Accepted materials at zERO WASTE DAY DROP-OFFS

Please note:

• We only take waste from Boston residents. You need to show us a photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of your residency. We will not take any waste from businesses.
• We reserve the right to reject any materials that do not meet our regulations.
• Latex and acrylic paint are NOT hazardous. Just let the paint dry out in the can and put it out on your trash day.
• We accept rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries. We do NOT accept Alkaline Batteries - these are your traditional, non-rechargeable AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt batteries - they are NOT hazardous. Alkaline batteries will be labeled with “no added mercury” or with a green tree logo. Please place them in your regular trash. Visit our website for more details on what batteries we accept. 

Accepted materials at zERO WASTE DAY DROP-OFFS

Please note:

• We only take waste from Boston residents. You need to show us a photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of your residency. We will not take any waste from businesses.
• We reserve the right to reject any materials that do not meet our regulations.
• Latex and acrylic paint are NOT hazardous. Just let the paint dry out in the can and put it out on your trash day.
• We accept rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries. We do NOT accept Alkaline Batteries - these are your traditional, non-rechargeable AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt batteries - they are NOT hazardous. Alkaline batteries will be labeled with “no added mercury” or with a green tree logo. Please place them in your regular trash. Visit our website for more details on what batteries we accept. 

accepted materials at zero waste DAY DROP-OFFS

Please note:

• We only take waste from Boston residents. You need to show us a photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of your residency. We will not take any waste from businesses.
• We reserve the right to reject any materials that do not meet our regulations.
• Latex and acrylic paint are NOT hazardous. Just let the paint dry out in the can and put it out on your trash day.
• We accept rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries. We do NOT accept Alkaline Batteries - these are your traditional, non-rechargeable AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt batteries - they are NOT hazardous. Alkaline batteries will be labeled with “no added mercury” or with a green tree logo. Please place them in your regular trash. Visit our website for more details on what batteries we accept. 

zero waste day Accepted items 

Please note:

• This event is held at 400 Frontage Road, but the entrance will be at 200 Frontage Road
• We only take waste from Boston residents. You need to show us a photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of your residency. We will not take any waste from businesses.
• We reserve the right to reject any materials that do not meet our regulations.
• Latex and acrylic paint are NOT hazardous. Just let the paint dry out in the can and put it out on your trash day.
•  There is a 20 gallon limit on paint, motor oil, gasoline, and all chemicals. Individual containers must not exceed 5 gallons.
• We accept rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries. We do NOT accept Alkaline Batteries - these are your traditional, non-rechargeable AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt batteries - they are NOT hazardous. Alkaline batteries will be labeled with “no added mercury” or with a green tree logo. Please place them in your regular trash.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, November 30, presented in partnership with the Friends of Copley Square, BXP, Sasaki, and Fairmont Copley Plaza.

This free event is sponsored by H.P. Hood LLC with additional support from Drake’s Cakes. The celebration will feature guided tour of the newly renovated Copley Square, arts & crafts, appearances by Santa Claus and Rudolph along with musical performances by vocalist Joelle James, the Boston Children’s Chorus and Symphonic of Emerson College. After the event attendees are invited to enjoy cookies and pictures with Santa in Fairmont Copley Plaza at 6 p.m.

Other 2026 holiday celebrations hosted by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department include the 24th annual holiday lighting of the trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End on November 23, the lighting of the ship in Martin’s Park at the Children’s Wharf Harborwalk on November 28, and the Boston Common Tree Lighting followed by the lighting of the trees on Commonwealth Avenue Mall on December 3.

The arrival of Boston’s official 2026 Christmas tree from Nova Scotia will be celebrated on Boston Common at approximately 11 a.m. on November 17. The 45-foot white spruce was donated by Ronald and Claire Feener of Lunenberg County, Nova Scotia.

Visit the tree lighting events page or call 617-635-4505 for more information. To stay up to date with news, park improvements, and events, sign up for our email list and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Province of Nova Scotia will host Boston’s signature holiday celebration, the 84th annual Boston Common Tree Lighting, on Thursday, December 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Boston Common, adjacent to the Visitor’s Information Center at 139 Tremont Street. Mayor Wu will be joined by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, marking the 55th year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917 explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. Within 24 hours of the disaster, a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel traveled from Boston to Nova Scotia to aid in recovery efforts.

At approximately 8:15 p.m., immediately following the celebration on the Boston Common, Mayor Wu will join the Friends of the Public Garden and the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall to flip the switch to light up Commonwealth Avenue Mall in the Back Bay. The lights on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall will be lit from Arlington Street to Charlesgate.

Please call (617) 635-4505 or visit boston.gov/boston-common-tree-lighting for more information about the festivities. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call 617-635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.