The Mass DEP has issued its final 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan, including strategies to reduce waste disposal 30% by 2050. This long term goal has resulted in changes to Agawam’s curbside program, including the removal of mattresses from our waste stream effective November 1st.
The Town of Agawam has negotiated an agreement with Republic Services to properly handle our mattresses through the end of the year. Eligible residents may contact Republic Services to schedule a mattress collection during the month of December. Due to the mattress waste ban, beginning January 1, 2023, boxsprings and mattresses will no longer be acceptable in the town’s curbside collection program.
Eligible residents may continue to utilize the town’s bulk collection program for all other acceptable bulk items. There will continue to be a maximum of 5 items allowed per collection, offered 6 times per year, as scheduled on the curbside collection calendar. Pick- ups for Bulk are by appointment only. Residents must call Republic Services at (413)557-6700 two weeks prior to the scheduled bulk collection weeks to arrange for pick up. Toilets, sinks, and carpeting (up to 3’ in length, maximum weight of 40lbs per roll) will require a $5 fee per item, paid directly to Republic Services at the time of scheduling.
Residents are encouraged to recycle their mattresses in one of the following methods:
- Utilize the mattress take back program from the store your new mattress was purchased from. Many stores offer the removal of old mattresses and boxsprings for a minimal fee.
- Contact a private waste hauler for collection. Many waste removal, or house clean up companies, offer curbside collection for a fee. Some offer additional services to remove from inside the home.
- Transport mattresses to a local transfer station, such as K&W Transfer Station in W.Spfld or McNamara Transfer Station in Springfield. Residents should call for current pricing.
Mattress recycling involves taking apart the components of beds and reusing them in other applications. It is different than mattress refurbishing or renovating, which involves reupholstering and reselling the bed. Most materials in a mattress can be repurposed once a bed is deconstructed (about 75%).
- Springs & Coils: Metal can melted and made into new items.
- Foams: Mattress foams can be shredded and used in carpet padding, moving pads, and as a fuel source.
- Fibers: Cotton and other fibers can used in filters, insulation or burned for fuel.
- Fabrics & Upholstery: Can be reclaimed for use in other items.
- Wood: Can be chipped for mulch or burned for fuel.
Discarded mattresses and box springs can be difficult to manage. They are hard to compact, can get caught in the incinerator processing equipment, take much needed space in landfills, and are expensive to transport as waste. The town will continue to explore additional mattress recycling options that may be financially viable for our community.