The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has added mattresses and box springs to the list of materials banned from disposal in Massachusetts. Beginning November 1, 2022, they must be recycled. The Town of Wakefield is partnering with HandUp, a MassDEP-approved vendor, for mattress recycling and upcycling.
Wakefield residents will still benefit from curbside pickup for mattresses, but scheduling will be done directly with HandUp online or via phone at 774-271-8744. The fee is $60 and a sticker is not required. The first pickup date is December 1 and collection will take place monthly. Residents should put out their units by 7 a.m.
In addition to mattresses, textiles will also be banned from the waste stream beginning November 1. Wakefield has drop-off bins at each public school through Bay State Textiles. These bins allow residents to dispose of clothing, shoes, and other fabrics in any condition; even torn and worn textiles are accepted at these sites. Due to the expected increase in drop-off volume, the Department of Public Works will be monitoring these collection bins to ensure they are cleared regularly:
- Wakefield Memorial High School: 60 Farm Street
- Woodville School: 30 Farm Street
- Dolbeare School: 340 Lowell Street
- Walton School: 18 Davidson Road
- Galvin Middle School: 525 Main Street
- Greenwood School: 1030 Main Street
- Doyle Early Childhood Center: 11 Paul Ave
Wakefield also partners with Simple Recycling for free curbside pickup. Residents can use their online scheduling form or call Simple Recycling at 866-835-5068. Many local charitable organizations also collect clothing and textiles.
Mattress Recycling FAQs
How do I schedule a collection?
Scheduling will be done directly with HandUp online or via phone at 774-271-8744. The fee is $60 and a sticker is not required. The first pickup date is December 1 and collection will take place monthly. Residents should put out their units by 7 a.m.
What size mattresses are part of this waste ban?
All sizes of mattresses are included under the ban: California king, king, queen, full, twin XL, twin, and crib mattresses.
Are full-foam, latex mattresses and “mattresses in a box” included?
Yes, those specific mattress products are included in the waste ban.
Do I need to schedule a pickup for all mattress items?
Residents need not engage HandUp to collect a mattress pad, mattress topper, sleeping bag, pillow, car bed, carriage, basket, dressing table, stroller, playpen, infant carrier, lounge pad, crib bumper, liquid or gaseous filled ticking, including any waterbed and any air mattress that does not contain upholstery material between the ticking and the mattress core, and mattresses in futons and sofa beds. Keep in mind, however, that many of these items are considered textiles and must be recycled through our Bay State collection bins, Simple Recycling curbside pickup, or other organization.
What if weather impacts pickup?
HandUp will advise the customer, the morning of the curbside pickup day, if it must cancel service due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstance. In case of a canceled curbside pickup day, HandUp will give the customer the option for a full refund or to reschedule for the next available curbside pickup day.
Are any items ineligible?
Mattresses or box springs that are excessively wet, heavily soiled, or visibly contain mold and/or bed bugs are ineligible and will not be accepted for recycling by HandUp. If HandUp determines a unit is ineligible and therefore cannot be recycled, its staff will affix a “rejected” sticker and take photographic evidence of the unit to show why it was rejected for recycling. The customer will then have the option to call HandUp for an additional pickup to dispose of the ineligible unit.
Are there any conditional fees?
In cases where a curbside pickup is scheduled, and when HandUp arrives there are no units to be picked up, HandUp will provide photographic evidence of no units being present at the pickup site. In cases of a no show, HandUp will charge the customer a flat fee of $60.00. If more than one unit was scheduled to be picked up, HandUp will refund the difference due to the resident to compensate HandUp for its time and inconvenience.
In cases where the customer pays the curbside collection fee for a certain number of units and the number of units that HandUp encounters when it performs the curbside pickup is greater than the units paid for, HandUp will take a photo to demonstrate the number of units was greater than what was paid for and has the right, at its sole discretion, to either charge the customer the curbside collection fee due for each additional unit or not pick up the additional units.
Customers must cancel scheduled service no later than 48 hours before the start (7 a.m.) of the scheduled curbside pickup day to receive a full refund. If the customer cancels within 48 hours of the scheduled curbside pickup day, HandUp will charge a cancellation fee of $60 regardless of how many units were scheduled to be picked up.
For any ineligible units, HandUp will still be entitled to charge the curbside collection fee to compensate HandUp for its time and inconvenience even though it did not collect the unit. For any ineligible units that HandUp receives, HandUp will charge an additional curbside collection fee for the second pick-up. In addition to this, HandUp shall be authorized to charge the Customer the amount equal to what the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District charges to HandUp and/or HandUp’s waste hauler for the disposal of the ineligible unit.
