A public resource guide
Atlanta Department of Public Works collects bulk items including mattresses on a published quarterly schedule. This guide covers every disposal option for Atlanta residents.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
This is a public resource guide for Atlanta residents. Below: the free city options, donation programs, state recycling law, and paid options when free won’t work for your situation.
On this page
The fastest free path for most residents is the City’s own bulk collection program.
Atlanta Department of Public Works (DPW) Solid Waste Services — bulk pickup
FreeEligibility: Single-family residential addresses with City Sanitation service.
How to schedule: Schedule by calling 404-330-6333 or use the ATL311 app. Bulk pickup runs on a published quarterly route schedule by district.
Set-out: Place items at curb during your district's scheduled bulk week. Items must be at curb by 7:00 AM Monday of collection week.
Cost: Free for City Sanitation customers.
Apartment complexes: Most Atlanta apartment complexes use private waste haulers. Contact property management for the building's mattress disposal process — many have on-site dumpsters or scheduled bulky pickup contracts.
Freemoval HQ: Freemoval is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Partner property expansion in Atlanta is active — ask your property manager whether your building participates in the program.
Freon items: Refrigerators, freezers, and A/C units are NOT picked up in regular bulk — they require alternate disposal (retailer haul-away or private hauler).
For complete Atlanta bulk waste rules beyond mattresses, see our Atlanta junk removal guide.
If your mattress is still in good condition — no significant stains, no bedbug history, less than ~7 years old — donation is the best path. Most programs offer free pickup.
Atlanta donation programs
Free for usable itemsHabitat for Humanity Atlanta ReStore: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, and building materials.
Salvation Army Atlanta: 1-800-SA-TRUCK or satruck.org.
Goodwill of North Georgia: Multiple Atlanta drop-off locations.
Atlanta Mission, Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Habitat: Local nonprofits accepting usable bedding for families in need.
What donation programs typically accept: Clean mattresses without significant tears or stains, no bedbug history, less than ~7 years old. Box springs are usually accepted with the same condition standards. Bed frames in working condition with all hardware.
What’s typically NOT accepted: Mattresses with bedbug history or visible insect activity, significant stains, mold, structural damage, or significantly worn condition. Always call ahead to confirm the program’s current standards.
Georgia does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses collected curbside are typically landfilled. Limited private recycling options in metro Atlanta.
Free options work for most Atlanta residents, but some situations need paid pickup: you’re moving out and can’t wait for the next scheduled bulk week; your apartment building doesn’t have free bulk service; you need in-home loading (mattress comes out of the bedroom, not the curb); or you’re disposing of multiple items at once and want it handled in a single trip.
LoadUp paid mattress pickup
$80+LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in Atlanta for upfront-priced mattress, box spring, and bed frame pickup. In-home loading included — you don’t carry the mattress to the curb.
What’s included: Loading from inside the home, hauling, and licensed disposal. No prep required beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80+ for a single mattress. Box spring + mattress + bed frame as a bundle is typically less than the sum of individual prices.
Other paid services: 1-800-Got-Junk, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Junk King Atlanta, and many Atlanta-area haulers serve the metro.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book a Atlanta mattress pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Box springs: Almost always handled the same as mattresses by city bulk programs and donation organizations. The state recycling laws above generally cover both mattresses AND box springs. Wrap requirements (where they exist) apply to box springs too.
Bed frames: Treated as regular bulky furniture, not mattresses. Most curbside bulky programs accept bed frames separately. Wood frames go to landfill or wood recycling. Metal frames are recyclable as scrap metal — if you have access to a scrap yard, they may pay you for the metal. Donation programs accept working bed frames with all hardware.
Headboards and footboards: Same as bed frames — bulky furniture, not mattresses. Donate if usable; place with bulky pickup if not.
Adjustable bed bases (motorized): Usually NOT accepted in standard mattress recycling because of the electronics and mechanics. Check if your retailer offers haul-away with new purchase. Otherwise, paid pickup is typical.
Is mattress removal really free in Atlanta?
Yes, the city offers free curbside or scheduled bulk pickup for mattresses, box springs, and bed frames through Atlanta Department of Public Works (DPW) Solid Waste Services — bulk pickup. Single-family residential addresses with City Sanitation service. Free options work for most residents. Paid pickup is only needed in specific situations like apartment buildings without free bulk service, mid-move scheduling that can't wait, or in-home loading requirements.
How do I schedule a free mattress pickup in Atlanta?
Schedule by calling 404-330-6333 or use the ATL311 app. Bulk pickup runs on a published quarterly route schedule by district.
Do mattresses have to be wrapped in plastic before pickup?
Atlanta does not require mattresses to be wrapped in plastic before curbside pickup. However, wrapping is still a best practice for bedbug prevention. Plastic mattress bags are inexpensive (around $5-15) and protect sanitation workers and other residents. If your mattress has any history of bedbugs, wrap it AND mark it clearly with 'BEDBUGS' in large letters.
Can I donate a used mattress instead of throwing it away?
Yes, if the mattress is in good condition. Atlanta-area programs that accept usable mattress donations include Habitat for Humanity Atlanta ReStore, Salvation Army Atlanta, Goodwill of North Georgia, among others listed above. They typically require no significant stains, no bedbug history, and less than ~7 years old. Call ahead to confirm the program's current standards before scheduling pickup. Donation is the most sustainable path for mattresses still in usable condition.
Does GA have a free mattress recycling program?
Georgia does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses collected curbside are typically landfilled. Limited private recycling options in metro Atlanta.
What about box springs and bed frames?
Box springs are handled the same as mattresses by Atlanta bulk programs and most donation organizations. The same set-out rules and wrap requirements (if any) apply to both. Bed frames are treated as regular bulky furniture rather than mattresses -- they're usually accepted in bulky pickup but may be in a separate disposal stream from the mattress itself. Metal bed frames can be recycled as scrap metal, sometimes for a small payment at scrap yards. Adjustable bed bases (motorized) are usually NOT accepted in standard mattress disposal -- they need retailer haul-away or paid pickup.
My building uses a private hauler. Can I still use city pickup?
Probably not for the building itself. Most apartment buildings and condos in Atlanta with 5+ units use private waste haulers under contract. The free city bulk program is for single-family and small multifamily addresses with direct City service. Contact your property manager for the building's mattress disposal process -- most properties have either an on-site bulky disposal arrangement or a coordinated pickup with the building's hauler. You may also be able to use a paid junk removal service that picks up directly from your unit.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, please contact us.