West Haven introduces mattress pickup fee to reduce city disposal costs

The West Haven City Council meeting on April 10, 2025, addressed several key issues, including the city's mattress pickup program, which has undergone significant changes due to rising costs and misuse.

The discussion began with an explanation of the transition from a dumpster drop-off system for mattress disposal to a more structured pickup process. City officials highlighted that the cost of disposing of a full dumpster of mattresses had increased dramatically from $700 to $1,200 over the past two years. This surge in expenses was compounded by the inability to track who was dropping off mattresses, leading to misuse by landlords and non-residents.

Officials noted that public works crews frequently encountered large numbers of mattresses left at the dumpster, sometimes exceeding 30 in a single week. This situation resulted in substantial costs, with the city spending over $50,000 annually on mattress removal, much of which was attributed to mattresses that did not belong to West Haven residents.

To address these challenges, the city implemented a new pickup process, charging residents $30 for mattress disposal. This fee covers the city's expenses and allows for better tracking of who is utilizing the service. In the past year, this system has successfully removed over 300 mattresses at no cost to taxpayers, demonstrating a significant improvement in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The council emphasized that as more residents purchase mattresses online, it is increasingly their responsibility to dispose of the old ones. The new process not only saves the city money but also ensures that the disposal service is used appropriately by West Haven residents. Overall, the changes to the mattress pickup program reflect the city's commitment to managing resources effectively while addressing the needs of its residents.