Prospect Recycling Red Sticker Rule

Prospect Recycling Center Opened April 1 with New Red Sticker Requirement

The Town of Prospect's bulk recycling center at 157 Plank Road opened for the 2026 season on April 1, under a new vehicle sticker system that requires residents to obtain a red sticker before they can enter. The red sticker replaces all prior sticker colors — including last year's blue sticker — which are no longer accepted. Residents who have not yet obtained a sticker will need to do so before their next visit.

Red stickers became available on March 26, 2026 at the Mayor's Office at Town Hall, 36 Center Street, Prospect. The sticker costs $25, payable in cash only. To obtain one, residents must bring a valid driver's license and current vehicle registration for the vehicle that will be used at the facility.

Hours and Location

The bulk recycling center is located at 157 Plank Road, Prospect, CT 06712. The facility is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The center can be reached at (203) 758-4461. From Route 69, take Summit Road — near the Shell Station — to Plank Road. From Route 68, Plank Road is located between Public Works and Señor Panchos.

Residents who do not have a red sticker but need occasional access may purchase a one-day pass at Town Hall for $5 each, with a maximum of five one-day passes permitted per year.

What the Center Accepts — and What It Does Not

The bulk recycling center accepts a range of large items not handled by curbside collection, including metal appliances such as washing machines and water heaters, wood pieces up to three to four feet long, furniture including couches, chairs, and rugs, car batteries, electronics including televisions, computers, monitors, and printers, mattresses, and brush and vegetation. Trailers are permitted only for brush and vegetation loads.

Several categories of materials are prohibited. Cardboard must go out for curbside collection and is not accepted at the facility. Hazardous materials including paint and lighter fluid are not accepted. Building debris such as drywall and shingles is prohibited. Vehicle engines, smoke detectors, and leaves are also not accepted at the recycling center. Leaves must be brought to a separate facility at Big Sky Farm, 50 Roaring Brook Road in Prospect.

Tire Disposal Rules

Tires are accepted at the bulk recycling center but with specific restrictions. Only tires off the rim are permitted, and residents are limited to four tires per visit. The cost is $5 per tire. Payment must be made at Town Hall before arriving at the center — residents must present their payment receipt at the gate when dropping off tires.

Commercial Vehicles Prohibited

The facility is strictly for in-town residential use. Commercial use of any kind is not permitted. Prohibited commercial vehicles include dump trucks, flatbeds, rack body trucks, and rental trucks such as U-Hauls.

Why the Switch to Red Stickers

The town has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the reasoning behind the sticker color change, but officials confirmed through posted notices that all prior-year stickers are invalid for the 2026 season. Residents are encouraged to remove old blue or other-colored stickers from their vehicles to avoid confusion at the gate.

The transition to a cash-only, in-person registration system at Town Hall ensures that each sticker is tied to a verified Prospect resident with a registered vehicle — consistent with the center's residential-only policy. Residents with multiple vehicles may need a separate sticker for each vehicle used at the facility, as the sticker is issued per registered vehicle at the time of application.

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