Mattresses Banned From Andover Trash Collection Beginning Sept. 12.

ANDOVER, MA —The Town of Andover reminds residents that as of Sept. 12, mattresses and box springs will no longer be allowed in regular curbside trash collection or qualify as a bulk item.

The move is the result of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) making amendments to its waste ban regulations, which now require mattresses to be recycled.

After the deadline, Andover residents looking to dispose of mattresses and box springs have a few options, according to the town:

• Visit the website for UTEC, a nonprofit with a mattress recycling program, select "Andover" and schedule a curbside pickup. UTEC is Andover's preferred vendor.
• When purchasing a new mattress, ask the retailer to collect the old one.
• Choose a private disposal option. Residents who choose this path are responsible for associated costs.

MassDEP's 2030 Solid Waste MasterPlan established the goal of reducing trash disposal statewide by 30 percent —from 5.7 million tons in 2018 to 4 million tons in 2030.

One of the strategies for reaching the objective, according to the agency, was to add mattresses to the list of materials banned from disposal or transport for disposal in Massachusetts.

More information about mattress disposal in Andover is available on the Town of Andover website.