New Bedford to Charge $10 for Mattress Recycling

NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford officials announced Monday that city residents will be asked to pay a $10 fee to dispose of mattresses and box springs starting Jan. 1, 2023.

The change comes two months after the state's Department of Environmental Protection banned disposing of mattresses, box springs, and textiles in Massachusetts landfills.

According to the announcement, residents will have to pay the new fee for mattress pick-up, with a limit of one mattress and one box spring per unit every six months.

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New Bedford's announcement comes as a pile of illegally dumped mattresses recently made headlines in Fall River.

Mattress and box spring pick-up in New Bedford will be undertaken by private solid waste hauler Harvey Waste & Recycling Services, according to the release.

MassDEP made the policy change on Nov. 1 as part of its aim to reduce materials heading to landfill by 30% over the next decade and 50% by 2050.

City officials said in a release that many municipalities in the state are now charging $20 to $55 to remove mattresses and box springs.

"New Bedford has established a fee of $10 in order to limit the cost to residents," the release stated.

Residents looking to schedule a pick-up and make a payment should contact the New Bedford Department of Facilities and Fleet Management at 508-979-1520.