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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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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