The Short Answer
You have five main options: have the retailer haul it away when your new one is delivered, recycle it, donate it if it is in good condition, book a bulky-item pickup with your city, or hire a junk removal service. Recycling is widely available and keeps much of the mattress out of landfill. Rules vary by city and state, so check locally before you put a mattress on the curb.
Mattress Disposal Options Compared
| Option | Typical Cost | Effort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retailer removal with new delivery | Often a fee; sometimes included | Low | Replacing a mattress |
| Recycling center or program | Free to modest fee | Medium | Eco-minded owners |
| Donation | Free (pickup may be available) | Medium | Mattresses in good, clean condition |
| City bulky-item pickup | Free to modest fee | Low to medium | Mattresses that cannot be reused |
| Junk removal service | Paid | Low | Fast, hands-off removal |
| Sell or give away | Free | Medium | Newer, clean mattresses |
1. Ask the Retailer to Take It
When you buy a new mattress, many brands and stores offer old mattress removal at delivery, usually for a fee. Ask before you order, check what is included, and ask whether they recycle what they collect. PlushBeds, for example, offers in-home setup ($249 on orders up to $1,999, or $199 on orders of $2,000 and more) and will remove and recycle your old mattress for $99 more. It also offers a $149 concierge removal service if you return a PlushBeds mattress.
2. Recycle It
Most of a mattress can be recycled. Steel springs become scrap metal, foam can be turned into carpet padding, and wood, cotton and other fibers can be reused. In California, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Oregon, the Mattress Recycling Council runs statewide programs known as Bye Bye Mattress, funded by a recycling fee paid when you buy a mattress, with free drop-off sites. Other states and cities have their own programs or recycling centers. Search your city's waste department site or the Bye Bye Mattress locator.
3. Donate It
Some charities and shelters accept mattresses, but many do not, because of hygiene rules. Those that do typically require no stains, tears, odors, sagging or pests. Call ahead and ask whether they pick up. Furniture banks and some thrift stores are the most likely to accept clean, gently used mattresses.
4. Book a Bulky-Item Pickup
Many cities collect mattresses as bulky items, sometimes for free a few times a year and sometimes for a fee. Some require the mattress to be wrapped in plastic, which helps prevent the spread of bed bugs. Do not simply leave a mattress on the curb without checking, as some areas fine illegal dumping.
5. Hire a Junk Removal Service
Junk removal companies will carry a mattress out of your home, usually for a fee based on volume. Ask whether they recycle or donate. This is the easiest option if you cannot move a heavy mattress yourself.
6. Sell or Give It Away
A newer, clean mattress can be sold or given away through local marketplaces. Be honest about its age and condition. Many buyers are wary of used mattresses, so free listings move faster.
How to Prepare a Mattress for Disposal
- Clean it if you are donating or selling; see our mattress cleaning guide.
- Wrap it in plastic if your city requires it, if it has bed bugs, or if it may contain fiberglass. Mattress disposal bags are inexpensive.
- Do not cut open a mattress that may have a fiberglass fire barrier, as fibers can escape. See our mattresses without fiberglass.
- Get help moving it. Mattresses are heavy and awkward; protect walls and stairways.
Should You Take It Apart Yourself?
Some people dismantle a mattress to recycle the parts separately. It takes time, tools and care, and it is not a good idea if the mattress might contain fiberglass or has pests. For most people, a recycling program or retailer removal is easier and safer.
Is It Time to Replace Yours?
If you are not sure, see how long mattresses last and the signs it is time. When you buy a new one, a durable mattress and a protector from day one help it last much longer, which means fewer mattresses to dispose of.
What Disposal Typically Costs
| Method | Cost Range (Varies by Area) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bye Bye Mattress drop-off (participating states) | Free at drop-off sites | Recycling fee paid at purchase |
| City bulky-item pickup | Free to a modest fee | Often must be scheduled |
| Retailer haul-away | Usually a fee | Ask before ordering |
| Junk removal company | Paid, based on volume | Fastest hands-off option |
| Donation | Usually free | Only for clean, good-condition mattresses |
Costs and rules change, so confirm with your city or service before booking.
Why Recycling Matters
Mattresses are bulky and do not compress well in landfills, so they take up a lot of space. The steel, foam, fiber and wood inside them can be recovered and reused. Recycling programs exist in many areas specifically because mattresses are such an awkward item for regular trash collection.
Disposing of a Mattress With Bed Bugs
Do not donate or give away a mattress with bed bugs. Wrap it fully in plastic and seal it, label it if your city requires it, and arrange disposal promptly. Work with a pest control professional to treat the rest of the home, as replacing the mattress alone will not solve an infestation.
Mattress Disposal FAQ
How Do I Get Rid of an Old Mattress?
Ask your new mattress retailer to remove it, recycle it through a local program, donate it if it is clean and in good condition, book a city bulky-item pickup, or hire a junk removal service.
Can Mattresses Be Recycled?
Yes. Steel springs, foam, wood and fibers can all be recycled. California, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Oregon have statewide Bye Bye Mattress programs, and many other areas have recycling centers.
Will Charities Take Used Mattresses?
Some do, but many cannot because of hygiene rules. Those that accept mattresses usually require no stains, tears, odors or pests.
Can I Leave a Mattress on the Curb?
Only if your city allows it, often by scheduled bulky-item pickup. Leaving it out without arranging pickup may be considered illegal dumping.
How Much Does Mattress Removal Cost?
It varies. City bulky-item pickups are often free or low-cost, while retailer haul-away and junk removal services charge a fee. PlushBeds adds old mattress removal and recycling to its in-home setup for $99, as of October 2026.
Replacing Your Mattress?
Our top pick, the PlushBeds Signature Bliss, comes with a 365-night money-back guarantee, a lifetime warranty and optional old mattress removal with setup.
Check Signature Bliss Price