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ASHLAND – As of November 1, 2022, mattresses will no longer be allowed in the trash.
New state rules require mattresses be kept out of the trash, so they can be recycled or donated for reuse.
In order to comply, the Town of Ashland will change the way it collects mattresses and textiles as of November 1, 2022.
Waste management will no longer be allowed per state regulations to pick up old mattresses and box springs, said the Town of Ashland.
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SOURCE contacted Framingham to see if they will make changes, and received no response.
It is important to note that this is an unfunded state mandate for cities & towns.
The cost of disposal of mattress will be $45 per unit in Ashland, but for now Ashland residents will not be charged due to a grant.
“Due to the diligent work of David Miller, DPW Program Manager in securing grant funding we are able to provide this service at no charge to residents receiving trash removal services for the time being. The program and grant opportunities will be reviewed annually,” said the Town of Ashland.
Approximately 600,000 mattresses and box springs are discarded annually in the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
More than 75% of mattress and box spring components can be easily disassembled and recycled.
Mattresses also take up a lot of space in landfills! Separating them for recycling is better for the planet and reduces the need for additional landfills and municipal waste combustion facilities.
The 2020 Solid Waste Master Plan has set a goal to reduce trash 30% by 2030 (from 5.7 million tons in 2018 to 4 million tons in 2030), and 90% by 2050.
One of the strategies the State uses to achieve that goal is to exclude certain materials from the trash.
“Mattress” does not include any 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” according to the Commonwealth.
All sizes of mattresses are included under the ban: California king, king, queen, full, twin XL, twin, and crib mattresses.
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What to do with your old mattress
If you’re not sure what to do with your old mattress, there are a few options to consider.
• You can donate mattresses in good condition.
• If you are buying new, you can check with the retailer to see if they will recycle your old one.
• You can recycle it by utilizing the drop off times at the Ashland Department of Public Works, (DPW) at 20 Ponderosa Road on the first Saturday of every month between the hours of 9 a.m. to noon or every Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Please note that proof of Ashland residency and participation in the Town’s contracted curbside solid waste removal program are required for mattress/box spring disposal.
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What determines whether a mattress is “clean” enough to be recycled?
Mattresses below are not eligible to be recycled:
Excessively torn, punctured, soiled or moldy items
Twisted or crushed mattresses or broken box springs
Wet or frozen mattresses or box springs
Mattresses or box springs infested with bed bugs or other pests
Futon mattresses, fold-out sofa beds
Mattress pads or toppers
Infant sleeping pads; air or water beds; any other furniture or textiles
Ashland residents can continue to utilize SimpleRecycling as a means to recycle clothing & textiles by scheduling a pickup by visiting https://simplerecycling.com/ or by calling SimpleRecycling at 866-835-5068. The Commonwealth will prohibit textiles in the trash as of November 1, 2022, as well.
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