PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 20, 2025

Town of Bedford to Introduce Fee for Bulky Furniture Pick-Up Starting July 1

Bedford, MA – Beginning July 1, 2025, the Town of Bedford will introduce a $20 fee per item for curbside collection of bulky furniture items and mattresses. This new fee aligns with existing white goods collection policies and helps offset the growing costs of bulky item disposal.

Previously, the Town offered collection of one bulky item per week at no cost to the user, with full expenses covered by the broader tax levy. The new fee reduces operational costs and helps ensure that the cost of bulky item collection is more equitably shared by those who use the service. The Town will continue to contribute approximately half of the cost of bulky furniture and mattress stops, sharing in the expense to ensure affordability. 

Residents experiencing financial or other hardship may qualify for a fee waiver. A short application form is available on the Town’s website.

“This update allows us to continue offering convenient curbside bulky item pickup while sharing a portion of those costs with users requesting the service,” said Liz Antanavica, Trash and Recycling Administrator. “We’re also encouraging residents to explore donation of items in good shape and recycling options before disposal to help reduce costs for everyone while also reducing the amount of trash sent to incineration.” 

Residents are strongly encouraged to donate gently used items or use haul-away services offered by many furniture retailers when purchasing new items. The Bedford Recycling Center (BRC) also provides no-cost drop-off for select types of items, including plastic furniture (like lawn chairs or storage bins/drawers) and metal items (like outdoor tables, file cabinets and grills). Acceptable items list for the BRC can be found here. 

A list of local donation resources is below:

1. Household Goods Inc, Acton - Accepts gently used mattresses, furniture items, working small appliances, such as coffee makers and toasters, and televisions. https://www.householdgoods.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Household-Goods-Donation-Guidelines-2025.pdf
2. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Billerica - Accepts gently used furniture, appliances and building materials, including cabinets, windows, lighting and hardware. Curbside pickup is available. https://lowellhabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-Donate-Flyer-8.5x11.pdf
3. Lowell Wish Project, Chelmsford - Accepts gently used baby gear and children’s items including used car seats, pack & plays, strollers and highchairs. Also accepts clothing, linens and small kitchen items. https://www.thewishproject.org/donation-guidelines

Residents who have end-of-life bulky items they wish to dispose of before July 1 to avoid the fee may do so online at www.bedfordma.gov/recycling. Mattresses and box springs may be scheduled at https://utecinc.org/mattress-recycling/

Bulky item and mattress collection services are available to residents served by the municipal trash program only. This update will not impact residents with private trash service. 

Please direct questions to Liz Antanavica at trashrecycling@bedfordma.gov or (781)275-7605 x4261.