Non-hazardous Solid Waste and Recycling - Massachusetts

Massachusetts incorporates by reference the federal regulations for Non-Hazardous Solid Waste and Recycling; however, the state adds further requirements.

A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA) regulations implemented the Massachusetts bottle deposit law, which places a five cent (5¢) refundable deposit on all carbonated soda, beer and malt beverage containers.
• The following materials and items, which may be encountered in construction, demolition, or renovation projects, are prohibited from disposal and/or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts:
  • Asphalt pavement, brick & concrete (ABC)
  • Ferrous & non-ferrous metal
  • Treated & untreated wood & wood waste (banned from landfills only)
  • Clean gypsum wallboard
  • Recyclable paper, cardboard & paperboard
  • White goods (large appliances)
  • Cathode ray tubes (crts)
  • Lead acid batteries
  • Plastic, glass & metal containers
  • Whole tires (banned from landfills only)
  • Leaf & yard waste Mattresses (effective 11/1/2022)
  • Textiles (effective 11/1/2022)

Related Information

• Waste & Recycling Laws & Rules
• Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations
• MassDEP Solid Waste Policies, Guidance & Fact Sheets
• Managing Construction & Demolition (C&D) Wastes
• Solid Waste Facilities
• Waste Ban Nov 2021
• Construction & Demolition Materials Guidance

Citation 

• 301 CMR 4.00
• 310 CMR 19.000