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Norfolk County, MA Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

County Rule?
None: municipal program
Mattress/Textile Ban
310 CMR 19.017 (statewide)
Appliances
Refrigerant recovery required
Excluded
Construction debris, hazmat
Illegal Dumping
MGL c. 270 §16

Summary

Norfolk County does not offer bulk pickup. Each municipality runs its own bulk program: some free, others require scheduled appointment or sticker. Mattresses and textiles are banned from disposal statewide.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Norfolk County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Materials Currently Banned from Disposal or Transfer for Disposal in Massachusetts: Asphalt pavement, brick and concrete; Cathode ray tubes; Clean gypsum wallboard; Commercial food material (lower threshold effective November 1, 2022); Ferrous and non-ferrous metals; Glass, metal, and plastic containers (bottles, cans, jars, jugs and tubs); Lead acid batteries; Leaves and yard waste; Mattresses (effective November 1, 2022); Recyclable paper, cardboard and paperboard; Textiles (effective November 1, 2022); Treated and untreated wood and wood waste (banned from landfills only); White goods (large appliances); Whole tires (banned from landfills only; shredded tires acceptable). [...] November 1, 2022 - MassDEP is expanding its waste disposal bans by: Lowering the threshold on commercial organic/food waste to facilities generating more than one-half ton of these materials per week; and Adding mattresses and textiles to the list of materials banned from disposal or transport for disposal in Massachusetts. [...] The MassDEP waste disposal bans can be found in Section 19.017 of the agency's Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations at 310 CMR 19.000.

Full Breakdown

Bulk item disposal in Norfolk County is a municipal service. Programs vary: Quincy offers free curbside bulk pickup by appointment through DPW; Brookline requires a purchased sticker; Weymouth and Braintree schedule by call-in; Dedham uses town transfer station drop-off. Mattresses, box springs, and textiles are BANNED from disposal statewide under 310 CMR 19.017 (effective Nov 2022) and must go to certified recycling programs, most towns coordinate this through their bulk pickup. CRT electronics and mercury devices are also banned. Appliances with refrigerant require CFC recovery documentation. Construction debris is not eligible for residential bulk pickup.

Violations & Fines

No county enforcement. Illegal dumping under MGL c. 270 §16: $25-$5,500 fines plus cleanup cost. Municipal early/illegal placement: $50-$200.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are typical penalties for violating bulk disposal rules?
Most Norfolk County trash recycling violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult Norfolk County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Norfolk County

All Norfolk County rules

Compare Norfolk County to another location·View the Massachusetts trash & recycling overview

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Bulk Item Disposal in Cities Across Norfolk County