The City of Chelsea will begin charging residents a $25 fee for curbside collection of mattresses and box springs starting February 1, 2026. The city will discuss this change at a community meeting on December 16, 2025, at the Chelsea Public Library Auditorium. The new fee is lower than those in nearby cities, where similar services cost between $70 and $75 per item. Private trash customers in Chelsea will continue to pay $40 per item.
This policy change follows a Massachusetts waste ban from 2022. The ban made it illegal to dispose of mattresses and box springs in the trash and required recycling. Chelsea initially offered free curbside collection to help residents comply, using city funds to cover costs. As of October 2025, the program has completed over 11,000 pickups and cost more than $720,000. City officials say the program is no longer financially sustainable.
City Manager Fidel Maltez said the new fee is intended to balance environmental goals with the city’s budget. He also said the fee is meant to limit use by non-residents and property management companies, so the service remains available for Chelsea residents…