State & Local Waste Bans

Waste Bans

Waste bans are restrictions on the disposal and transfer for disposal of certain hazardous and recyclable items at solid waste facilities in Massachusetts. The waste bans are a state regulation that began in 1990 and are located in the state’s solid waste facility management regulations, 310 CMR 19.017.

It is illegal to throw out the banned commodities listed below:

• Cathode Ray Tubes: Any intact, broken or processed glass tube used to provide the visual display in televisions, computer monitors and certain scientific instruments.
• Glass Containers: Glass bottles and jars. Except light bulbs, Pyrex cookware, plate glass, drinking glasses, windows, windshields and ceramics.
• Leaves and Yard Waste: Leaves, grass clippings, weeds, garden materials, shrub trimmings, and brush one inch or less in diameter. Excluding diseased plants.
• Metal Containers: Aluminum, steel or bi-metal beverage and food containers.
• Recyclable Paper: All paper, cardboard, and paperboard products. Except tissue paper, toweling, paper plates and cups, wax-coated cardboard and other low-grade paper products.
• Single Resin Narrow-Necked Plastics: Including most plastic soda and juice bottles.
• White Goods: Appliances employing electricity, oil, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. These include refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, gas or electric ovens and ranges, and hot water heaters.
• Whole Tires: Motor vehicle tires of all types are banned from land fills. Incinerators and transfer stations can accept whole tires. Shredded tires are not restricted.
• Mattresses;  Any resilient material or combination of materials that is enclosed by ticking, used alone or in a combination with other products, and that is intended for sleeping upon.   Mattresses include any foundation or box spring. 
• Textiles: bedding, clothing, curtains, fabric, footwear, towels, and similar items that can be reused, repurposed, or recycled if clean and dry.