Household Trash

By ordinance, Town residents must recycle, and private curbside haulers are required to provide recycling services to businesses and residents.  Narragansett and South Kingstown offer free recycling at the RHRTS.

For household trash, the Towns operate a "Bag and Tag" waste disposal system at the RHRTS. You supply the bag and place an adhesive tag purchased from the Towns on each bag prior to disposal. Because recycling is free, the more you recycle, the more money you save on tags. Tags are sold in sets of five (5), and can be purchased at the RHRTS or at the South Kingstown Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall. Tags expire after June 30th of each year and may be purchased individually in the months of May and June. Bag volume is limited to 35 gallons and bag weight is limited to 35 pounds. Refuse bags exceeding volume or weight require an additional tag. Refuse tags are limited for purchase by residents from South Kingstown or Narragansett only, proof of residency will be required to purchase. Click here for the current Bag and Tag price.

Recyclables

The RHRTS has a large area where residents may recycle for free. All recyclables can now be mixed together ("single stream"), however recyclables must be separated from your trash.

Accepted Items in Mixed Recycling Container

• All plastic containers up to 5 gallons in size
• Glass containers
• Metal cans and foil
• Milk and juice cartons
• Mixed paper and cardboard  

Prohibited Items

• Non-container plastic
• Plastic bags
• Plastic containers larger than 5 gallons (Please refer to Rigid Plastics below)
• Refrigerated and frozen food boxes
• Scrap metal
• Shredded paper (previously recyclable in with mixed recyclables) now prohibited.
• Styrofoam

Residents of South Kingstown and Narraganset can utilize their own recycling bins for recyclables, or contact their hauler for suggestions. Please make sure all containers are clearly labelled as recycling. The Towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown no longer offer recycling bins for residents. 

Additional Recycling in Separate Containers:

Appliances - Non-Refrigerant (Non-Freon)

A flat fee is imposed for each non-Freon appliance (this includes microwaves, stoves, dishwashers, etc.). Find the current charge to dispose of non-refrigerant (Non-Freon) appliances. Small appliances such as toasters, blenders (no glass), hairdryers, etc. can be recycled for free in the Electronics (E-Waste) container in the residential area. For a complete listing of items, see the E-Waste Flyer.

Appliances - Refrigerant (Freon)

A flat fee is imposed for each Freon appliance (this includes refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, de-humidifiers, etc.). The flat fee charge includes the cost of Refrigerant (Freon), Freon removal and disposal of the appliance. Find the current charge to dispose of Refrigerant (Freon) appliances.

Rhode Island Energy participates in an Appliance Recycling Program. For more information, and for a listing of upcoming events, click here.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a deadly carcinogen. Only licensed asbestos abatement professionals should handle asbestos. For more information, please click here.

Batteries

Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at designated sites. Batteries within cell phones, laptops, etc. can be left intact and recycled in the E-Waste container at the Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station. Rechargeable power tool batteries can also be placed in the E-Waste container. 

Single use alkaline batteries can be brought to Staples stores. 

Auto batteries can be brought to the Rose Hill Transfer Station and disposed of for a small fee. Click here for pricing.

All other batteries and rechargeable batteries can be recycled at large retail stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Best Buy.

Bulbs

Mercury containing products such as CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) and 4-foot linear bulbs can be recycled at the statewide EcoDepot Events. For a listing of events click here.

Home Depot locations accept all regular size CFL and LED  (light-emitting diode) bulbs, no linear.

LED bulbs can also be safely thrown in the regular trash if no recycling facilities are available.

Bulky Items / Construction Materials

A per pound fee is charged for bulky items such as furniture, demolition / construction material (4’ length maximum), etc. When you enter the RHRTS, bear right to go to the scale house. The attendant will weigh your vehicle full, and then weigh it again empty, and charge for the difference. There is a $5 minimum charge for South Kingstown and Narragansett residents only. Click here for the current per pound price.

Christmas Trees

Residents of South Kingstown and Narragansett may dispose of their Christmas Trees at no charge at the Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station each year from the end of December through the last week in January. Please remove all ornaments and tinsel prior to disposal.

Clothing/Textiles

Residents of South Kingstown and Narragansett may dispose of their used clothing and textiles in the Residential Area at Rose Hill in Big Brothers Big Sisters RI green bin.  Items for the bin include clothing of any kind, shoes, hats, belts, handbags, sheets and linens.  Click here for additional information.

Cooking Oil

Residents of South Kingstown and Narragansett may dispose of their used cooking oil free of charge in the Residential Area at Rose Hill. Residents must access the used cooking oil container by requesting assistance from an attendant to unlock the container for access.

Electronic Waste, Computers, Televisions, etc.

Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station accepts electronic waste. Please see our E-Waste Flyer or call the Recycling Coordinator at 401-789-9331, ext. 2259 to learn more about what is considered electronic waste and for additional information.

Food Waste

Food waste can be collected and transported to the Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station and disposed of in designated compost bins. The compost bins are located in the residential recycling area. If there is no room available in the bins they will be unable to accept compost. . For a list of what to dispose of in the transfer station compost bins, click here.

Hazardous Waste

For local events and information on hazardous waste disposal, please contact the RI Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) at 401-942-1430;or click here with upcoming dates for Household Hazardous Waste Collections. Hazardous waste includes, but is not limited to:

• Anti-freeze
• Chemical cleansers
• Gasoline
• Household solvents
• Kerosene
• Pesticides
• Paint thinners

Mattresses

The mattress recycling program accepts clean and dry mattresses and box springs for free at the RHRTS.  Damaged, wet, twisted, frozen or soiled mattresses or box springs or mattresses infested with bed bugs will be charged at $85 per piece.  Please click  for sample photos of recyclable and non-recyclable mattresses. Fold-out sofa beds and futons are not accepted as mattresses and maybe disposed of as a Bulky Item. Three piece limit per transaction. For additional information on the mattress recycling program, click here for the program flyer. 

Mixed Metal

Small items comprised of 90% or higher content mixed metals such as steel, cast iron, aluminum or brass can be placed in the Mixed Metal container located in the residential area. Please see attendant for assistance.  Click here for more information.

Motor Oil

Motor Oil disposal is limited to South Kingstown and Narragansett residents only.  Waste oil disposal is now a flat fee of $7.00 for up to 5 gallons & 4 oil filters.  Residents must access the waste oil container by requesting assistance from an attendant to unlock the waste oil tank..  

Proof of residency will be requested at the time of disposal.  Commercial waste oil is prohibited.

Paints

Please see attached flyer here to learn how to properly dispose of your paint..

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags and film are prohibited from your curbside recyclables and the Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station Residential Recycling Area. Plastic bags, plastic packing materials and film are accepted throughout Rhode Island at most large retail stores. For a list of accepted plastic bags and film click here.

Rigid Plastics

Plastic containers 5 gallons or larger in size or non-container plastics (such as lawn furniture, children's toys, plastic buckets and baskets, etc.) can be placed in the Rigid Plastic container located in the residential area. Rigid plastics must be free of metal and fabric. Click here for more information.

Shredded Paper

RIRRC will no longer be accepting shredded paper in the mixed recycling program.  Bagged shredded paper will be prohibited from your curbside recyclables and the Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station Residential Recycling Area.  Residents may bring their shredded paper, secured in a bag, to the RIRRC's small vehicle area located at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston.  In addition to the drop-off container, RI residents can attend shredding events, compost shreds in backyard compost bins or dispose of them in the regular trash.

Styrofoam

The RHRTS does not have recycling options for Styrofoam. Additionally, RIRRC no longer accepts Styrofoam products of any kind for recycling. Please place all Styrofoam products (i.e. containers, foam packing blocks, foam insulation and foam packing peanuts) in the regular trash.

Tires

There is a flat fee charge to dispose of tires. Find the current charge to dispose of tires.

Yard Waste

Special Yard Waste Tags may be purchased by South Kingstown and Narragansett residents only to dispose of leaves and grass clippings in your brown paper yard waste bag. Tags can be purchased at the RHRTS or in the  South Kingstown Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall. Find the current charge to purchase Yard Waste Tags.

Large brush, bulk quantities of leaves, tree limbs and trunks less than 6” in diameter and less than 4 feet in length may be discharged at a per pound rate. To have bulky yard waste weighed, bear right to the scale house when you enter the RHRTS. The attendant will weigh your vehicle full, weigh it empty and charge you per pound for the difference. There is a $5 minimum charge. Find the current per pound price.