How Do I Dispose?

North Smithfield wants to keep all that can be recycled or diverted out of our municipal trash. Use these additional programs to help us reach that goal!

Not sure how to get rid of a certain item? View the A-to-Z Search website. This website will let you access RIRRC's listing of over 5,000 items.

This index will list ways to reuse, recycle, or the proper way to dispose so many items.

RI Resource Recovery Corp. Small Vehicle Drop Area

RI Resource Recovery manages so much more than what the Town can provide. There are many opportunities to recycle "good" trash beyond what is allowed in the curbside recycling program. Residents can take advantage of the RIRRC drop-off program during their hours of operation.

View the Small Vehicle Area website for accepted items at their Small Vehicle Area

Common Items You Might Want to Dispose

• Appliances: Large appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, and washers are considered WHITE GOOD. Appointments must be made by the last Friday at noon of every month. Smaller appliances (microwaves, toaster ovens, toasters if mostly metal, can be accepted in our scrap metal container at the Highway garage. Plastic appliances (coffee makers, etc.) should go in your trash. To schedule a pick-up, please go here WM Bulk Pickup.
• Batteries: Single-use batteries C, D, and AA can be trashed. Rechargeable, lithium, and car batteries are examples of batteries that are handled differently. For a complete list, see the A-to-Z list above.
• Bulky Items: Couches and old Furniture. Please call the Recycling Center at 401-767-2200 ext. 348 or go here to schedule a pickup.
• Clothing and Textiles: Residents can drop off all kinds of textiles in various collection boxes in town. Many boxes are Kiducation or Goodwill boxes, but any labeled textile container can accept more than just old clothing. Shoes, pillows, curtains, blankets, and belts are also accepted. Fabrics can be torn or have missing buttons, but not soiled or wet. View the A-to-Z Textiles website
• Cooking Oil: Bring to RI Resource Recovery in Johnston in their Small Vehicle Drop off Area program.
• Construction Debris: ex. pretreated wood, sheet rock, windows, tiles, etc. This material cannot be collected in the weekly residential collection. Residents can dispose of these items by bringing them to RIRRC or any area transfer stations for a fee.
  • For larger construction projects, a dumpster can be rented from various private waste-hauling companies.
• Christmas Trees: The town highway crew can pick up real trees free of tinsel, ornaments, wire, or bags. 
• Dehumidifiers can be brought to the Highway Garage during recycling hours, or they can be called to RI Energy at 877-889-4762 or taken to RI Energy.
• E-waste: TVs, laptops, tablets, computer monitors, and CPUs are no longer accepted at our facility. We host an E-Waste Event twice a year with Indie Cycle. The next E-waste events will be on June 28^th, 2025, and November 22^nd, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Extra Trash: Trash is limited to one 64-gallon Town-issued container. If you have more than the limit, it will only be accepted in the purchased Town of NS yellow bags. Bags are sold for $10 for a package of five 33-gallon-size bags. Bags are available at the Highway Garage, 281 Quaker Highway.
• Fluorescent Bulbs: CFLs are considered hazardous and can be brought to an Eco-Depot collection where bulb or tube sizes are accepted. Bulb-size CFLs are also accepted at many Lowe's and Home Depot stores by the customer service desk.
• Fridges- can be scheduled for a pickup, or call RI Energy at 877-889-4762 or go to RI Energy.  To schedule a pick-up, please go here WM Bulk Pickup.
• Hard-covered Books: Older, outdated books can be recycled in the curbside cart if the hardcover is removed. Paperback books can go directly into your recycling barrel. Bay State Book Donation bin is also located at Navigant on Route 102.
• Hazardous Items: Oil-based paints/stains, pool chemicals, and propane tanks are considered hazardous and are not collected in the weekly trash. RIRRC offers many Eco-Depot events throughout the state. Click below for more information.
• Mattresses and Box Springs Can be brought to the Highway Department during Recycling hours. If you need them picked up, call Diana from BP Express at 401-400-1658.
• Medical Sharps: All medical sharps should be placed in a thick plastic container, such as an old laundry detergent container. Secure with a cover and taped, and put in your TRASH CAN, do not place in recycling.
• Motor Oil and Filters: Residents are welcome to bring used motor oil, free of water, antifreeze, or other liquids, to the recycling area when it is open.
• Paints and Stains: The NEW PaintCare RI program makes disposal easier than ever. Click Paintcare for more information.
• Plastic Bag Recycling: Plastic bags can be recycled, but NOT in the curbside recycling bin. Instead, you would bring it directly to local retail stores and place it in the blue RESTORE bins. 
• Rigid Plastic: Hard, rigid plastic items such as broken trash and recycling bins, lawn furniture, and milk crates can now be dropped off at our recycling area at the Highway Garage. Any metal handles, bolts, or axles must be removed. PVC, vinyl, and Styrofoam are not rigid plastic and cannot be added to this collection.
• Scrap Metal: Items that are not container shapes cannot be placed in the curbside recycling cart as they damage the sorting equipment in the recycling sorting area. Chains, microwaves, and bicycles (tires must be removed) are all recyclable in the scrap metal program.
• Styrofoam: is not recyclable. Please go here for any locations that may still take it.  A-Z List from RI Resource Recovery CO. (rirrc.org)
• Shredded paper is NOT recyclable.  We will have two shredding events this year.  It will be June 28^th, 2025, and November 22^nd, 2025, from 9 am-12 pm.
• Tires: Town Fair Tire will accept tires for a fee of $2 per tire. RIRRC will also accept a fee of $7 per tire. Please double-check with both places as their prices may have changed.