Trash, Recycle, & Yard Waste

Over 600,000 mattresses are disposed of each year in Massachusetts. The City has contracted with HandUp US, a mattress and box spring recycler to take clean mattresses and disassemble them into the wood, metal, and fabric components with the goal of recycling or reusing the materials. 

Pick Up Schedule
Mattress recycling days are Monday and Thursday. You must call 3-1-1 (or 617-466-4209) to schedule the day and address for your pick up. On that day, leave the mattress outside by 7am. It does not need to be wrapped in plastic. Mattresses left outside without scheduled pickup may be ticketed. 

Please let the 311 operator know if your mattress has bed bugs. These MUST BE WRAPPED in plastic and will be picked up separately. 

Cost
City Trash Customers - The mattress pick up is FREE of charge if your trash is picked up by the City of Chelsea. Please call the number above to schedule a pick up.

Non-City Trash Customers - If you have trash service from a private hauler, you should contact that company first. However, if they will not take mattresses and box springs, the City will pick up for a fee of $40 per item. Please pay in person at City Hall, online (select "Chelsea" and then "DPW Permits") or mail a check to: 

500 Broadway, Room 310
Chelsea MA, 02150

Once payment has been received, you can schedule a pick up. 

The average person discards 100 pounds of clothing each year byt 95% of clothing and textiles can be reused or recycled. The City is working with the Helpsy, a B corporation, to collect and recycle textiles. 

• Acceptable Textiles - clothing, accessories, shoes, linens, blankets, quilts, tablecloths, cloth napkins, luggage, bags, stuffed animals, curtains and more!
• Unacceptable textiles - items that are wet, muddy, moldy, or smelly even after washing.

Pick Up Schedule
Textiles are picked up on Wednesdays. You must call 3-1-1 (or 617-466-4209) to schedule the day and address for your pick up, or use the online scheduler at www.helpsy.co/chelseama. Place the clean, dry items in a plastic bag and write "HELPSY" on the outside. Place the bags by your front door before 7am on the scheduled pick up day. This services is free for all residents.

Any questions please contact 311 (617) 466-4209.

Holiday	Date	Delay
Independence Day	Tuesday, July 4	Trash pick-up will occur on its regular route on Monday, July 3. There will be NO trash pick-up on Tuesday, July 4; Tuesday and the rest of the week will be delayed by one day.

Rates as of July 2023 Billing

Building Type or Usage Category	Monthly Fee	Annual Fee
Owner -occupied Unit	No charge	No charge
Residential Property (up to 8 units)	$40.20	$482.35
Commercial Unit in Mixed-Use Building	$189.62	$2,275.48
Church, School, or Non-Profit	$94.82	$1,137.80

FY24 Trash Fees (PDF)

Notes:

• Property owners may contract with a City-approved waste hauler for any of the above services.
• The City does not provide trash and recycling services to commercial properties other than mixed-use buildings. Commercial properties must contract with a City-approved waste hauler.
• Residential properties with more than 8 units must contract with a City-approved waste hauler.

Mattresses
The City of Chelsea municipal trash customers can call 3-1-1 (617-466-4209) to schedule FREE curbside pickup of these items. Unscheduled items left on the street will be ticketed.
Wrap your mattress and spring box in plastic to avoid the spread of bed bugs. Items not wrapped in plastic will not be collected, and you may be issued a violation citation.

White Goods Stickers

The following items will only be collected through the White Goods program. To dispose, residents must purchase a sticker ($25.00 for each item) at the Treasurer's Office at Chelsea City Hall Room #213. Sticker must be on item for pick up.

• Televisions
• Computer monitors (rest of computer is acceptable for trash)
• Air Conditioners
• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Washer & dryers
• Dishwashers
• Ovens
• Stoves
• Hot water heaters / water tank

Only oil-based paints will be accepted.
When: 1st Saturday of the month from April to October
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Drop-off Location: Chelsea City Yard, 380 Beacham Street.
Note: Latex paint should be opened, dried, and discarded with your regular trash.