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Cambridge mattress pickup and recycling: the $45 UTEC fee, booking and other options

Mattresses can't go in the trash in Massachusetts, and Cambridge's collection runs through its contractor UTEC, which now charges $45 per mattress or box spring. Here's how to book it, what gets refused, and what to do if the City pickup doesn't fit.

Last verified 2026-10-24

Does the City of Cambridge pick up mattresses?Yes, curbside, through its contractor UTEC. You book online at utecinc.org/mattress-recycling and pay $45 per mattress and $45 per box spring.
How much does Cambridge mattress disposal cost?$45 per item, so a mattress and box spring together cost $90. UTEC offers a $5 discount for financial hardship; call 978-856-3997.
Is Cambridge mattress pickup free?Not anymore. The City's mattress page, updated July 20, 2026, lists a $45 fee per mattress and box spring. An older City large-item page still calls it free.
Can I put a mattress out with the trash in Cambridge?No. Mattresses and box springs have been banned from trash disposal in Massachusetts since November 1, 2022, and Cambridge's trash rules ban them too.
Where can I drop off a mattress near Cambridge?The City says there are no drop-off locations in Cambridge. It lists Furnishing Hope in Acton (stain-free only), UTEC in Haverhill and HandUp in New Bedford; contact them first.

Step 1: book with UTEC and pay $45 per item

Schedule online at utecinc.org/mattress-recycling and choose Cambridge. The fee is $45 for each mattress and each box spring, and the City says to book in advance because slots fill up quickly. UTEC says Cambridge pickups happen weekly and limits residential pickups to 8 pieces. If your building has more than 12 units, the City says to ask your property manager first, because your building may have a different procedure.

Step 2: put it at the curb by 7 a.m.

Place the mattress or box spring at the curb in front of your address by 7 a.m. on your collection day, and not before 6 p.m. the night before. You don't need to be home; the crew picks up before 3 p.m. and isn't allowed onto private property. The City suggests attaching a note with "UTEC", your order number and the pickup date so the crew takes your item and not a neighbor's.

Moving out before your pickup date

The City says you still have to arrange for the item to go to the curb after 6 p.m. the night before your scheduled pickup, and its reuse page suggests coordinating with your property manager. To cancel, UTEC says to email at least 24 hours before the pickup date for a full refund; if the crew arrives and the mattress is gone, you're still charged.

What UTEC won't take

Excessively torn, punctured, soiled or moldy items, anything infested or previously infested with bed bugs or other pests, futons, mattress pads and toppers, infant sleeping pads, and air or water beds are refused. UTEC also won't pick up couches, bed frames or appliances. For these, the City says to email DPW at recycle@cambridgema.gov.

Paid haulers that take more

Mattress Pro Recycling lists $125 per mattress, $100 per box spring and $50 per topper, and says it serves Cambridge and takes futons. Marvin Junk Removal's Cambridge page lists mattress disposal from $180 and says it carries items out from any floor. LoadUp lists mattress removal from $85. All three are paid services; confirm the final price when you book.

Drop-off and donation

The City says there are no drop-off locations in Cambridge. HandUp in New Bedford takes drop-offs for $35 or $40 per piece depending on the location, and UTEC's FAQ lists a $30-per-unit drop-off by emailed appointment. The City lists UTEC's drop-off in Haverhill, while UTEC's FAQ mentions its facility in Lawrence, so confirm the address when you email. Furnishing Hope (Acton drop-off) and Household Goods (Acton) only take clean mattresses with no stains or rips, and UTEC itself isn't accepting donated mattresses right now. ReSupply runs paid in-home pickups that include mattresses.

Selling or giving it away

The City suggests Facebook Marketplace, the Buy Nothing Cambridge group on Facebook, and Craigslist for a mattress someone else can still use.

Options

city bulk pickup

City of Cambridge mattress & box spring recycling (UTEC, $45 per item)

Takes
  • Most mattresses
  • Box springs
Not accepted
  • Excessively torn, punctured, soiled or moldy items
  • Items infested (or previously infested) with bed bugs or other pests
  • Futons, mattress pads and toppers
  • Infant sleeping pads, air beds and water beds
  • Couches, bed frames, appliances and other furniture or textiles
Condition rules
Schedule online with UTEC, the City's contractor, and schedule early because the City says slots fill up quickly. Put items at the curb in front of your address by 7 a.m. on collection day, and not before 6 p.m. the night before. The City suggests taping a note with "UTEC", your order number and pickup date to each item. UTEC's limit is 8 pieces per pickup. To cancel for a full refund, UTEC says to email at least 24 hours before the pickup date; a no-show item is still charged.
Stairs / inside pickup
No. Curbside only; the crew is prohibited from coming onto private property.
Lead time / hours
UTEC says Cambridge curbside pickups happen weekly and online requests can be made at any time. The crew picks up before 3 p.m. on your date. Exact wait not stated.
Cost
$45 per mattress and $45 per box spring (City mattress page, updated July 20, 2026). A $5 discount is available for financial hardship; call UTEC at 978-856-3997.
Service area
Cambridge residents. If your building has more than 12 units, the City says to ask your property manager first, because your building may have a different procedure.
How to book
Website / booking · 978-856-3997 (UTEC) · mattress-recycling@utecinc.org (problems: copy recycle@cambridgema.gov)
Notes
The City's separate large-item page still says mattress collection is free; the City's dedicated mattress page, updated more recently (July 20, 2026), lists the $45 fee. Massachusetts has banned mattresses from the trash since November 1, 2022.
Sources
[1] [2] · last verified 2026-10-24
furniture bank

Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts

Takes
  • Mattresses & box springs
  • Beds
  • Dressers, night tables & armoires
  • Sofas & upholstered chairs
  • Coffee & end tables
  • TV stands & entertainment centers
  • Kitchen/dining tables & chairs
  • Buffets, hutches, bookcases, cabinets
Condition rules
New or gently used, clean, complete, and in good working condition. No stains, odors, or pet hair, major wear and tear, or anything needing repair. Send photos before scheduling.
Stairs / inside pickup
Pickup is handled by professional movers. Whether they go inside or upstairs is not stated, so check with them.
Lead time / hours
Home goods can be dropped off at the Harvard Square office Monday to Friday by appointment (email the Outreach Coordinator). Furniture drop-off is in Acton on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pickup timing: not stated.
Cost
No pickup fee, but they request a tax-deductible donation, suggested at $250 to $400 depending on the size of the donation. Pickup requires at least six substantial furniture items.
Service area
Office at 131 Mount Auburn Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Pickup area not stated, check with them. The City of Cambridge's mattress page lists Furnishing Hope as a paid option that needs six substantial pieces of furniture plus the mattress for pickup.
Address
131 Mount Auburn Street, Level B, Cambridge, MA 02138
How to book
Website / booking · (857) 229-7528 · info@furnishinghopema.org
Notes
Email info@furnishinghopema.org with photos, your pickup address and the date the furniture must be gone. Home goods drop-off: outreachcoordinator@furnishinghopema.org.
Sources
[1] [2] · last verified 2026-10-24
furniture bank

Household Goods (Acton)

Takes
  • Standard-size mattresses & box springs
  • Bed frames (all parts) & bunk beds
  • Dressers & armoires
  • Couches, sofa beds & futons
  • Chairs (no office chairs)
  • Kitchen, dining, end & coffee tables
  • Refrigerators, washers, electric dryers (newer than 10 years)
  • Air conditioners up to 18" x 30" x 24" (newer than 10 years)
  • Flat-screen TVs under 55" (less than 10 years old)
Not accepted
  • Mattresses with any stains or rips
  • Office furniture, desks, file cabinets
  • Glass-top items
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Oversized or wall-mounted items
Condition rules
Clean, complete, and in good working condition; nothing broken, chipped, torn, stained, or recalled.
Stairs / inside pickup
Volunteer pickup asks that items be in a garage or on the first floor if possible.
Lead time / hours
Drop-off Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteer pickups typically scheduled 4+ weeks ahead. Paid pickups through ReSupply or ReMARKable Donations in as soon as 2 business days.
Cost
Drop-off: not stated. Volunteer pickup: minimum $35 donation requested. Paid pickups (ReSupply / ReMARKable Donations): for a fee.
Service area
Volunteer pickup only in Acton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury and Westford, so not Cambridge. Cambridge donors can drop off in Acton or use the paid pickup partners (ReSupply or Mark's Moving/ReMARKable Donations).
Address
530 Main Street, Acton, MA
How to book
Website / booking · 978-763-1198
Sources
[1] [2] · last verified 2026-10-24
paid hauler

ReSupply donation pickup (Boston area)

Takes
  • Furniture (tables, dressers, bed frames, bookcases, etc.)
  • Couches, sectionals, recliners, futons
  • Mattresses
  • Appliances
  • Clothing, boxes & bags
  • Office furniture
Condition rules
Items should be clean, sturdy, complete, and usable (no broken frames, missing parts, or pet damage). Items the charity can't accept may carry a recycling fee, charged in $10 increments.
Stairs / inside pickup
Yes. Furniture teams collect from inside your home, including upper floors of walk-ups and triple-deckers. Disassembly is available; additional fees may apply.
Lead time / hours
Priority donation pickups within 24 hours (per ReSupply's Boston page).
Cost
Paid service. Starting at $19, $49 and $99 depending on the pickup (bags and boxes up to bulky furniture), plus a separate booking fee that is non-refundable unless ReSupply can't complete the pickup. Pricing varies by location, items and handling needs; you can decline the final quote on site.
Service area
ReSupply's Boston page lists Cambridge among the communities it serves. The City of Cambridge's reuse page describes ReSupply as an in-home, fee-based pickup option.
How to book
Website / booking
Notes
Habitat Greater Boston ReStore and Household Goods both point donors to ReSupply for in-home pickup.
Sources
[1] [2] [3] · last verified 2026-10-24
paid hauler

LoadUp junk removal

Takes
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
  • Couches
  • Appliances
  • General junk
Condition rules
No donation-quality requirement stated; this is junk removal.
Stairs / inside pickup
Yes. LoadUp says its loaders carry items out from any room (bedroom, basement, attic, upstairs); curbside option also offered.
Lead time / hours
Next-day or same-day pickup when you book before 12 p.m. (per LoadUp's Cambridge page).
Cost
Per LoadUp's pages: junk removal full-service from $75, curbside from $70, priority from $85. Mattress removal from $85. Starting prices; the final price is shown by ZIP and item before booking.
Service area
LoadUp has a Cambridge, MA page covering Cambridgeport, North Cambridge and East Cambridge. Enter your ZIP to confirm.
How to book
Website / booking
Notes
We do not currently have an affiliate relationship with LoadUp. If that changes, this listing will be labeled.
Sources
[1] [2] [3] · last verified 2026-10-24
paid hauler

Mattress Pro Recycling

Takes
  • Mattresses (any size, including memory foam and hybrid)
  • Box springs
  • Futons
  • Mattress toppers
  • Bed frames and other items by quote (text photos)
Not accepted
  • Wet, moldy or pest-infested mattresses
Condition rules
Mattresses must be dry and free of mold or pests. Pickup only; no customer drop-offs.
Stairs / inside pickup
Not stated, check with them
Lead time / hours
Book a date online. For a same-day pickup after 2 p.m., call or text 857-404-2496.
Cost
$125 per mattress, $100 per box spring, $50 per topper, any size (per its booking page). Bed frames and unlisted items: quote by text.
Service area
Its home page lists Cambridge among the towns it serves (also Somerville, Newton, Brookline, Watertown, Belmont, Arlington and more).
Address
221 Jackson Street, Newton, MA 02459 (as listed by the City of Boston)
How to book
Website / booking · 857-404-2496
Notes
The City of Cambridge lists Mattress Pro Recycling as a paid option and notes it also takes futon mattresses, toppers and bed frames.
Sources
[1] [2] [3] [4] · last verified 2026-10-24
paid hauler

HandUp Mattress Recycling & Resale (New Bedford drop-off)

Takes
  • Mattresses
  • Box springs
Not accepted
  • Mattresses or box springs visibly containing mold or bed bugs
Condition rules
Drop-off for a fixed price per mattress or box spring. Pickup for towns outside HandUp's scheduled routes is by quote through its contact form.
Stairs / inside pickup
Not stated, check with them
Lead time / hours
Recycling drop-off: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pickup timing: not stated.
Cost
Drop-off $35 at HandUp Mattress Recycling (100 Duchaine Blvd, Dock #15) or $40 at HandUp Mattress Resale (229 Coffin Ave), both in New Bedford. Pickup: by quote.
Service area
Cambridge isn't on HandUp's list of regularly scheduled curbside towns, so pickup is by quote. The City of Cambridge says to select "Boston" as your town.
Address
100 Duchaine Boulevard (Dock #15), New Bedford, MA 02745
How to book
Website / booking · 774-271-8744 · info@handupus.org
Notes
The City of Cambridge says some HandUp mattresses are sanitized and resold.
Sources
[1] [2] · last verified 2026-10-24
paid hauler

Marvin Junk Removal

Takes
  • Mattresses and box springs
  • Furniture (sofas, bed frames, dressers)
  • Appliances
  • Scrap metal, cast iron radiators and boilers
Condition rules
Free estimate by phone or text.
Stairs / inside pickup
Yes. Marvin says it carries items out from any floor, including walk-ups and basements.
Lead time / hours
Marvin says it is often same day.
Cost
Junk removal starts at $120 and mattress disposal starts at $180 (per its Cambridge page). Final price by estimate.
Service area
Has a Cambridge, MA service page.
How to book
Website / booking · 781-267-5966
Notes
Listed by the City of Cambridge as a paid mattress option. Its page describes Cambridge's UTEC program as free, which no longer matches the City's $45 fee.
Sources
[1] [2] · last verified 2026-10-24

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