How to Dispose of an Old Mattress
Mattress disposal is trickier than most bulky items — banned in many landfills, not accepted by most charities unless in perfect condition, and too big to just toss out. Here's every option ranked by cost and effort, including programs that won't cost you a cent.
Why Mattress Disposal Is Complicated
According to the Sleep Foundation, Americans dispose of approximately 20 million mattresses per year. Despite that, 80% of a mattress's materials are recyclable — steel coils, foam, and fabric can all be recovered and reused. The challenge is logistics: mattresses are bulky, many landfills restrict or ban them, and most charities have strict condition requirements. Knowing your options ahead of time saves money and hassle.
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bye Bye Mattress Program (Free) | Free |
| Retailer Take-Back (Free or Low Fee) | Free–$100 |
| Donate to Charity | Free |
| Municipal Bulk Pickup | Free or $20–$50 |
| Junk Removal Service | $75–$150 per mattress |
| Dumpster Rental (Cleanouts & Multiple Items) | $275–$500 (+ $25–$75 mattress fee) |
All 6 Options In Detail
1. Bye Bye Mattress Program (Free)
Best for: Residents of CA, CT, RI, or OR
The Bye Bye Mattress program, run by the Mattress Recycling Council, provides free mattress drop-off locations in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Oregon. These states fund the program through a small recycling fee collected at point of sale on new mattress purchases. Drop-off sites are widespread — retail stores, recycling centers, and transfer stations participate. Visit byebyemattress.com to find the nearest location by zip code. Box springs are also accepted.
Pros
- + Completely free for consumers
- + 80%+ of materials recycled (steel, foam, fabric)
- + Hundreds of drop-off locations
- + Box springs accepted too
Cons
- − Only available in 4 states (CA, CT, RI, OR)
- − Must transport mattress yourself
- − Limited to 2 mattresses per visit at some locations
- − Not available to businesses (residential only at most sites)
Where to go: Bye Bye Mattress (byebyemattress.com) · Mattress Recycling Council
2. Retailer Take-Back (Free or Low Fee)
Best for: Buying a replacement mattress
When you buy a new mattress and have it delivered, many brands and retailers will remove your old one the same day. Saatva's white-glove service includes old mattress removal as standard. Casper and Purple offer haul-away as a paid add-on at checkout. Mattress Firm often removes the old mattress with delivery — policies vary by location, so confirm at purchase. This is the easiest option when you're already spending money on a new mattress, since the logistics are handled for you.
Pros
- + Zero effort — happens on delivery day
- + No need to transport anything
- + Often free or bundled with delivery cost
- + Mattress goes directly to recycling in most cases
Cons
- − Only available when purchasing a new mattress
- − Haul-away is an add-on fee at some retailers
- − Policies vary widely — confirm before purchasing
- − Must have new mattress delivered (not picked up)
Where to go: Saatva · Purple · Casper · Mattress Firm
3. Donate to Charity
Best for: Mattresses in clean, stain-free condition
Charities accept mattresses that are genuinely in good condition — stain-free, no tears, no structural damage, and from a smoke-free home. Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Salvation Army are the most widely available options and both offer scheduled pickup in many areas. Local shelters, transitional housing programs, and churches may also accept donations. The Sleep Foundation estimates that a mattress can last 7–10 years, so if yours is under that threshold and in excellent shape, donation is worth pursuing before disposal.
Pros
- + Free pickup at many charity locations
- + Mattress gets reused instead of landfilled
- + Tax deduction possible
- + Supports your community
Cons
- − Strict condition requirements (no stains, tears)
- − Many charities decline mattresses entirely
- − Scheduling and waiting required
- − Not an option for old, worn, or damaged mattresses
Where to go: Habitat for Humanity ReStore · Salvation Army · Local shelters · Churches and community organizations
4. Municipal Bulk Pickup
Best for: Residents whose city offers bulk item pickup
Most cities and counties offer a bulk item pickup program — either on a scheduled annual or semi-annual basis, or on-demand with a fee. Place the mattress at the curb on the designated day and the waste hauler takes it. Check your city's waste management website or call 311 to find out your local program's schedule and cost. Some cities include mattresses for free; others charge $20–$50 per item. This option requires the least effort — you simply put the mattress outside.
Pros
- + Minimal effort
- + Free or low cost
- + No transportation required
- + Works for any mattress condition
Cons
- − Schedules are infrequent in some cities
- − May have a fee per item
- − Mattress sits outside until pickup day
- − Not all cities accept mattresses in bulk pickup
Where to go: Your city waste management website · 311 service line
5. Junk Removal Service
Best for: No vehicle, can't move mattress yourself
1-800-GOT-JUNK and College Hunks Hauling Junk both offer mattress pickup with a crew that loads and hauls. Expect to pay $75–$150 per mattress as a single-item pickup, or slightly less per unit if they're picking up multiple items in the same visit. These services are convenient — the crew comes to you, removes the mattress from any floor or room, and hauls it. Ideal when you have no vehicle or are unable to do any lifting. Many junk removal companies take mattresses to recycling facilities rather than landfills.
Pros
- + Zero effort — crew removes from any room
- + Same-day or next-day availability
- + Works for any condition mattress
- + No vehicle or transportation needed
Cons
- − Most expensive per-mattress option
- − Must be home for the appointment
- − Price increases with multiple items
- − Scheduling windows can be wide
Where to go: 1-800-GOT-JUNK · College Hunks Hauling Junk · LoadUp · Local junk removal companies
6. Dumpster Rental (Cleanouts & Multiple Items)
Best for: Whole-room or whole-house cleanouts with mattress + other debris
If you're clearing out a bedroom, staging a home, or doing a full estate cleanout, a dumpster rental is the most cost-effective option when a mattress is just one of many items going. Many rental companies allow mattresses in their roll-off containers — sometimes for free, sometimes for a $25–$75 surcharge per mattress. Always ask before booking. A 10-yard dumpster handles a mattress, bed frame, dresser, and other bedroom items together, making it far cheaper per item than individual junk removal trips.
Pros
- + Best value when disposing of multiple items
- + Work at your own pace over 7–14 days
- + One cost covers mattress + all other debris
- + Most cost-effective for large cleanouts
Cons
- − Extra fee for mattress in some cases ($25–$75)
- − You do the loading
- − Needs driveway or street space for container
- − Not cost-effective for mattress-only disposal
Putting a Mattress in a Dumpster: What to Know
Cost Comparison by Scenario
| Scenario | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Buying a new mattress | Retailer take-back |
| Live in CA, CT, RI, or OR | Bye Bye Mattress drop-off |
| Mattress in perfect condition | Donate |
| No vehicle, single mattress | Junk removal |
| Whole bedroom cleanout | Dumpster rental |
| City offers bulk pickup | Municipal bulk pickup |
What NOT to Do with a Mattress
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a mattress in a dumpster?
Usually yes, but always confirm with your dumpster rental company first. Many roll-off dumpster providers allow mattresses with a surcharge of $25–$75 per mattress, because mattresses require special handling at the landfill or recycling facility. Some companies include mattresses at no extra charge if you're renting for a whole-house or multi-room cleanout. A few companies decline mattresses entirely due to local landfill restrictions. Always ask before you book, and factor in any mattress fee when comparing your disposal options.
How do I get rid of a mattress for free?
The best free options for mattress disposal are: (1) The Bye Bye Mattress program — free drop-off at hundreds of locations in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Oregon; (2) Retailer take-back — if you're buying a new mattress from Purple, Casper, Saatva, or Mattress Firm, many will remove your old one for free or a small fee on delivery day; (3) Donation — Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Salvation Army accept mattresses in stain-free, no-tear condition and may offer free pickup; (4) Your city's free bulk item pickup — most municipalities offer 1–2 bulk pickups per year at no cost.
Does Purple/Casper take back old mattresses?
Yes, several direct-to-consumer mattress brands offer old mattress removal when delivering a new one. Purple, Casper, and Saatva all have haul-away options, though policies and fees vary. Casper and Purple typically offer removal for a fee (often $50–$100) as an add-on at checkout. Saatva is known for its white-glove delivery service, which includes removing your old mattress as part of their standard delivery — making it one of the easiest options if you're already purchasing a Saatva mattress. Always check the current policy at checkout, as these programs change.
What is the Bye Bye Mattress program?
Bye Bye Mattress (byebyemattress.com) is a nonprofit program funded by the Mattress Recycling Council and state mattress recycling fees. It operates free mattress drop-off locations in four states: California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Oregon. The program was created because these states passed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws requiring a recycling infrastructure for mattresses. At drop-off locations, mattresses are disassembled and 80%+ of materials are recycled — steel springs, foam, and fabric are all recovered. There is no cost to consumers. To find your nearest drop-off, visit byebyemattress.com and search by zip code.
How much does mattress disposal cost?
Mattress disposal costs vary widely depending on your method: Free — Bye Bye Mattress program (CA, CT, RI, OR), retailer take-back with new purchase, donation pickup, or city bulk pickup. $20–$50 — Municipal bulk item pickup fees, or mattress recycling center drop-off. $25–$75 — Extra fee if putting a mattress in a rented dumpster (confirm with your provider). $75–$150 per mattress — Junk removal services like 1-800-GOT-JUNK or College Hunks Hauling Junk. The most cost-effective paid option for a whole-room cleanout is dumpster rental, where the mattress fee is a small add-on to the overall rental cost.
Clearing Out a Bedroom or Full House?
A dumpster rental is the most cost-effective option when you have a mattress plus furniture and other debris. Find local companies and get free quotes.
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