How to dispose of a mattress
Want your county's specific mattress rule + nearest drop-off or pickup?
We will show the verified local rule, state mattress program, and curbside-pickup eligibility for your ZIP. Type your ZIP at /check → Free, no signup.
State mattress-recycling programs (free)
Three states fund mandatory mattress-recycling programs that accept residential mattresses at no cost: California (Bye Bye Mattress), Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Drop off at any participating site or schedule a pickup. ~75% of the mattress is recycled (steel springs, foam, wood, fabric). Find your nearest site at byebyemattress.com.
Municipal bulk pickup
Most U.S. counties run a bulk-pickup program for items too large for curbside trash. Schedules vary widely. Some counties offer 2 free pickups per year, others charge per item. Mattresses usually need to be bagged or wrapped in plastic (a sanitation requirement). ClearPath shows your county's bulk-pickup policy and the scheduling link.
Donation
Most charities (Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore) only accept mattresses that meet strict cleanliness and condition standards. Bedbugs, stains, or sags are immediate disqualifiers. Call ahead, because every charity's accept-list differs. Furniture Banks Network (furniturebanks.org) coordinates donation pickups for qualifying mattresses in 40+ U.S. metros.
Drop-off at a recycling facility
A growing number of independent recyclers accept mattresses for $20-40 each. Coverage is uneven by region. ClearPath shows the verified nearest option for your ZIP if one exists, and falls back to a bulk-pickup recommendation if not.
Junk-hauler pickup
Services like 1-800-GOT-JUNK or LoadUp will haul a mattress for $75-150. Convenient, but the most expensive option. Worth it when the mattress cannot easily be moved to the curb (an apartment without an elevator, mobility constraints).
Step-by-step: prep + handoff
- 1. Check your state. If you live in CA, CT, or RI, go to byebyemattress.com first. It is free.
- 2. Assess condition. Stain-free, tear-free, and under 10 years old means donation is possible. Otherwise, recycle.
- 3. Bag it. Wrap the mattress in a plastic mattress bag (sold at U-Haul or Home Depot for about $10). Most sanitation programs require it.
- 4. Look up your local option. Try /check with your ZIP. We will show the verified local rule and the nearest site.
Frequently asked
Can I put a mattress in the trash?
Not in most U.S. counties. Mattresses are banned from curbside trash because they jam compactors and take up disproportionate landfill volume. Most counties require bulk-pickup scheduling, drop-off at a designated facility, or recycling instead.
Is mattress recycling really free in California?
Yes. The Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act (2013) funds it through a small recycling fee paid at purchase. Drop off at any Bye Bye Mattress site or schedule a free pickup. Connecticut and Rhode Island have similar laws.
What if my mattress has bedbugs?
Bag it in a sealed plastic mattress bag, label it 'INFESTED', and contact your county's special-handling intake. Most counties have a separate protocol for bedbug-infested furniture to prevent re-infestation at handling facilities. Do not donate.
Can I donate a mattress?
Only if it is stain-free, tear-free, and less than 10 years old. Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat ReStore have strict standards. Call ahead, because every location's accept-list differs. Furniture Banks Network coordinates donation pickups for qualifying mattresses in 40+ metros.
How much does mattress disposal cost?
Free in CA, CT, and RI through state programs. $0-50 for municipal bulk pickup in most other counties. $20-40 for independent recycler drop-off. $75-150 for full-service junk haulers. Donation is free when the mattress qualifies.
Do I have to wrap the mattress in plastic?
Most municipal sanitation programs require it for hygiene reasons and for bedbug containment. Plastic mattress bags cost about $10 at Home Depot, U-Haul, or any moving-supply store.
Will Goodwill pick up a mattress?
Goodwill picks up mattresses in some metros (varies by store), but only if the mattress is stain-free, tear-free, less than 10 years old, and either standard or queen size. Call ahead — most Goodwill rejections happen on intake when staff inspect the item. Salvation Army (satruck.org) is usually more reliable for free pickup nationwide.
What happens to recycled mattresses?
Mattresses are broken into 4 component streams: steel springs (recycled into rebar / scrap), foam (sold as carpet padding underlay), wood from box springs (mulch or fuel chips), and fabric (industrial rags or insulation). About 80% by weight is recovered. The dedicated state programs in CA/CT/RI recycle 60,000+ mattresses per month.
Can I leave my mattress at the curb for someone to take?
Legally questionable in most cities. Some allow curbside 'free' giveaways with a sign for 24-48 hours; many HOAs and inner-ring suburbs ban it outright as illegal dumping. If you try this, set a hard deadline — by hour 48 if no one has taken it, it becomes a city ordinance violation.
Find your local mattress option
Bulk-pickup days, MRC state-program coverage, and HHW alternatives differ by ZIP. Type your ZIP and we will return the verified local rule and the next-best option in seconds.