How To Dispose of a Mattress

Before deciding on your disposal method, assess your mattress condition and evaluate whether donation, recycling, or disposal is the most appropriate option.

Donation-Eligible Criteria

Your mattress may be suitable for donation if it's free from:

• Infestations (bed bugs, mold, mites)
• Structural damage (broken springs, significant sagging)
• Tears, rips, or holes (including small burns or animal damage)
• Stains (large or small, permanent stains)
• Strong odors (that can't be removed with cleaning)

Recycling vs. Disposal

If your mattress doesn't meet donation standards but has intact materials, recycling is the next best option. The Mattress Recycling Council reports that 75% to 90% of a mattress's material can be recycled.

If your mattress is gently used or still in good condition, donating it provides immediate benefits to those in need and helps keep materials out of landfills.

Where to Donate

• Local homeless shelters
• Furniture banks
• Religious organizations
• College campuses (student housing)
• Charitable organizations (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army)
• Online platforms (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle)

Donation Process

Always call the facility ahead of time to confirm acceptance policies and pickup/drop-off requirements. Some organizations offer free pickup services, while others require you to drop off the mattress yourself.

Mattress recycling is the most environmentally responsible disposal method. The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) recycles nearly 2 million mattresses every year through various programs.

How Mattress Recycling Works

Professional facilities dismantle mattresses to recover valuable materials:

• Metal springs: Melted down for new steel products
• Foam: Shredded for carpet padding, insulation, or furniture filling
• Fabric and cotton: Repurposed for industrial applications
• Wood (from box springs): Processed into particle board or mulch

Free Mattress Recycling Programs

Several states offer free mattress recycling through mandatory programs:

• California: More than five million mattresses recycled by MRC's Bye Bye Mattress program
• Connecticut: More than 775,000 mattresses recycled
• Rhode Island: More than 330,000 mattresses recycled
• Oregon: More than five million mattresses recycled

Finding Mattress Recycling Centers

• Bye Bye Mattress website: Directory of recycling facilities
• Earth911.com: National database of recycling centers
• Municipal programs: Check with local waste management
• Retailer programs: Many offer recycling with new mattress delivery

Recycling Costs

• State program states: Free drop-off at designated locations
• Other areas: Typically $10-$30 fee per mattress
• Some retailers: Include recycling fee with haul-away service

DIY Mattress Breakdown

If professional recycling isn't available, you can dismantle the mattress yourself:

• Remove fabric covering carefully with utility knife
• Extract metal springs with wire cutters (sell to scrap dealers)
• Separate foam layers (check local foam recycling options)
• Process wood components from box springs (wood recycling or composting)

If your mattress is in excellent condition, consider selling or giving it away rather than disposing of it.

Online Marketplaces

• Facebook Marketplace
• Craigslist
• OfferUp
• Nextdoor (neighborhood app)

Curbside Pickup

You can place your mattress curbside with a "Free" sign, but:

• Wrap in plastic to protect from weather
• Check local regulations (some areas prohibit this)
• Verify HOA rules if applicable
• Monitor for pickup to prevent illegal dumping appearance

Several services will remove your old mattress for you, each with different costs and environmental commitments.

Retailer Pickup Services

Many mattress retailers offer haul-away services when delivering new mattresses:

• Required by law in some states like California (no additional cost)
• Optional service in other areas (typically $50-$150)
• Ask about recycling vs. landfill disposal

Municipal Bulky Item Pickup

Many cities offer scheduled bulk item collection:

• Contact local waste management for schedules
• Fees typically range $30-$100 depending on location
• May require advance scheduling and specific placement guidelines
• Some programs divert to recycling facilities

Professional Junk Removal

Private companies offer convenient removal services:

• Companies: 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Junk King, local services
• Cost: $75-$150 for single mattress pickup
• Pros: Convenient, same-day service often available
• Cons: Higher cost, varying environmental responsibility

Dumpster rental works best when disposing of multiple large items simultaneously.

How It Works

• Rent appropriately sized dumpster (10-30 cubic yards)
• Load mattress with other bulky items
• Provider handles pickup and disposal

Mattress-Specific Costs

Most companies charge an extra fee for mattresses—usually between $30 and $50 per mattress—due to the difficulty of compacting and processing these items at landfills.

Important Considerations

• Confirm mattress acceptance with rental company
• Ask about recycling policies vs. landfill disposal
• Most cost-effective for multiple bulky items
• Not all areas allow mattresses in dumpsters

Dropping off at a landfill is an option, but it's not the best way to dispose of a mattress. Choose this option only if all other alternatives are not available.

Environmental Impact

Mattresses dumped in landfills can take anywhere from 80 to 120 years before the mattress is fully decomposed. As mattresses break down in landfills, they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Practical Considerations

• Call ahead to confirm mattress acceptance
• Expect disposal fees ($20-$50 per mattress)
• May have condition restrictions or quantity limits
• Prepare mattress according to facility requirements (plastic wrapping, etc.)

Leaving a mattress on the street, abandoning it in an alley or setting it next to a dumpster is illegal in many cities nationwide.

Legal Consequences

Someone convicted of illegal dumping can be subjected to any or all of the following penalties: Incarceration. For misdemeanors, sentences typically carry a maximum one-year jail sentence. For felonies, the sentence can be a year or more in prison.

Additional penalties include:

• Fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars
• Vehicle seizure in some jurisdictions
• Criminal record affecting employment and housing opportunities
• Community service requirements

Not only does illegal dumping negatively impact the environment, there are also health and safety concerns, negative impacts to property values, and added costs for the city and residents for clean-ups.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Before donating or selling, thoroughly clean and sanitize your mattress. This prevents germ spread and makes the mattress more acceptable to recipients.

Preparation for Disposal

Depending on where and how you decide to dispose of your mattress, some locations have specific preparation guidelines:

• Plastic wrapping: Required in some municipalities to prevent pest spread
• Disassembly: Can save money on disposal fees in certain areas
• Documentation: Keep receipts from disposal services for proof of proper handling

Transportation Safety

• Secure properly to vehicle during transport
• Use protective covering to prevent road debris
• Check weight limits for your vehicle
• Consider professional service for difficult access or heavy items

Regulations and Guidelines

Mattress disposal regulations vary significantly by location. For example, in 2022, mattresses were banned from disposal or transport for disposal in Massachusetts, making recycling or donation mandatory in that state.

Before Disposing:

• Contact local waste management for specific guidelines
• Check city/county websites for disposal policies
• Verify HOA rules if applicable
• Understand penalties for improper disposal