Textile and Mattress Recycling
As of November 1, 2022 the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection made it illegal to trash recyclable textiles and mattresses in the state. This action was part of a major effort by the MASSDEP to significantly reduce solid waste. Despite pass success in that effort over the past several years, Massachusetts still cannot properly dispose within our borders all the trash we generate. The Department has instituted ongoing programs to reach its waste reduction goals. Each of us can play a part.
To learn more about the textiles issue, see this article that appeared in the Berkshire Edge on June 7, 2023 and this write-up that appeared as a letter to the editor of the Berkshire Eagle May 22, 2024.
Recycle your Textiles in Lee: we have a couple of options in town:
- the Goodwill store has been around for ages and accepts unwanted textiles.
- CMRK (a Big Brother Big Sister Foundation partner) has two bins downtown in the parking lot across from the Post Office on Railroad Street and two bins at Lee Premium Outlets. The town benefits financially when you recycle your textiles at the downtown bins. CMRK also offers curbside pickup - call 508.466.4590.
- Hartsprings Foundation also offers curbside pickup in Lee. Contact them at https://hartsprings.org/
You can recycle mattresses in Lee and also if you bring them to Casella's Waste Transfer Facility in Lenoxdale ( https://local.casella.com/Recycling/MA/Cheshire-MA/Lenox-Dale-MA ). To learn more about mattress recycling and the option in Lee, click here.