Mattresses and Box Springs

Capitol Waste Services, Inc. will be collecting the mattresses and box springs in Randolph.  This program will begin the first week of November. Residents must schedule a pick up by using “See Click Fix” (https://seeclickfix.com/randolph/report) or by calling the Randolph Public Health Department at 781-961-0924 to schedule a pick up, the same way that you already call for bulk items.  Mattresses and Box Springs must be on the curb before 7:00 AM on Friday Morning.  Only scheduled mattresses and box springs will be picked up on Friday, regardless of your normal curbside service day.   The deadline to schedule a Friday Pick up is Wednesday afternoon by 4:00 PM, otherwise, you will need to wait until the following week. 

Mattresses and Box Springs that are heavily soiled, moldy, mangled, infested with bed bugs or otherwise unrecyclable can be placed in the regular trash. One, (1) mattresses and One, (1) box spring at each address will be allowed per week. There will be a $25 surcharge to the resident for items scheduled for pickup and not at the curb when the mattress truck arrives for collection. Cancellations must take place the day before collection to avoid the surcharge.  All Randolph residents that participate in the existing curbside collection program can call for mattress and box spring recycling. 

Remember, when purchasing a new box spring or mattress, check with the company from which you have made your purchase to see if they have removal options. This option is offered by many mattress and furniture companies.

Textiles
The Town of Randolph Public Health Department has entered into an agreement with CMRK, Inc., to service the town for all textile recycling and recovery. The Textile Recycling Bins are conveniently located by the DPW yard on 6 Carlino Drive, and in the parking lot behind 1 Turner Lane.  Textiles are defined in the regulations as clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, fabric, and similar products.  Donations must be clean, dry, and odorless. Clothing and textiles of all sizes and all seasons are accepted. All items must be secured in plastic bags before placing them in the bin.

Holes, stains, tears, and the like are not a reason to exclude these materials from the bin. Single socks, shoes, and mittens, too!  The only unaccepted donations are those which are wet/moldy or contaminated with oil or hazardous substances. Do not place housewares, books or furniture at the textile boxes.  Additionally, convenient free household pick-ups for textiles, housewares and other related items are also available by emailing: [email protected] or by calling 508-466-4590 or going online at  https://www.bbbsfoundation.org/schedule-a-pickup/. A complete list of acceptable items can be found at  https://www.bbbsfoundation.org/faqs/acceptable-non-acceptable-items/.

Below, you will find some common questions and answers about Mattresses, Box Springs and Textiles:

What does this mean to you as a resident of Randolph?

No mattresses or box springs or textiles will be collected by the regular curbside trash pickup after November 1, 2022, unless they are heavily soiled, moldy, mangled, infested with bed bugs or otherwise unrecyclable.  There is no cost to recycle your mattress or box spring at this time, however, a transportation fee and recycling fee may be collected in the future.

Why can’t these items be picked up at curbside?

Massachusetts law forbids the disposal of mattresses and box springs with all other trash and rubbish.  The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) established a goal to reduce waste disposal statewide by 30 percent over the next decade.  Removing mattresses and box springs is just one strategy to help achieve this goal. 

What type(s) of mattresses are subject to the mattress waste disposal ban?

Mattresses are defined in the regulations as “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, except for mattresses that are contaminated with mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances. Mattress includes any foundation or box spring. Mattress 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 waterbed and any air mattress”.

What size mattress is included in the ban?

All sizes of mattresses are included under the ban: California king, king, queen, full, twin XL, twin, and crib mattresses.

What about full-foam or latex mattresses, or “mattresses in a box”?

Yes, those specific mattress products are included in the waste ban and should be scheduled for a recycling pick up.

What determines whether a mattress is “clean” enough to be recycled?

The following shall not be sent for recycling: Torn, punctured, soiled or moldy mattresses, twisted or crushed mattresses, broken box springs wet or frozen mattresses or box springs, mattresses or box springs infested with bed bugs or other pests, futon mattresses, fold-out sofa beds, mattress pads or toppers, infant sleeping pads, air or water beds, any other furniture or textiles.

Textile Recovery for Recycling in Randolph

No textiles can be placed in your trash for regular trash pickup.

Are used wiping clothes or “shop rags” considered textiles subject to the waste disposal ban?

No, these would be considered as contaminated and would not be subject to the waste disposal ban.

Other resources
Donating goods - The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Boomerangs, and Savers thrift stores do not take mattresses, but all accept clothing and textiles, according to their websites.  Such donations may be tax-deductible, depending on the condition of the items. According to the IRS, deductions cannot be taken for clothing unless it is in good used condition or better.  For more information, visit https://recyclesmartma.org/beyond-the-bin-search/.

If you have additional questions, please email [email protected] or call 781-961-0924.

Gerard F. Cody, REHS/RS is the Public Health Commissioner who manages the Solid Waste & Recycling program for the Town of Randolph.