Mattress and Textiles Disposal Ban
Effective November 1, 2022
Effective November 1, 2022, Commonwealth of Massachusetts has banned both mattresses and textiles from being disposed of as solid waste. As a result, mattresses and box springs can no longer be placed curbside with a $10.00 green tag with your trash and recycling.
The Town is implementing a new program as a response to this ban. Beginning the week of October 31st, and resident looking to recycle a mattress can bring said mattress and /or box spring to the highway Department located at 101 Gardners Neck Road. Mattresses can be dropped off on (1) day per week, every Wednesday between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm and one (1) Saturday of each month between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm as follows:
November 19 December 17 March 18 April 22
May 20 June 24 July 22 August 19
September 16 October 14 *dates subject to change
Mattress costs will now be $30.00 per Recyclable Mattress and $50.00 per Non-recyclable Mattress. Please see the following page for what constitutes a non-recyclable mattress. Highway Department Personnel shall determine the appropriate cost based upon inspection of mattress condition. Payment for mattress recycling shall be in the form of cash or check made payable to “Town of Swansea”
Residents will be required to unload each mattress, have it inspected by highway Department personnel, and place mattress in a covered container.
In addition, Textiles will no longer be allowed in Town approved trash bags. Existing collection stations located at Swansea Public Schools are available for the collection of said items. Gently used items in good condition may also be donated to The Salvation Army or similar entities.
When purchasing a new mattress, recycling of the old mattress with the store should be considered, thereby reducing additional expenses through disposition with the Town collection services.
Thank you for your attention to the matter. Should you have any questions concerning these Solid Waste bans, please contact the Highway Department at 508-678-5615.
Definitions- The ban defines Mattresses and Textiles as follows:
Recyclable Mattress – includes any resilient material or combination of materials that is enclosed by ticking, used alone or in combination with other products, and that is intended for sleeping upon. This includes all mattress sizes and crib mattresses. The also includes any foundation or box spring. This 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.
Non-recyclable Mattress – includes any resilient material or combinations of materials that are enclosed be ticking, used alone or in combination with other products, and that is intended for sleeping upon, however, such mattress is either heavily damaged, soiled, waterlogged, and /or contaminated with mold, fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances.
Textiles – includes clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, fabric, and similar products, except for textiles that are contaminated with mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances (i.e., shop rags or wiping cloths, etc.)