Mattress Recycling
The City of Boston requires an appointment for the collection of all mattresses and box springs.
Recycling mattresses is now a state requirement. The City of Boston will not collect mattresses or box springs with your curbside trash. You must schedule an appointment for curbside pick-up.
The City only picks-up mattresses from residents who live in buildings with six units or fewer. If you live in a building with more than six units, you will need to contact your property manager for proper mattress disposal.
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Schedule a Mattress Pickup
Loading ...How to prepare your mattress for pick-up:
Only buildings with 6 units or fewer are eligible for mattress collection by the City of Boston.
If you live in a building with more than 7 units, check with your property manager.
- Place your mattress on the curb by 6 a.m. on the day of your appointment, or after 5 p.m. the night before.
- We cannot collect mattresses on private property. Mattresses must be in a publicly accessible space.
- Make sure your mattress is not blocked by vehicles and other waste receptacles. Do not place anything on top of the mattress.
- Do not crush or cut your mattress or box spring for collection.
- Mattresses that are soiled, dirty, or have bed bugs must be bagged. Mattress bags can be found at your local hardware store or ordered online. Failure to do so may result in a missed collection.
- If there is inclement weather, consider bagging up your mattress to ensure it is able to be fully recycled.
Keep In Mind
- Curbside mattress pick-up is limited to 10 items per calendar year. If you have exceeded your limit, you will need to contact a private mattress recycling hauler.
- The City of Boston will not collect any mattress without an appointment.
- Cancellations must before 12pm the day prior to your appointment. To cancel, click the link in your appointment confirmation or reminder emails. For assistance in canceling your appointment please call 311.
- The City of Boston will accept memory foam, box springs, innerspring, hybrid, and latex mattresses.
- We will not accept futons, mattress toppers, and other similar non-mattress items. Those items may be placed out for curbside trash collection.
- When purchasing a new mattress, ask the company if they will take your old mattress for recycling when they deliver your new one. Many mattress companies do this as part of their service!
Buildings with 7+ Units
How is your mattress recycled?
Roughly 75 percent of all mattresses and box springs components can be disassembled and recycled!
FOAM PADDING:
- Turned into carpet underlayment or animal padding.
FABRIC/FIBERS:
- Used in industrial oil filters and other textile applications.
STEEL SPRINGS:
- Recycled as metal scrap.
- Used to make new appliances and building materials.
WOODEN FRAMES:
- Shredded to produce landscaping mulch or burned as an alternative fuel source.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQThe Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has banned mattresses from disposal.
Roughly three-quarters of all mattress and box spring components can be easily disassembled and recycled. The recovered materials are then used to manufacture a variety of new products.
You can schedule an appointment for pick-up online at the top of this page.
If you cannot find your address, please fill out this form.
To cancel your appointment, click the link in your appointment confirmation or reminder emails. For assistance in canceling your appointment, please call 311.
Appointment cancellations must be made before 12 p.m. the day prior to your appointment.
Mattresses and box springs must be curbside or where your trash and recycling is collected. Be sure to include this information when you schedule your appointment.
Please note: items on private property will not be collected.
If your mattress was not collected on your scheduled date, call 311. Missed pick-ups must be reported within 24-hours of your scheduled date, or you will have to reschedule your pick-up.
The City of Boston will collect mattresses for curbside pick-up for residents who live in buildings with 6 units or fewer. You must schedule a pick up at the top of this page.
If you live in a building with more than six units, you will need to contact your property manager for proper mattress disposal. Private mattress recycling haulers can be found online.
If you have reached your limit of 10 items, you will need to contact a private hauler to properly dispose of your mattress.
The Residential Curbside Mattress Program only collects from residential properties with 6 units or fewer. If you live in a building with 6 units or fewer but could not schedule an appointment, please fill out this online form.
Download the Trash Day App
find out how to get rid of things
With our free Trash Day app you can search a directory of hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them. You can also view a calendar for your home's collection dates, set reminders, and get notifications of schedule changes
Contact Boston 311
Contact Boston 311Have a question or need additional assistance? 311 can help answer questions about mattress recycling in the City of Boston. Please dial 3-1-1 or call 617-635-4500.
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