Waste Dumpster

Waste Reduction

The things we throw out have a large impact on our health and the health of the environment. All of the items we put in our trash carts are either sent to a landfill or incinerated, and both processes can pollute our air and water. We can reduce this impact by reducing the total amount of waste we generate, and by making sure that the waste we do generate is separated so that some of the waste can be reused or recycled.

Progress Toward Waste Reduction

Achieving Our Waste Reduction Goals

With 2008 as a baseline, our goal is to reduce trash 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. By recycling and composting, we’ve made significant gains. We have already reduced our trash by 30%.

Waste Goals
Hands holding vegetable scraps over a compost bin

Household Waste

Waste Per Household

Much of the waste generated in Cambridge households can be diverted from the waste stream, and instead be recycled or composted.

UNIT

Cambridge measures its progress towards the goal by using pounds of trash per household per week. When this is combined with data on the total tons of recycled and composted materials, we can see how well we’re doing with both reducing waste overall, and diverting waste into recycling and composting.

lbs/HH/wkPounds per Household per Week

Cambridge measures its progress towards the goal by using pounds of trash per household per week. When this is combined with data on the total tons of recycled and composted materials, we can see how well we’re doing with both reducing waste overall, and diverting waste into recycling and composting.

lbs/HH/wkPounds per Household per Week

How you Can Help

Get Rid of It Right - By Composting!

How You Can Help

Compost and Recycle Right

Composting and recycling help to minimize the amount of trash that goes to incinerator/landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and yield useful products.


Citywide curbside compost is available to all residential buildings. If you live in a building that does not yet have curbside composting, reach out to your buildings staff and the DPW to request curbside composting or consider using a food waste drop-off site.
Use the Get Rid of It Right tool to look up if you can divert your unwanted stuff.
Image of a dark blue recycling bin against a blurred streetscape