Mattress 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.
  • Boston explains that MassDEP has banned mattresses from disposal, which is why they cannot go out with regular trash. 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.
  • Since November 1, 2022, mattresses are banned from disposal or transport for disposal in Massachusetts. 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.
  • A regulated mattress is any resilient material enclosed by ticking and intended for sleeping on, except mattresses contaminated with mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil or hazardous substances. 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.
  • All mattress sizes are covered, from crib to California king, including full-foam, latex and "mattress in a box" products. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no acceptable amount of mattresses in trash: a load with even one mattress is a failed load. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A mattress that cannot be recycled because it is contaminated (mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil or hazardous substances) is not subject to the ban and can be disposed of as solid waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents should start with their municipal recycling program, since many municipalities accept or collect mattresses, then try Beyond the Bin for donation and reuse outlets. 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.
• MassDEP: Mattress Recycling (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • Most furniture and mattress sellers take old mattresses for recycling and disposal when they deliver a new one. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MassDEP suggests donating mattresses in good condition and using Beyond the Bin to find organizations that accept them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MassDEP tells residents to find out whether their city or town has a mattress collection program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Municipalities may use MassDEP Recycling Dividends Program payments for collecting, transporting and processing mattresses. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Municipalities and certain public entities may use the FAC90 statewide carpet and mattress recycling contract. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Extended Producer Responsibility Commission Final Report (January 15, 2026) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
  • Before the ban, MassDEP gave $2.7 million in grants to 128 municipalities and 34 regional participants for mattress collection and recycling, and the state has contracted with four vendors. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The state EPR Commission (January 2026) recommended that the Legislature create a mattress EPR program. Bills H.1023, H.3985 and S.614 were pending. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Mattress Recycling Council: home page (program states) (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
  • Massachusetts has no Mattress Recycling Council (Bye Bye Mattress) program: MRC operates statewide only in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bill H.1023 (194th General Court): An Act to establish a mattress recycling program (opens in new tab) · The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Mattress EPR bill H.1023 has not passed. Its status is "Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means". 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.