Pittsfield Announces New Partnership for Mattress Recycling

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's disposal ban, which prohibits mattresses for inclusion in waste disposal or transport for disposal beginning Nov. 1, the city of Pittsfield Department of Public Services and Utilities has partnered with Tough Stuff Recycling (TSR) to offer a curbside pickup service for mattresses in the city.
 
The ban prohibits mattress disposal via the city's bulky waste sticker program.
 
Under the new system, residents can schedule a pickup appointment through the company's online scheduling system at https://order.toughstuffrecycling.com. TSR's service fee is $55 per unit. 
 
For more information, including a list of mattress recycling frequently asked questions, a link is available on the city's Public Utilities web page: Mattress Recycling.
 
In addition to mattresses, textiles are also among the items included in the waste disposal ban. These items include clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, fabric, and similar products. Exceptions include textiles that are contaminated with mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances.
 
Currently, the city has two drop-off bins with more coming in the near future. These are located at the Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave. and at the Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank St.
 
For more information on textile donation and recycling, please visit here.

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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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