MMA hosts a webinar covering the state and local impacts of upcoming bans on disposal of mattresses, box springs and textiles, and the lower thresholds for food waste. Pictured are (clockwise from top left) Newton Sustainable Materials Management Director Waneta Trabert, Deputy Division Director of Solid Waste at the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection John Fischer, Danvers Public Works Director David Lane, Rep. Michelle Ciccolo and MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman.

An MMA webinar on Oct. 17 covered the state and local impacts of upcoming bans on disposal of mattresses, box springs and textiles, and the lower thresholds for food waste.

Effective Nov. 1, these items will be added to the list of highly recyclable, compostable, bulky or toxic materials that must be diverted from traditional waste streams due to waste disposal bans.

During the “Mattress Recycling and Solid Waste Solutions” webinar, John Fischer, deputy division director of solid waste at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, provided an overview of the new bans, as well as outreach and education efforts, and resources for municipalities who are seeking to bolster their programs to comply.

Danvers Public Works Director David Lane reviewed his town’s mattress recycling options, explained why curbside collection was the best approach for Danvers, and discussed how the Danvers DPW is educating residents about the new program.

Waneta Trabert, sustainable materials management director in Newton, discussed the city’s new mattress recycling program, which will launch on Nov. 1. Trabert said extended producer responsibility for mattresses may be a solution to municipal concerns about funding new recycling programs without further state assistance.

Rep. Michelle Ciccolo, House chair of the Legislature’s Zero Waste Caucus, talked about the caucus’s efforts on mattress recycling, and discussed legislative priorities related to solid waste for the recently concluded legislative session as well as the next one.

Panelists also responded to a number of questions about outreach and education, storage, and management of soiled, unacceptable mattresses.

2030 Solid Waste Master Plan and Waste Ban Regulations – MassDEP (870K PDF)
Mattress Recycling Program – town of Danvers (235K PDF)
Presentation by Rep. Michelle Ciccolo (2.3M PDF)
Mattress Recycling and Solid Waste Solutions – city of Newton (175K PDF)

 

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