A public resource guide
Los Angeles Sanitation provides free bulky-item collection by appointment. California also runs the statewide Bye Bye Mattress recycling program. This guide covers every disposal option for LA residents.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
This is a public resource guide for Los Angeles residents. Below: the free city options, donation programs, state recycling law, and paid options when free won’t work for your situation.
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The fastest free path for most residents is the City’s own bulk collection program.
Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) bulky item collection
FreeEligibility: Single-family residential and small multifamily LASAN customers.
How to schedule: Call 1-800-773-2489 or schedule online at lacitysan.org. Allow at least 2 weeks notice for scheduling.
Set-out: Place items at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled pickup day, not earlier than the night before. Items must be visible from the street and not blocking sidewalks.
Cost: Free for LASAN residential customers. Multifamily complexes coordinate through building management.
Multifamily / apartment complexes: LA bulky pickup rules vary by building type. Apartment dwellers should check with building management before placing items at the curb — some properties have private hauler contracts and require coordinated pickup.
Mattress recycling vs. landfill: When LASAN collects your mattress curbside, it may be sent to landfill OR routed to a Bye Bye Mattress recycling facility depending on current capacity. To guarantee recycling, take it to a participating Bye Bye Mattress drop-off yourself.
For complete Los Angeles bulk waste rules beyond mattresses, see our Los Angeles 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.
Los Angeles donation programs
Free for usable itemsHabitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles ReStore: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, and building materials. Mattresses subject to condition requirements.
Salvation Army Southern California: 1-800-SA-TRUCK or satruck.org.
Goodwill Southern California: Multiple LA drop-off locations.
Bargain Center / Out of the Closet: Local thrift programs accept usable bedding.
LA Mission, Union Rescue Mission, PATH: Local nonprofits sometimes accept bedding for transitional housing (call ahead).
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.
California has the Bye Bye Mattress program — a free statewide mattress recycling program funded by a small fee on mattress sales. Residents can drop off mattresses at participating recycling facilities at no cost. Find your nearest location at byebyemattress.com.
How Bye Bye Mattress works: When you buy a new mattress in California, a small recycling fee (typically $10.50–$16) is added to the purchase. That fee funds the statewide recycling network, which then accepts mattresses free at participating facilities. Drop-off is free regardless of where you bought the original mattress.
What gets recycled: Mattresses and box springs only. Bed frames are NOT included in Bye Bye Mattress — they go through standard bulky disposal (curbside, donation, or paid pickup). Steel, foam, and cotton are separated and recycled into other products.
Free options work for most Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 LA, and many local LA haulers serve the area.
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 Los Angeles 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.
If you’re actually in or near another city, see these guides: Irvine, Santa Ana.
Is mattress removal really free in Los Angeles?
Yes, the city offers free curbside or scheduled bulk pickup for mattresses, box springs, and bed frames through Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) bulky item collection. Single-family residential and small multifamily LASAN customers. 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 Los Angeles?
Call 1-800-773-2489 or schedule online at https://www.lacitysan.org (lacitysan.org). Allow at least 2 weeks notice for scheduling.
Do mattresses have to be wrapped in plastic before pickup?
Los Angeles 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. Los Angeles-area programs that accept usable mattress donations include Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles ReStore, Salvation Army Southern California, Goodwill Southern California, 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 CA have a free mattress recycling program?
California has the Bye Bye Mattress program — a free statewide mattress recycling program funded by a small fee on mattress sales. Residents can drop off mattresses at participating recycling facilities at no cost. Find your nearest location at byebyemattress.com.
What about box springs and bed frames?
Box springs are handled the same as mattresses by Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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.