In 1990, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials. Additional "waste bans" have been phased in over time.
The following materials and items are prohibited from disposal and/or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts:
- Asphalt pavement, brick, and concrete
- Cathode ray tubes (TVs and computer monitors)
- Clean gypsum wallboard
- Ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- Glass and metal containers
- Lead acid batteries
- Leaves and yard waste
- Recyclable paper, cardboard, and paperboard
- Single resin narrow-necked plastics
- Treated and untreated wood and wood waste (banned from landfills only)
- White goods (large appliances)
- Whole tires (banned from landfills only; shredded tires acceptable)
Since the first waste bans were introduced, Massachusetts municipalities and businesses - often supported by MassDEP grants and technical assistance - have developed new infrastructure to collect banned items and other discarded materials, and to divert them from disposal to reuse and recycling.
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