How to get rid of mattresses in Waltham

Spring cleaning can mean dusting, reorganizing drawers or, on a larger scale, buying a new bed. But how should one get rid of old mattresses? They are too big to put in regular trash, and the city no longer picks up mattresses and bedsprings as trash. 

Since 2022, Massachusetts has banned mattresses and boxsprings from disposal or transport for disposal. Instead, they need to be recycled as part of the commonwealth’s statewide Master Plan to reduce overall waste and disposal 30 percent by 2030.

Fortunately, mattresses and box springs can be recycled. In Waltham, up to 95% of their components are broken down for recycling, according to Bradley Ellis, Waltham’s recycling coordinator.  

How to recycle mattresses in Waltham

Many retailers collect old mattresses for recycling when delivering a new one, although they may charge a small fee. Don’t forget to ask about this when buying a new mattress. If the retailer does not offer this option, the city can help, especially if the house or a building has six or fewer units.  

Waltham has contracted with Green Mattress Co. to pick up mattresses and box springs for recycling. Call the Waltham Recycling Department at 781-314-3390 to schedule a pickup date.

A household can recycle up to six mattress and box spring units in a single calendar year. The company will refuse a mattress if it contains banned materials or is infested with bugs. If a mattress has bedbugs, contact the Waltham recycling coordinator at 781-314-3391 for more information. 

Rules for the pickup

Mattresses and box springs must be kept dry. They must be placed outside only on the day of the appointment for recycling. They should be left curbside with the house number visible (that is, not behind gates, on porches, or in backyards). Leaning the mattress against poles, trees, and front walls is best, but it cannot block walkways or driveways. Mattress bags and tarps are okay to use, but the driver must be able to identify it as a mattress. If the pickup requires leaving mattresses in a location where the driver cannot see the house number and mattress at the same time, the resident should make that clear when scheduling the pickup.

For people in apartment or condo complexes with seven or more units

Mattress and box spring collection must be organized through the building management or the condo complex, or through a private recycling company. If the building management doesn’t do this, residents have several disposal options, some of which require a fee. 

• Donate the mattress to a charity. The mattress must meet the standards of the charity (age, condition). The online Beyond the Bin directory suggests companies that pick up mattresses in good condition for donation. 
• List it for free on websites like Facebook or Craigslist.
• Call a private mattress recycling company, such as Recycling Works MA, 888-254-5525, Mattress Disposal Plus, 877-708-8329, or private disposal companies such as Green Team Junk, 508-244-0450 and 1-800 Got Junk.

The city has more information on its website. Massachusetts also offers information on its websites about mattress disposal and recycling and the statewide waste disposal bans.