For Immediate Release: 10/14/2022
CITY OF TAUNTON DPW ANNOUNCES MATTRESS RECYCLING CHANGES MANDATED BY THE STATE
Taunton, MA…Today the City of Taunton Department of Public Works (DPW) announced upcoming state-mandated changes to mattress recycling requirements.
Starting November 1, 2022, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will implement new waste ban disposal regulations that will require all residents to keep mattresses and box springs out of the trash. These new mandates require mattresses and box springs be recycled or donated for reuse.
In order to comply with the new requirements, the City of Taunton can no longer allow mattresses or box springs to be collected as bulk waste. Other bulk waste items, like upholstered chairs, furniture and sofas will still be allowable waste collected through the City's curbside program.
The City of Taunton is partnering with a contractor, HandUp, to meet the new state mandates. Residents seeking to recycle a mattress or box spring will have the option of utilizing curbside recycle services with HandUp.
Residents may call HandUp to schedule curbside pickup by calling (774) 271-8744 or by visiting: https://www.handupmattress.com/curbside-pickup. There is a $35 per unit fee. This fee was approved by the City Council on September 20, 2022. A mattress and a box spring together are considered to be two units. Payment may be made via debit or credit card.
Residents choose a pickup date and will be required to have their mattress and box spring curbside by 8:30 AM on collection day. There is no limit to the number of units recycled. Residents will be required to pay for the number of items scheduled for pickup.
Units that are excessively wet, heavily soiled or visibly contain mold and/or bed bugs will be considered ineligible units and will require an additional disposal fee. Residents who schedule a pickup but fail to have their unit set out curbside will be charged a no-show fee of $25. In order to maintain compliance with the new regulations, the City will continue to monitor curbside set outs and enforce both City and State policy.
In addition to the curbside service option, the City will offer drop-off recycling services at the Convenience Center located at 340 East Britannia St. Taunton residents can bring their mattresses and box springs to the City's Convenience Center for a $35 per unit fee. The City will not be able to accept units that are excessively wet, heavily soiled or have visible mold and/or bed bugs. The Convenience Center is open Wednesdays 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Fridays 7:00 AM - 1:00PM and Saturdays 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Payment can be made by credit card, check, money order or cash.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has resources available at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mattress-recycling to provide additional information on the new regulations and the importance of recycling.
Please refer to the City's website https://www.taunton-ma.gov/283/Solid-Waste-Recycling or call the Department of Public Works at 508-821-1431 for further information on City services and the changes upcoming on November 1, 2022.###
