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North Station on Canal Street is the local municipal drop-off used by Boston residents hauling household refuse and recyclables. Located in the North End, it’s the kind of place neighbors go to when clearing out an apartment or a small renovation job.
The site looks industrial - concrete bays, roll-off containers, and delivery trucks are common sights. There’s typically an entrance booth and a scale area where vehicles stop before and after dumping, so plan for a short pause. Recycling in Massachusetts has strict separation rules, so expect to sort materials and keep banned items out of the load. Weekends and spring cleanup bring heavier traffic, so lines at the entrance are not unusual.
Facility Information
Before You Go
- Pre-sort materials at home into piles (metal, cardboard, bulk trash, recyclables) so unloading goes faster and avoids last-minute shuffling.
- Bring gloves, a tarp, and straps - loads shift and containers are dirty; good gear makes getting in and out quicker.
- Allow extra time for weekends or the first nice weekend of spring; congestion on Canal Street and at the gate can add 20–40 minutes.
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Disposal Guides
Learn how to properly dispose of common items.
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