Mattress Recycling
The City of Boston requires an appointment for the collection of all mattresses and box springs. Learn how to schedule an appointment for pick-up, what products can be made from recovered materials, and how to recycle your mattress if you live in a big building.
Recycling mattresses is a state requirement as of November 1, 2022. The City of Boston does 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.
Schedule a Mattress Pickup
Loading ...How to prepare your mattress for pick-up:
- Place your mattress on the curb by 6 a.m. on the day of your appointment, or after 5 p.m. the night before.
- 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 it is supposed to rain or snow on your scheduled collection day, wait until the morning to place your mattress curbside. Please have mattresses out by 6am rain or snow. 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.
- If you need to cancel your appointment, you must cancel 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. We will not accept futons, mattress toppers, and other similar non-mattress items. Those items may be placed out for curbside trash collection.
- The City of Boston will not collect any mattress without an appointment.
- 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!
Most of your unwanted mattress or box spring is recyclable!
Roughly 75 percent of all mattresses and box springs components can be disassembled and recycled. The recovered materials are used to manufacture a variety of new products!
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.
Buildings with 7+ Units
Residents who live in buildings with 7+ units will need to speak with their management company on how to recycle their mattress. There are many local mattress haulers that service large residential buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQThe City of Boston offers free curbside pick-up for mattresses and box springs. Mattress and box springs will not be collected without an appointment. This program is available to residents who live in buildings with six units or fewer.
In November 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 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, or by calling 311.
To cancel your appointment, click the link in your appointment confirmation or reminder emails. For assistance in canceling your appointment, please call 311. Appointment cancelations must be made before 12pm the day prior to your appointment.
Mattresses and box springs must be curbside or where your designated 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 12-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. If you live in a building with more than 6 units, you will need to contact your property manager for proper mattress disposal.
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 here.
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 and could not schedule an appointment, please fill out this form.
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.
