Box Spring Recycling in Boston, MA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• City of Boston Public Works: Mattress Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Boston Public Works Department
  • Boston requires an appointment to collect any mattress or box spring; they are not collected with curbside trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The City picks up mattresses only from residents of buildings with six units or fewer; larger buildings must go through their property manager. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Curbside mattress pickup is limited to 10 items per calendar year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Boston accepts memory foam, box springs, innerspring, hybrid and latex mattresses. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Place the mattress at the curb by 6 a.m. on the appointment day (or after 5 p.m. the night before); do not crush or cut it, and bag and seal soiled or bed-bug mattresses. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Soiled, dirty or bed-bug mattresses must be bagged and fully sealed. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • MassDEP introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials in 1990 and has phased in more since. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Materials banned from disposal or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts include cathode ray tubes, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead acid batteries, mattresses, recyclable paper and cardboard, textiles, white goods and whole tires (landfills only). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The MassDEP waste disposal bans are in section 19.017 of the Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations, 310 CMR 19.000. Checked October 26, 2026.
• 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • 310 CMR 19.017(3): no person may dispose, transfer for disposal, or contract for disposal or transport of a restricted material except as the regulation allows, and violators may face MassDEP enforcement. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No landfill, transfer facility or combustion facility may accept a restricted material except to handle, recycle or compost it under a MassDEP-approved plan. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • 310 CMR 19.017 bans mattresses from disposal, incineration or transfer for disposal at solid waste disposal facilities as of November 1, 2022. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Box springs and foundations count as mattresses under the Massachusetts waste ban. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • For residents, most banned materials are collected through regular municipal collection or drop-off programs, while larger items such as CRTs or appliances may go through separate collections or drop-off events. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MassDEP notes that vehicle batteries, tires and cathode ray tubes may in some cases be collected by retailers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents with private (non-municipal) trash collection should ask their service provider for recycling options. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • MassDEP generally does not issue waste-ban enforcement to individuals; it typically targets businesses, institutions (including municipalities) and haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Pillows, cushions and rugs are not "textiles" under the ban and may go in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • For local recycling and household hazardous product collection days and hours, MassDEP tells residents to contact their community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Household hazardous products (old chemicals, cleaners, paint, pesticides) don't belong in the recycling bin, the trash or the drain. Store them until a community HHW collection or take them to a local, regional or commercial facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • MassDEP's Beyond the Bin directory lists outlets for items that can't go in the home recycling bin. MassDEP does not collect materials itself, listings are self-reported, and you should call ahead. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bill S.614 (194th General Court): An Act to promote the future success of mattress recycling (opens in new tab) · The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Senate mattress recycling bill S.614 has not passed; on 11/3/2025 it was sent to a study order (S2687). Checked October 26, 2026.
• MassDEP: Clothing and Textile Recovery (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • Since November 2022, textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric) are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, even worn, torn or stained items. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • MassDEP lists approved household hazardous product collection facilities. Call or check each facility's website for items, fees and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Questions about household hazardous products can go to MassDEP at 866-963-7287 or massdep.hhp@mass.gov. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.