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 & concrete
• Cathode ray tubes (TVs and computer monitors)
• Clean gypsum wallboard
• Ferrous & non-ferrous metals
• Glass & metal containers
• Lead acid batteries
• Leaves & yard waste
• Recyclable paper, cardboard & paperboard
• Single resin narrow-necked plastics
• Treated & untreated wood & 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.

Guidance Documents

• For Businesses
• For Municipalities

MassDEP Website

•  http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/solid/wastebans.htm