A public resource guide
DSNY offers free appointment-based bulk pickup for mattresses, box springs, and bed frames at NYC addresses. Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic. Donation programs and paid options also covered below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
This is a public resource guide for New York 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.
NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) bulk item appointment system
FreeEligibility: Single-family homes and small buildings with DSNY service. Large residential buildings work through building management.
How to schedule: Schedule online at nyc.gov/dsny or call 311.
Set-out: Set out at the curb the night before your scheduled pickup, after 4:00 PM. Items placed earlier may trigger violations.
Cost: Free. Some large items (boilers, items over 600 lbs) require special scheduling and may have fees.
Mattress wrapping requirement
RequiredNYC requires mattresses and box springs to be completely sealed in plastic before placement at the curb. Plastic mattress bags are sold at hardware stores and bedding retailers for around $5–$15. Unwrapped mattresses are subject to fines under NYC sanitation rules and may not be collected.
Apartment buildings (NYCHA, market-rate, co-op): Most large NYC residential buildings have their own bulky-item disposal arrangements through building management. Contact your superintendent or property management BEFORE scheduling a DSNY pickup — some buildings require items to go through the building’s service entrance, not the curb.
Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan: DSNY service applies to all five boroughs. Pickup schedules and set-out windows vary by route — the online system handles routing automatically when you enter your address.
Bedbug history: If your mattress has confirmed bedbug history, mark it clearly with “BEDBUGS” in large letters in addition to the required plastic wrap. This protects sanitation workers and other residents.
For complete New York bulk waste rules beyond mattresses, see our New York 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.
New York donation programs
Free for usable itemsHousing Works: NYC nonprofit operating thrift stores and providing housing services. Free pickup for usable furniture in good condition. Schedule at housingworks.org.
The Bowery Mission: Accepts gently used mattresses and bedding for transitional housing programs (subject to current need).
Habitat for Humanity NYC ReStore: Free pickup for furniture and building materials. Mattresses subject to condition requirements.
Salvation Army NYC: 1-800-SA-TRUCK or satruck.org.
Goodwill NYNJ: Multiple drop-off locations across the five boroughs.
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.
New York does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses set out for DSNY pickup are typically landfilled or incinerated. To recycle a mattress in NYC, you must contact a private recycler directly (limited options, fees apply).
Free options work for most New York 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
$95+LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in New York 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 $95+ 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 Luggers, and many local NYC haulers also 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 New York 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 New York?
Yes, the city offers free curbside or scheduled bulk pickup for mattresses, box springs, and bed frames through NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) bulk item appointment system. Single-family homes and small buildings with DSNY service. Large residential buildings work through building management. 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 New York?
Schedule online at https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/services/curbside-pickup/bulk.page (nyc.gov/dsny) or call 311.
Do mattresses have to be wrapped in plastic before pickup?
Yes. NYC requires mattresses and box springs to be completely sealed in plastic before placement at the curb. Plastic mattress bags are sold at hardware stores and bedding retailers for around $5–$15. Unwrapped mattresses are subject to fines under NYC sanitation rules and may not be collected.
Can I donate a used mattress instead of throwing it away?
Yes, if the mattress is in good condition. New York-area programs that accept usable mattress donations include Housing Works, The Bowery Mission, Habitat for Humanity NYC ReStore, 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 NY have a free mattress recycling program?
New York does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses set out for DSNY pickup are typically landfilled or incinerated. To recycle a mattress in NYC, you must contact a private recycler directly (limited options, fees apply).
What about box springs and bed frames?
Box springs are handled the same as mattresses by New York 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 New York 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.