Massachusetts disposal rules

How to get rid of anything in Massachusetts.

Checked November 2026 · by JUNKRUN, Melrose MA

In short

Massachusetts bans mattresses, large appliances, tube TVs, whole tires, leaves and more from the trash, and treats paint and propane as hazardous products. For every item the order is the same: free routes first (donate, dealer take-back, your town), then low-cost drop-offs, then hauling. Pick your item below for the rule, the options and what towns charge.

Pick your item

Is it banned from the trash, the cheapest legal route, and what JunkRun charges to take it. Prices come from our price list; the minimum pickup applies.

Item and state rule	Legal destination	Free or cheap	Typical town fee	JunkRun price	Guide
Mattress / box springBanned or restrictedBanned from disposal since Nov 1, 2022; a mattress and a box spring each count as one piece	Town mattress program, retailer haul-away with a new mattress, or a mattress recycler	Retailer haul-away when a new mattress is delivered; donate only if clean and in good shape	$20-$65 per piece (Bedford $20, Winchester $30, Reading $33 drop-off or $65 curbside, Wakefield $60, Melrose $40 drop-off or $65 curbside)Sources: mass.gov, mass.gov (2), winchester.us, readingma.gov, wakefieldma.gov, bedfordma.gov, cityofmelrose.org	$89 twin, $99 full, $109 queen, $129 king; box springs $59-$99; recycling fee included	Guide →
Couch / sofaNot bannedNot banned; towns set bulky-item rules	Town bulky pickup, donation if clean, or transfer station	One bulky item a week is included in Waltham and Peabody; ReStore takes upholstered pieces that are not ripped, worn or dated (not sofa beds or slip-covered sofas)	$0-$50 (Medford $15, Lynn $20, Winchester $20, Melrose $50 regular sofa)Sources: city.waltham.ma.us, peabody-ma.gov, winchester.us, medfordma.org, lynnma.gov, cityofmelrose.org, habitatboston.org	$139 sofa, $69 chair, $89 loveseat, $189 sleeper	Guide →
TV / monitorBanned or restrictedCathode ray tubes (CRTs) are banned from disposal; flat screens are not on the state list but towns collect them as e-waste	Town e-waste drop-off or scheduled pickup	Saugus CHaRM Center takes TVs and CRT monitors free	Free-$42.85 (Melrose $20 drop-off or $30 curbside, Peabody $20, Stoneham $20, Winchester $10-$25 by size, Medford $42.85)Sources: mass.gov, saugus-ma.gov, winchester.us, stoneham-ma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org, peabody-ma.gov	$59 flat screen, $99 tube (CRT) TV	Guide →
Refrigerator / freezer / ACBanned or restrictedWhite goods are banned from disposal; refrigerant (Freon) must be recovered	Mass Save pickup for working units, town scheduled pickup, or transfer station	Mass Save: no-cost pickup plus a $75 rebate on a working, inefficient fridge or freezer (Eversource customers: pickup must happen by Dec 31, 2026; other utilities, check masssave.com); Boston collects up to 10 special items per year	$15-$30 (Winchester $15, Stoneham $20, Peabody $20, Saugus $20, Medford $27.85, Melrose $30; Boston lists no fee)Sources: mass.gov, masssave.com, eversource.com, boston.gov, winchester.us, stoneham-ma.gov, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org	$149 fridge or freezer, $79 mini fridge or window AC; Freon recovery included	Guide →
Washer / dryerBanned or restrictedWhite goods are banned from disposal	Scrap metal or town white-goods program; ReStore if working	ReStore lists washers and dryers under appliances less than eight years old, working	$10-$30 (Stoneham $10, Winchester $15, Peabody $20, Saugus $20, Medford $27.85, Melrose $30)Sources: mass.gov, habitatboston.org, stoneham-ma.gov, winchester.us, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org	$119 each	Guide →
PaintHazardous wasteDried latex paint can go in the trash; liquid and oil-based paint are household hazardous waste	Latex: dry it out, lid off, and trash it. Oil-based: town hazardous waste day	Dried latex in the trash is free (Reading, Melrose, Medford)	Free for dried latex; hazardous waste day fees vary (Lynn $43 up to 3 lb/gal, $55 up to 10, $85 up to 25)Sources: readingma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org, lynnma.gov	Not taken; hazardous waste is never on the truck	Guide →
Propane tankHazardous wasteHazardous; towns keep tanks out of the trash and send them to a drop-off or hazardous waste day	Town drop-off or hazardous waste day	Peabody's drop-off center accepts propane tanks; check your town	$5-$20 per tank where offered (Lynn $5 at the DPW, Melrose $8 and $20, Winchester $10 for 20 lb); Saugus's CHaRM Center does not take themSources: winchester.us, cityofmelrose.org, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, readingma.gov, lynnma.gov	Not taken	Guide →
TiresBanned or restrictedWhole tires are banned from landfills (shredded tires are allowed)	Tire shop, town recycling center, or hazardous waste day	Saugus CHaRM Center, $3 each; Boston Zero Waste Day takes up to 8 car tires per resident, no fee listed (Nov 21, 2026)	$3-$15 per tire (Saugus $3, Melrose $4, Winchester $15 for 18 in. or less; Boston no fee listed)Sources: mass.gov, saugus-ma.gov, cityofmelrose.org, winchester.us, boston.gov, peabody-ma.gov	No posted price; text a photo	Guide →
Hot tubNot bannedNo specific rule; metal and wood are on the state's landfill ban list	A crew that cuts it up and takes it to a C&D facility	Sell or give it away with the buyer hauling it	Not listed on any town page we readSources: mass.gov, mass.gov (2)	$629, cut up and hauled	Guide →
PianoNot bannedNot on the state ban list	A piano mover, a donation program that inspects first, or a hauler that breaks it down	Ask a piano mover or donation program; they usually inspect first	Not listed on any town page we readSources: mass.gov	No posted price; text a photo	Guide →
Carpet / rugsNot bannedNot on the state ban list; towns set the terms	Cut, rolled and tied as a bulky item; transfer station for large rugs	Peabody takes 4-ft lengths as the weekly bulk item at no charge	$0-$40 (Saugus $2, Winchester $10, Medford $15, Lynn $20, Melrose $40)Sources: mass.gov, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, winchester.us, medfordma.org, lynnma.gov, cityofmelrose.org, stoneham-ma.gov	By the load: $209 quarter trailer, $159 minimum	Guide →
Construction debrisBanned or restrictedBanned from disposal: asphalt, brick, concrete, metal, wood and clean drywall	Contractor, dumpster, or a C&D facility; Winchester's station takes it by the ton	Donate intact materials to ReStore	$260 per ton (Winchester, resident permit); the other towns we checked do not take itSources: mass.gov, winchester.us, readingma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, boston.gov, peabody-ma.gov, habitatboston.org	By the load: $209 quarter, $319 half, $409 three-quarter, $519 full trailer	Guide →

Mattress / box springBanned
Banned from disposal since Nov 1, 2022; a mattress and a box spring each count as one piece
Legal destination
Town mattress program, retailer haul-away with a new mattress, or a mattress recycler
Free or cheap
Retailer haul-away when a new mattress is delivered; donate only if clean and in good shape
Typical town fee
$20-$65 per piece (Bedford $20, Winchester $30, Reading $33 drop-off or $65 curbside, Wakefield $60, Melrose $40 drop-off or $65 curbside)Sources: mass.gov, mass.gov (2), winchester.us, readingma.gov, wakefieldma.gov, bedfordma.gov, cityofmelrose.org
JunkRun price
$89 twin, $99 full, $109 queen, $129 king; box springs $59-$99; recycling fee included
Guide
Guide →
Couch / sofaNot banned
Not banned; towns set bulky-item rules
Legal destination
Town bulky pickup, donation if clean, or transfer station
Free or cheap
One bulky item a week is included in Waltham and Peabody; ReStore takes upholstered pieces that are not ripped, worn or dated (not sofa beds or slip-covered sofas)
Typical town fee
$0-$50 (Medford $15, Lynn $20, Winchester $20, Melrose $50 regular sofa)Sources: city.waltham.ma.us, peabody-ma.gov, winchester.us, medfordma.org, lynnma.gov, cityofmelrose.org, habitatboston.org
JunkRun price
$139 sofa, $69 chair, $89 loveseat, $189 sleeper
Guide
Guide →
TV / monitorBanned
Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are banned from disposal; flat screens are not on the state list but towns collect them as e-waste
Legal destination
Town e-waste drop-off or scheduled pickup
Free or cheap
Saugus CHaRM Center takes TVs and CRT monitors free
Typical town fee
Free-$42.85 (Melrose $20 drop-off or $30 curbside, Peabody $20, Stoneham $20, Winchester $10-$25 by size, Medford $42.85)Sources: mass.gov, saugus-ma.gov, winchester.us, stoneham-ma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org, peabody-ma.gov
JunkRun price
$59 flat screen, $99 tube (CRT) TV
Guide
Guide →
Refrigerator / freezer / ACBanned
White goods are banned from disposal; refrigerant (Freon) must be recovered
Legal destination
Mass Save pickup for working units, town scheduled pickup, or transfer station
Free or cheap
Mass Save: no-cost pickup plus a $75 rebate on a working, inefficient fridge or freezer (Eversource customers: pickup must happen by Dec 31, 2026; other utilities, check masssave.com); Boston collects up to 10 special items per year
Typical town fee
$15-$30 (Winchester $15, Stoneham $20, Peabody $20, Saugus $20, Medford $27.85, Melrose $30; Boston lists no fee)Sources: mass.gov, masssave.com, eversource.com, boston.gov, winchester.us, stoneham-ma.gov, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org
JunkRun price
$149 fridge or freezer, $79 mini fridge or window AC; Freon recovery included
Guide
Guide →
Washer / dryerBanned
White goods are banned from disposal
Legal destination
Scrap metal or town white-goods program; ReStore if working
Free or cheap
ReStore lists washers and dryers under appliances less than eight years old, working
Typical town fee
$10-$30 (Stoneham $10, Winchester $15, Peabody $20, Saugus $20, Medford $27.85, Melrose $30)Sources: mass.gov, habitatboston.org, stoneham-ma.gov, winchester.us, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org
JunkRun price
$119 each
Guide
Guide →
PaintHazardous
Dried latex paint can go in the trash; liquid and oil-based paint are household hazardous waste
Legal destination
Latex: dry it out, lid off, and trash it. Oil-based: town hazardous waste day
Free or cheap
Dried latex in the trash is free (Reading, Melrose, Medford)
Typical town fee
Free for dried latex; hazardous waste day fees vary (Lynn $43 up to 3 lb/gal, $55 up to 10, $85 up to 25)Sources: readingma.gov, medfordma.org, cityofmelrose.org, lynnma.gov
JunkRun price
Not taken; hazardous waste is never on the truck
Guide
Guide →
Propane tankHazardous
Hazardous; towns keep tanks out of the trash and send them to a drop-off or hazardous waste day
Legal destination
Town drop-off or hazardous waste day
Free or cheap
Peabody's drop-off center accepts propane tanks; check your town
Typical town fee
$5-$20 per tank where offered (Lynn $5 at the DPW, Melrose $8 and $20, Winchester $10 for 20 lb); Saugus's CHaRM Center does not take themSources: winchester.us, cityofmelrose.org, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, readingma.gov, lynnma.gov
JunkRun price
Not taken
Guide
Guide →
TiresBanned
Whole tires are banned from landfills (shredded tires are allowed)
Legal destination
Tire shop, town recycling center, or hazardous waste day
Free or cheap
Saugus CHaRM Center, $3 each; Boston Zero Waste Day takes up to 8 car tires per resident, no fee listed (Nov 21, 2026)
Typical town fee
$3-$15 per tire (Saugus $3, Melrose $4, Winchester $15 for 18 in. or less; Boston no fee listed)Sources: mass.gov, saugus-ma.gov, cityofmelrose.org, winchester.us, boston.gov, peabody-ma.gov
JunkRun price
No posted price; text a photo
Guide
Guide →
Hot tubNot banned
No specific rule; metal and wood are on the state's landfill ban list
Legal destination
A crew that cuts it up and takes it to a C&D facility
Free or cheap
Sell or give it away with the buyer hauling it
Typical town fee
Not listed on any town page we readSources: mass.gov, mass.gov (2)
JunkRun price
$629, cut up and hauled
Guide
Guide →
PianoNot banned
Not on the state ban list
Legal destination
A piano mover, a donation program that inspects first, or a hauler that breaks it down
Free or cheap
Ask a piano mover or donation program; they usually inspect first
Typical town fee
Not listed on any town page we readSources: mass.gov
JunkRun price
No posted price; text a photo
Guide
Guide →
Carpet / rugsNot banned
Not on the state ban list; towns set the terms
Legal destination
Cut, rolled and tied as a bulky item; transfer station for large rugs
Free or cheap
Peabody takes 4-ft lengths as the weekly bulk item at no charge
Typical town fee
$0-$40 (Saugus $2, Winchester $10, Medford $15, Lynn $20, Melrose $40)Sources: mass.gov, peabody-ma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, winchester.us, medfordma.org, lynnma.gov, cityofmelrose.org, stoneham-ma.gov
JunkRun price
By the load: $209 quarter trailer, $159 minimum
Guide
Guide →
Construction debrisBanned
Banned from disposal: asphalt, brick, concrete, metal, wood and clean drywall
Legal destination
Contractor, dumpster, or a C&D facility; Winchester's station takes it by the ton
Free or cheap
Donate intact materials to ReStore
Typical town fee
$260 per ton (Winchester, resident permit); the other towns we checked do not take itSources: mass.gov, winchester.us, readingma.gov, saugus-ma.gov, boston.gov, peabody-ma.gov, habitatboston.org
JunkRun price
By the load: $209 quarter, $319 half, $409 three-quarter, $519 full trailer
Guide
Guide →

Deadline for the Eversource fridge rebate: December 31, 2026. The free fridge or freezer pickup and $75 rebate need the pickup to happen by then, so book now and allow 6 to 8 weeks for the check (Eversource). The 2027 offer is not posted yet.

The printable Where does it go? chart: 12 household items with the Massachusetts rule, legal destination, cheap option, typical town fee and JunkRun's price. — Printable chart
The same table on one page, for the fridge door or the garage wall.
PDF: two letter pages, landscape. Checked November 2026.
Download PDF Download PNG

Every item guide (14)

How the Massachusetts waste bans work

MassDEP bans a list of materials from disposal. The list is in Section 19.017 of the state's solid waste regulations, and the bans can be found in 310 CMR 19.000. Under MassDEP's list of materials banned from disposal you will find asphalt pavement, brick and concrete; cathode ray tubes; clean gypsum wallboard; commercial food material; glass, metal and plastic containers; lead acid batteries; leaves and yard waste; mattresses; ferrous and non-ferrous metals; recyclable paper, cardboard and paperboard; textiles; whole tires; white goods; and wood.

Who the bans apply to, and what about paint and propane

The bans apply to the facilities that take waste, and to the people who carry it there: both the organizations that generate solid waste and those that transport it to disposal facilities are responsible for complying. In practice that means a banned item left at the curb can be refused, and a transfer station will send it to a separate bin or turn it away. Mattresses and textiles joined the list late: the ban on mattresses and textiles took effect on November 1, 2022.

Banned does not mean unwanted. It means the material has to be reused or recycled instead of buried or burned, which is why towns run mattress programs, appliance fees and leaf sites.

Paint, propane, pesticides, motor oil and similar products are a separate category. MassDEP says household hazardous products don't belong in your recycling bin, in the trash, or down the drain. They go to a town collection day or a permanent drop-off, and a junk hauler cannot take them.

The full waste ban guide →

The order to try, for any item

1. Free
Donate or sell it if it works. Ask the seller to take the old one when a new one is delivered. Use your town's bulky-item pickup or its free collection days.
2. Low cost
Transfer station fees, a mattress or appliance program, a tire or electronics drop-off, a scrap yard. Usually a few dollars to a few tens of dollars per item, and residents only.
3. Hauled
One flat price, carried out from any floor, taken away the same week or same day. Worth it when there is more than one item, stairs, or no time.

Town by town

Pickup guides, 2026-27

Holiday delays, bulky fees, drop-off hours, leaf and tree pickup and hazardous waste day. Each guide opens with the dates coming up, and every fact links the town's own page.

Dates the towns have already posted

Waltham Minuteman hazardous waste day Sunday November 15, 2026; register first. city.waltham.ma.us
Boston Zero Waste Day Saturday November 21, 2026, 8:30 am to noon, 315 Gardner St, West Roxbury (moved from September 26). boston.gov
Lynn Christmas trees January 4 to 8, 2027, on your trash day. Lynn DPW calendar
Medford paint shed Saturday May 8, 2027, 9 am to noon, City Yard, 21 James St. Medford 2026-27 guide
Lynn hazardous waste day Saturday May 15, 2027, 8 am to noon, 250 Commercial St. Lynn DPW calendar
Lynn spring leaf weeks of April 5 and May 17, 2027, on your trash day. Lynn DPW calendar
Lynn Bulky Item Days April 17 and June 12, 2027, Reworld, 247 Commercial St. Lynn DPW calendar
Medford spring leaf and yard waste March 29 to June 30, 2027 (the week opposite your recycling week). Medford 2026-27 guide

Each line drops off once its day has passed. The town guides have the rest.

Every town we serve

What your town does

Fees, permits and pickup days are set town by town. Open your area, then your town for its bulky-item page, dump page, pickup guide and item pages.

Guides that cover every town

Quick answers

What can't I put in the trash in Massachusetts?

MassDEP bans asphalt, brick and concrete; cathode ray tubes; clean gypsum wallboard; commercial food material; glass, metal and plastic containers; lead acid batteries; leaves and yard waste; mattresses; metals; recyclable paper and cardboard; textiles; whole tires; white goods (large appliances); and wood from disposal. Household hazardous products such as liquid paint and propane tanks are not trash either.

What is the cheapest way to get rid of bulky items?

Free options come first: donate or sell it, ask the seller to take the old one when a new one is delivered, or use your town's bulky-item pickup. Next are transfer station fees and recycling programs. Hauling is the fastest option, and the only one that carries it out for you.

Does JunkRun take hazardous waste like paint or propane?

No. We do not take paint, solvents, propane tanks or other hazardous waste. We take furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronics, yard waste, renovation debris and full cleanouts.

How much does JunkRun cost?

One flat price, quoted from a photo before we arrive, with a minimum pickup. Every item price is on our pricing page.

Sources

Checked November 2026. Town facts on the item pages carry their own source links and check dates.

The 19 state sources, each with the line we quote

MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “The MassDEP waste disposal bans can be found in Section 19.017 of the agency's Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations at 310 CMR 19.000.”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Materials Currently Banned from Disposal or Transfer for Disposal in Massachusetts”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Asphalt pavement, brick and concrete”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Cathode ray tubes”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Clean gypsum wallboard”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Commercial food material”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Glass, metal, and plastic containers (bottles, cans, jars, jugs and tubs)”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Lead acid batteries”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Leaves and yard waste”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Mattresses (effective November 1, 2022)”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Ferrous and non-ferrous metals”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Recyclable paper, cardboard and paperboard”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Textiles (effective November 1, 2022)”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Whole tires (banned from landfills only; shredded tires acceptable)”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “White goods (large appliances)”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Treated and untreated wood and wood waste (banned from landfills only)”
MassDEP: Waste disposal bans: “Both organizations that generate solid waste and those that transport it to disposal facilities are responsible for complying with the Massachusetts waste bans.”
MassDEP: Mattress and textile waste ban FAQ: “ban mattresses and textiles took effect on November 1, 2022”
Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle: “These items don't belong in your recycling bin, in the trash, or down the drain.”