Does the textile waste ban seem like it is going to be a nightmare to anyone else?

Submitted by lufecaep t3_yjzn2r in massachusetts

Here’s what you need to know about the textile and mattress waste ban that goes into effect Nov. 1

I already donate what I can but it is getting harder and harder to find a place to do so. Probably because the donation locations are becoming such an eye sore that nobody wants one on their property. They are always surrounded by non-textile junk. Also might explain why more and more people seem to be dumping their waste in the dumpsters at my condo.

65

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Own-Suit5786 t1_iuqrqmn wrote

Oh my lord this has been one of my biggest beefs lately. I don’t have a car or know someone with a large truck. My town’s website has had hilariously contradictory information about how to get a sticker for the dump and what, I’m going to slap it in a UHaul?

So for large items I’ve got an estimate from 1-800-GOT-JUNK, and then just offered a random local on Nextdoor who does odd jobs to take the items for the same price, then tip a bit. But now they probably will run into the same crap.

I foresee a lot of barely tied to a Civic box springs being discarded at your condo or on Rte 1 or something.

And sorry if I’m being stupid, I don’t understand how you can make it harder for the citizens without a solution. Some informercial jerks is not a solution.

59

Tacoman404 t1_iuqrqt0 wrote

Why don’t you go to an actual donation center instead of those bins in parking lots? Somewhere like Savers or Goodwill.

0

Own-Suit5786 t1_iuqtcoy wrote

Replying to Own-Suit5786 (#425,181)

To be clear this is hundred percent related to mattresses and box springs. The textiles will not be noticed, and if someone else uses a towel once I am good. I’ll air dry. That’s narsty

0

Own-Suit5786 t1_iuqu4o4 wrote

“More than 600,000 mattresses and box springs are thrown away each year in Massachusetts“

So we’re gonna do nothing by making it illegal? I feel like we got half the story.

And is there some govt agency you’re supposed to call and say “this mattress is unclean?” They’re nasty on day one

23

Coggs362 t1_iuquj2k wrote

Personally, not so much a nightmare since I tend to avoid synthetic fabrics, but I guess for fans of fast fashion, it might be. My kids clothes tend to get given away once they outgrow them.

1

lufecaep OP t1_iuquoqy wrote

Replying to Tacoman404 (#425,182)

Those are fewer and further between so it really doesn't address the issue. I don't have either of those near me. And the homeless shelter I used to donate at replaced their box with one of the yellow ones.

6

RickyDontLoseThat t1_iuqwc2v wrote

We'll just go back to tossing them in the backyard burn pit like our grandfathers did.

7

keegan1015 t1_iuqwn43 wrote

So now we’re going to see mattresses left on streets, The smaller stuff will be ignored and still put out with household trash.

8

BF1shY t1_iuqws6e wrote

The article said if textiles and mattress has bodily fluids or chemicals on it you can still toss it so just piss all over it or throw oil, paint, or other harmful liquids on it 🙃

48

legitcopp3rmerchant t1_iuqybki wrote

Replying to Own-Suit5786 (#425,181)

100% there is going to be more waste dumped on back roads and other spots. My towns transfer station is only open 2 days a week for like 4 hours. They posted a note that they will not be taking mattresses but the transfer station 3 towns away will take it if you have a sticker. Like what the fuck. Its a good idea but there is no logistics to support it.

32

Cheap_Coffee t1_iuqypy8 wrote

The textile waste ban will have all the meaning that the hand-held mobile phone while driving ban has.

None.

10

DrOblivion5550 t1_iuqz46i wrote

The rules are being applied to companies and not individuals which I think reveals a lot about the State. WRT bedding I never had a problem since most times when you buy one the company will haul the old bedding away. And when I needed to get rid of extra mattresses it never fit in my garbage can and I needed to deal with the trash company in our town.

But shoes? Clothes? Old towels? I can put them in the garbage can and stick the problem to the disposal company. Personally I think a lot of "recycling" is pretty bogus. I heard only 0 and 1 plastics are really recycled and the rest go into the trash stream. Unless and until the state/states get together and solve the waste stream problems this is all crap!

5

Own-Suit5786 t1_iur136q wrote

Replying to legitcopp3rmerchant (#425,532)

I asked my landlords if they would have a dumpster, and they said no that is not appropriate. Then they cleared out an apartment and had a dumpster here for a month. They didn’t notice and I got rid of my garbage

7

TywinShitsGold t1_iur4m4b wrote

Replying to Tacoman404 (#425,182)

So now all my old clothes have to get dumped on the doorstep of the nearest goodwill? Cuz if they’re not “accepting” donations they’re getting it anyway.

And they can figure out how to ship it up to their warehouse in NH/CT just to throw it in their dumpster anyway.

I’m glad my apartment complex has dumpsters.

0

marmosetohmarmoset t1_iur5li9 wrote

From my understanding the law is mainly meant to go after big companies that trash a LOT of textiles. The recycling police aren’t going to go through your trash and throw you in jail if they find some old socks in there or anything.

For big things like mattresses, are you sure your town doesn’t have an organized pickup option?

11

dpceee t1_iur68tk wrote

If it's covered in oil or bodily fluids, it'd exempt. Draw your own conclusions

1

PakkyT t1_iur8p7y wrote

Replying to Tacoman404 (#425,182)

Probably for most people those places are out of the way and some distance to get to. Where as every town has a scattering of those donation bins in and around the places you normally are going to be on a daily basis, so easier to just take the bag to the bin in the parking lot at the grocery store..

1

Mermaid_La_Reine t1_iur90f7 wrote

Replying to Own-Suit5786 (#425,181)

It’s Massachusetts, so therefore the game is like this: YOU pay to get rid of ‘it’. ‘It’ goes to someone who will then break it down and resell the components. YOU will then buy the product. THEY profit.

(See also: depositing leaves, and paying for the mulch.)🤦‍♀️

0

tenderooskies t1_iur9yqh wrote

Replying to TywinShitsGold (#425,939)

  1. you should donate your old clothes anyway? people may need them - and there are a ton of places to do so

  2. this is targeted at large companies / organizations that toss mattresses / textiles rather than recycling

1

chavery17 t1_iurgfgj wrote

Just another silly Massachusetts money grab. Add it to the list

1

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_iurkv6e wrote

I think that we're going to be putting a burden on the yellow bins and second hand collections because that's the logical place to dump your old clothing, towels, sheets, etc.

Mattresses should not be an issue. How often do people replace those? Still, it can cause a burden when people have no way of disposing of a mattress, especially if they can't transport it to an appropriate facility.

1

RevengencerAlf t1_iurqo7v wrote

It's an absolute dogshit ban that is looking for a problem to solve and making it worse in the process.

Most of our textile "donations" already just go towards fucking up the economies of developing countries, and donating additional lower-quality crap that people would have thrown away before will make this even worse.

Aside from that, you can just intentionally soil any product you want to discard and not be breaking the law. But I'm sure for people that doesn't occur to we'll just see more dumping of mattresses and stuff in vacant lots.

2

rjoker103 t1_iuruj7k wrote

Which used mattress doesn’t have some sort of bodily fluids on it??

2

mikemerriman t1_iurw2g1 wrote

I don't understand how used mattresses aren't "contaminated by bodily fluids" and therefore able to be disposed.

2

mikemerriman t1_iurxmhl wrote

Replying to SouthShoreSerenade (#425,945)

unfortunately many cities are not interpreting it that way - this from Salem MA: Per new state regulations, mattresses and box springs can no longer be disposed of as trash and instead must be recycled. The City of Salem has contracted with Tough Stuff Recycling to provide curbside mattress and box spring recycling. While there is currently no charge for this service for Salem residents, the City is evaluating fee options and this may change later in 2022.
To view an FAQ about mattress recycling through Tough Stuff Recycling, please visit www.salemma.gov/mattress. To schedule your curbside pick-up, please visit https://order.toughstuffrecycling.com. If you have additional questions about this service, please call the City’s Recycling and Trash Department at 978-619-5672.

8

mikemerriman t1_iury3bi wrote

Replying to BF1shY (#426,518)

incorrect - if you read the actual state law it included soiled mattresses:

Mattress means any resilient material or combination of materials that is enclosed by ticking, used alone or in combination with other products, that is intended for sleeping upon, except for mattresses that are contaminated with mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances. Mattress includes any foundation or box-spring. Mattress does not include any mattress pad, mattress topper, sleeping bag, pillow, car bed, carriage, basket, dressing table, stroller, playpen, infant carrier, lounge pad, crib bumper, liquid or gaseous filled ticking, including any water bed and any air mattress that does not contain upholstery material between the ticking and the mattress core, and mattresses in futons and sofa beds.

2

ShadowGLI t1_iurzjgb wrote

Replying to lufecaep (#425,499)

This law was made for manufacturers and retailers who have been literally just throwing out unused clothes and mattresses rather than donating them, because God forbid someone benefit from the products without paying the money.

It’s like the boutique store MO where something goes out of season and they would never send it to Marshall so they have to destroy it instead

4

mikemerriman t1_ius1xjg wrote

Replying to tenderooskies (#427,934)

"The new regulations will ban the disposal of mattresses and textiles in the trash, as well as decrease food waste from businesses and institutions. " only about food waste for businesses

1

mikemerriman t1_ius22o3 wrote

Replying to tenderooskies (#427,934)

Salem, Massachusetts - City Government

22h ·

Per new state regulations, mattresses and box springs can no longer be disposed of as trash and instead must be recycled. The City of Salem has contracted with Tough Stuff Recycling to provide curbside mattress and box spring recycling. While there is currently no charge for this service for Salem residents, the City is evaluating fee options and this may change later in 2022.

To view an FAQ about mattress recycling through Tough Stuff Recycling, please visit www.salemma.gov/mattress. To schedule your curbside pick-up, please visit https://order.toughstuffrecycling.com. If you have additional questions about this service, please call the City’s Recycling and Trash Department at 978-619-5672.

1

Hilarias_Glucose_Cup t1_ius2sne wrote

I'll probably take a saws all and cut my old mattress into quarters and bring it to the local dump or slowly cut pieces out, shove them in a trash bag and hope no one notices when i dump the bag in my trash. Could probably get a mattress fully thrown out in 5or 6 weeks by cutting it up and spreading it across two barrels.

3

legalpretzel t1_ius352c wrote

Replying to mikemerriman (#427,768)

Mattresses are apparently still accepted at the bulk waste drop off in Worcester (but our city’s government has never really been at the forefront of change). Residents have to have a way to get it there though because the city doesn’t offer any pick up options for bulk waste that don’t cost $$$.

Creative folks seem to have found a solution - they just dump them in random spots all around the city - it’s free and you don’t even have to be Worcester resident!

3

legalpretzel t1_ius3s7r wrote

Replying to EnoughIdeas (#426,415)

Worcester has been a dumping grounds for years because of the city’s insistence that residents transport their bulk waste to the drop off center and also pay a fee for each item.

1

Maronita2020 t1_ius6m5c wrote

I thought that they were at every public school! No?

1

ErkMcGurk t1_ius8jyv wrote

Replying to Hilarias_Glucose_Cup (#428,099)

This seems to be the thing to do now. In Watertown, it now costs $46 to recycle a mattress, but if it's too dirty to be sold to someone else, it costs $81. If somebody takes the mattress from your curb before the recycling people come, the recycling people only charge you $25.

2

Hilarias_Glucose_Cup t1_ius92yr wrote

Replying to ErkMcGurk (#428,507)

It is going to come down to time and convenience for a lot of people. It is a toss up to me whether I sneak it in my trash or if i'd rather deal with the 20 minute ride to the dump, waiting in line behind a bunch of contractors dumping their trash so i can get yelled at by the guy directing cars at the trash center, and then get in line to pay however much it cost to dump it.

If I do the cut it up at home and sneak it in the trash, it may take some time but I'm not dealing with the hassle of the trash place and I can do it at my own pace.

1

sjwilkinson t1_iutbhhs wrote

I live in Shrewsbury and it has been illegal to put mattresses in the trash for years now. We pay a separate pickup fee like we do for couches and chairs, large items.

2

HeartrendingExpress t1_iutzf2b wrote

I've been making cleaning rags, cutting up my old shirts in to squares, use them as rags to clean my car and bicycle, then throw the dirty rags away.

1