Mattresses (11/2022)
Mattresses and box spring are now banned from disposal in MA because they are made up largely of recyclable materials (more than 75 percent of their components can be reused).
Tip: Take advantage of retailer haul-away. Most furniture and mattress sellers accept old mattresses for recycling and disposal when they deliver newly purchased mattresses to your home.
RTS
Needham residents with an RTS sticker may drop off mattresses for a fee of $20 each. The Town partners with UTEC, a program in Lawrence that works with young adults to teach them the skills of mattress recycling.
Usable Mattress Donations
NEW LIFE FURNITURE BANK OF MA
102 Elm St., Walpole, MA
Working through referring agencies, New Life provides household furnishings at no cost to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. They accept gently used furniture that will fit in a small apartment and can be moved upstairs without an elevator, as well as certain household items and electronics. They accept Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen (not King) Mattress and Box Springs. To access their donation guidelines for furniture and various types of household items, click on the donation category in the left column.
See their drop-off guidelines. For furniture pick-ups, see their pick-up guidelines. (Please note: Nov. 2022 — a notice appears on their website: “Due to overwhelming demand and the labor shortage, New Life is pausing scheduling standard pickups. Existing pickup requests will be contacted as soon as possible. Please consider using our priority pickup service with our moving partner.)
530 Main St. Acton MA 978 635-1710
Household Goods provides a full range of good quality donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to 2,500 families in need each year. They accept standard-sized mattresses in good shape, with no stains or rips. Please check guidelines. Check their website for specific drop-off hours. They also offer limited pick-up.
SALVATION ARMY
Call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825) to discuss a free pick up of your clothing, furniture or household items or to find out the nearest drop-off bin location. See details. Single and double mattresses are listed on their Donation Value Guide. Smaller items may be dropped off at a store but please call ahead. Find a drop off bin location.
Medical Waste and unwanted medications (11/2022)
RTS
Medical “sharps” include hypodermic needles, syringes, and lancets. It is now illegal to dispose of needles, syringes, or lancets in the regular trash. See the RTS website for information about disposing of medical sharps at the RTS or other locations.
DRUG TAKE BACK PROGRAMS
Information from the RTS website: Do not dispose of unwanted medication down a drain or toilet. Unwanted medications may be safely disposed of in Needham’s yellow trash bags. They may also be taken to Needham’s police department 24/7 for safe disposal. A drug take-back program is offered in the spring and fall sponsored by the Needham Police Department and the Public Health Department’s Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse. Contact the Police Department or Public Health Department for dates and details.
Metal, scrap and metal cans (11/2022)
RTS
Needham residents with an RTS sticker may place clean metal cans and lids (tin/steel/aluminum, empty aerosol), as well as aluminum pie plates, trays, and foil in the co-mingle bin (Glass, Metal & Plastic Household Product Containers) at the Main Drop-Off area.
Scrap metal: Any metal item that is more than 75% metal may be left at the metal scrap area in the North Area. This includes: Electrical cords and cables (including Christmas tree light strings), metal desks, file cabinets, wire hangers, bikes, aluminum doors and window frames, other metal pieces; yard and garden equipment (gasoline and oil must be removed from lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.) See details.
Milk Cartons (11/2022)
Milk and juice cartons, juice boxes, and aseptic cartons are no longer recyclable at the Needham RTS. See also RecycleSmartMA.
Motor Oil (11/2022)
RTS
Needham residents with an RTS sticker may drop off used motor oil for recycling. See map.
Point of Purchase Return
Recycle used oil by returning it to the point of purchase with your receipt. Retailers are required to accept it and recycle it. Also, some quick oil change chains accept used oil. If you have questions, call MassDEP Used Oil Hotline at 617-556-1022.
Musical Instruments (11/2022)
Check with your local school district or area music organizations such as the Boston Youth Symphony or the Community Music Center of Boston.
BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER FOUNDATION
508-466-4590
They take musical instruments (no pianos or organs), clothing, and some household items. List of acceptable items. Schedule a pick-up.
MUSIC GO ROUND
508-647-6874 810 Worcester Street, Natick MA
They buy, refurbish, and sell used musical instruments and accessories.
SAVERS
(617) 323-9213, 1230 VFW Pkwy. West Roxbury, MA
Savers is also a donation location for the EPILEPSY FOUNDATION, which accepts musical instruments. Savers also accepts donations of house wares, CDs, DVDs, tapes, vinyl records, as well as clothing, sports equipment, and other items for reuse. For more information click here.
