NAHANT — Starting Nov. 1, throwing away textiles and mattresses will be banned in Massachusetts, said Antonio Barletta, Town administrator of Nahant Wednesday on the Board of Selectmen meeting.
Textiles and mattress ban is a new addition to the state’s Solid Waste Master Plan made by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), to reduce and reuse waste.
MassDEP issued its final 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan in October 2021. The goal is to reduce disposal statewide by 30 percent (estimated from 5.7 million tons in 2018 to 4 million tons in 2030). The foreseeing longer-term goal is to decrease waste by 90 percent by 2050.
“The new state rules require that mattresses and textiles be kept out of the trash, so that they can be recycled or donated for reuse,” said Barletta. “Essentially what that means is in the past when you’ve been able to put a mattress or textiles out for collection from waste management. As of November 1st, they will no longer be allowed.”
Town of Nahant is putting information on its website and making sure that residents are aware that they have to use collection services or waste management for these materials. For a small fee, collectors will come and pick it up, according to Barletta.
The other way is when residents purchase new mattresses, they can “trade-in” their old mattresses for a discount.
Recycling for metal, appliances, tv, and computers is still going on. It is the last Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. behind the Nahant Public Works Department on Flash Road, 2022 Resident stickers are required. Visit nahant.org for more information and required fees.
Sylvia Chen can be reached at [email protected]
