH, will accept ink cartridges for recycling free of charge. Visit the Staples Website

Medical Aids

Freemasons Hospital Equipment Loan Program, 500 W Cummings Park, Woburn, MA, accepts medical equipment for home care. Visit the SMD Help Website

Mercury/Thermometers

The City of Methuen collects mercury products at the Board of Health, 2nd Floor, 41 Pleasant Street. Items accepted include thermometers, button batteries containing mercury, and thermostats. View the Mercury Recovery Program (PDF).

Metal and Scrap Metal

Windfield Alloy Inc. will take scrap metal usually free of charge. Visit the Windfield Alloy Inc. Website

The Methuen Transfer Station, 50 Huntington Avenue, also accepts extra scrap metal for a fee. You must have a transfer station sticker. Visit the Methuen Transfer Station Page.

Motor OilAccording to Massachusetts State Law, any business that sells motor oil must take used motor oil back - with a receipt.
Latex Paint

Latex paint can be thrown away in standard trash collection once it is dry. To ensure it is dry, pour it out in a small portion and wait for it to dry. After one portion has dried, pour the next portion and repeat until it is all dry.

An alternative way is to use sawdust, kitty litter, or another absorbent material to dry the paint.

Oil PaintOil paint is accepted at Methuen's Hazardous Waste Day, held each year in June, and other regional Hazardous Waste Events open to Methuen residents. Visit the Methuen's Hazardous Waste Day page.
Packaging Materials

The Methuen Post Office, 272 Broadway, Methuen, MA, accept packaging materials.

Plastic Bags

Plastic Bag Recycling Options in Methuen: The Home Depot, 72 Pleasant Valley Street, Market Basket all locations, Walmart, 70 Pleasant Valley Street, Target, 67 Pleasant Valley Street.

To find other nearby stores visit the Bag and Film Recycling website.
Sharps and NeedlesThe Methuen Police Station, 90 Hampshire Street Methuen, MA, has a needle disposal kiosk located in its lobby for proper disposal of sharps and needles. Visit the Community Engagement Unit page.
Tires

Broadway Tire Pros, 456 Broadway, Lawrence, MA, will accept car tires for $7 per tire. Visit the Broadway Tire Pros Website.

Town Fair Tire, 105 South Broadway, Salem, NH, takes up to 10 tires for a $3.75 fee per tire. Visit the Town Fair Tire Website

Unwanted/Expired MedicationsThe Methuen Police Station, 90 Hampshire Street Methuen, MA, collects excess medications in the lobby for proper disposal. Visit the Community Engagement Unit page.