Junk & Bulky Item Disposal on the North Shore, MA — The 2026 Guide
North Shore, MA · Updated Junho 2026
If getting rid of an old couch, a fridge or a basement full of junk on the North Shore feels harder than it used to be — you're right. A 2022 state law changed the rules, and every town now handles it differently. Here's the whole picture in one place.
The 2022 rule that started the confusion
Since November 1, 2022, Massachusetts has banned these from regular trash statewide:
- ·Mattresses and box springs — every size, crib to California King
- ·Textiles — clean, dry clothing, shoes, bedding, curtains and fabric
Those join the older bans on whole tires, large appliances ("white goods"), CRT TVs and monitors, and construction & demolition debris (concrete, brick, metal, clean wood, drywall).
Dumping any of it illegally carries a fine of up to $5,500 for a first offense and up to $15,000 for a repeat (MGL Ch. 270 §16). That's why your town now charges a fee or sends you to a separate program for the big stuff.
What each North Shore town charges
A quick comparison for the towns we serve (as of Junho 2026 — always confirm current fees with your town):
| Town | Furniture | Appliance | Fridge (freon) | Mattress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peabody | $20 sticker (1 item) | $20 sticker | $20 sticker (covered) | NOT collected |
| Salem | $20 / item | $20 (white goods) | Not listed — confirm | $40 paid to UTEC |
| Lynn | $20 / item | Confirm | Confirm | Confirm applies |
| Danvers | $20 single sticker | $20 (same sticker) | $20 (same sticker — rare!) | NOT collected |
| Beverly | Confirm | FREE (with annual trash fee) | NOT accepted — needs a licensed handler | Separate program |
| Marblehead | Weigh & Pay — $280 / ton | $25 (no freon) | Confirm | Banned |
| Saugus | Green sticker — $2 | Red sticker — $20 | Red sticker — $20 | NOT collected |
Fees, haulers and phone numbers change every year by contract. Use this as a starting point and confirm with your town's DPW before you rely on it.
The part no town solves
Almost no North Shore town will take the four things people most need gone: a fridge or AC (freon), construction debris, tires, or oil-based paint and chemicals. You usually find out mid-move or mid-renovation, the hard way.
That's the gap. A sticker doesn't carry it down the stairs. The transfer station is residents-only and cash-only. The free pickup is once a month and skips your fridge.
The simple alternative
We're built for exactly this: you point at it, we haul it. One all-in price (labor, hauling and disposal), no stickers, no scheduling around a once-a-month truck, no second trip. Call or send a photo and we'll give you a price on the spot — across the whole North Shore.
We'll just take it.
One all-in price — labor, hauling and disposal. Call or send a photo and we'll quote it on the spot.
Frequently asked
Why does my town charge to take a mattress now?
A 2022 Massachusetts law banned mattresses and box springs from the trash. Towns must recycle them through a separate (usually paid) program, so most pass a fee to you or won't collect them at all.
What's the fine for dumping junk illegally in MA?
Up to $5,500 for a first offense and up to $15,000 for a repeat, under MGL Ch. 270 §16 — including leaving items on the wrong curb or public land.
What won't any North Shore town pick up?
Generally a fridge/AC with freon, construction debris, tires, and oil-based paint or chemicals. Those need a private hauler or a licensed facility — which is where we come in.