Massachusetts mattress, textile ban takes effect

A ban on the disposal of mattresses and textiles as trash takes effect Nov. 1 in Massachusetts.

The state also is lowering the threshold for the disposal of commercial organic waste. Since 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has banned the disposal of commercial organic waste by businesses and institutions that generate one ton or more of these materials per week. Effective Nov. 1, the threshold is a half-ton or more weekly.

In addition to restaurants and institutions, the new organics threshold applies to compost facilities that produce residuals. Compost facilities should address how they plan to manage residual materials if they produce a half ton or more weekly.

Managing mattresses

Mattresses are difficult to manage as waste. MassDEP says they are expensive to transport, hard to compact in landfills and can damage incinerator equipment.

Additionally, many parts of mattresses can be recycled, including:

• the foam padding that can be turned into carpet underlayment or animal bed padding;
• the steel springs which be recycled as metal scrap and reused in various ways;
• the wooden frames of box springs that can be turned into mulch or used as an alternative fuel source; and
• the fabrics and fibers that can be reused as industrial oil filters or other textile applications.

Included under the ban are the California king, queen, full, twin XL, twin and crib mattresses. Also included are full-foam mattresses and latex mattresses. Not included are mattress pads, mattress toppers, sleeping bags and pillows.

Mattresses that are infested with pests or are “excessively torn, punctured, soiled or moldy” are not recyclable, says MassDEP. Additionally, mattresses and box springs that are “twisted or crushed” cannot be recycled, per the state.

Municipalities planning to establish mattress recycling programs can seek a Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant of up to $10,000 to pay for a collection container that can be used to collect and store mattresses and box springs that should be recycled.

Mattresses collected at the curb can be placed in the container­—a roll-off, sea container, trailer or other suitable collection container—but ­the municipality is responsible for removing contaminated ones.

Municipalities and certain public entities may use the FAC90 Statewide Carpet and Mattress Recycling Services Contract to select a vendor either to accept mattresses on a per-unit basis or provide collection container rental and hauling. 

Businesses wishing to expand their collection of mattresses, textiles and commercial food materials may apply for a 2022 Recycling & Reuse Business Development grant. Grants will support purchases of equipment to expand collection services of these materials. Selected applicants will receive grants of between $25,000 and $100,000.