A public resource guide
Mattresses are one of the hardest household items to dispose of legally, banned from landfills in 4 states, illegal to dump everywhere, and a primary vector for bedbug spread. Here’s every legitimate option.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Mattresses are uniquely challenging: they’re too big for trash bins, illegal to dump, banned from landfills in Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, and Oregon, and they’re a primary vector for bedbug spread (which is why several cities require plastic-wrap before pickup). The good news: every U.S. city has at least one free or low-cost legitimate disposal path. The hard part is figuring out which one fits your timeline and location. This guide covers all of them, including state mattress recycling programs, free curbside pickup options, donation programs that pickup, retailer haul-away with new mattress delivery, and detailed city-by-city rules across 108 U.S. cities.
On this page
Mattresses contain springs, foam, fabric, and wood, all recyclable individually but bonded together in a way that makes them hard to process. They’re also a notorious vector for bedbugs, which has led several cities to require plastic-wrapping before curbside pickup (NYC and Cleveland have explicit rules).
Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, and Oregon have passed mattress producer-funded recycling programs (the Mattress Recycling Council’s “Bye Bye Mattress” program at byebyemattress.com). In those states, mattress recycling is largely free at participating drop-off sites, the cost was already paid through a small fee on the original mattress purchase.
Outside those states, options vary widely: some cities offer free curbside pickup as standard bulk service, others charge per-mattress fees, others ban mattresses from regular bulk and require special handling.
In order from most universal to most location-specific:
State Mattress Recycling Programs (CT, RI, CA, OR)
Free, state programsIf you live in Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, or Oregon, your state has a producer-funded mattress recycling program. Drop-off is FREE at participating sites, find your nearest at byebyemattress.com. The program is funded by a small fee on new mattress sales (already paid when you bought it). 80%+ of mattress materials are recovered.
Donation Pickup (Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, Furniture Banks)
Free, if usableMattresses in good condition (no significant stains, tears, sagging, or bedbug history) qualify for free pickup by donation programs. Most major nonprofits operate in 50+ U.S. metros.
Watch the rules: Donation programs have stricter mattress rules than other furniture, they often require plastic-wrap and proof of cleanliness. Call ahead to confirm what your local chapter accepts.
Furniture Bank Network: Specifically supplies mattresses to families transitioning out of homelessness. High-impact channel if your mattress is in good shape.
Retailer Haul-Away with New Mattress Delivery
Free with purchaseMost major mattress retailers (Mattress Firm, Tuft & Needle, Casper, Saatva, Helix, IKEA, Costco) include free old-mattress haul-away with new mattress delivery. This is often the easiest option if you’re replacing your mattress anyway, the same delivery truck takes the old one away.
Confirm at purchase: Some online-only retailers may charge an extra fee or only haul-away if the new mattress is similar size. Ask explicitly during checkout.
City Curbside Bulk Pickup
Free in many citiesMost major U.S. cities offer mattresses as part of free bulky waste pickup, either weekly, monthly, by appointment, or twice-yearly. Rules vary widely. Check the city section below for your local rules.
When free options don’t fit your timeline or volume:
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For households who need same-day or in-home pickup, exceed city bulk limits, can’t wait for a state program drop-off, or want full-service hauling, LoadUp offers professional mattress removal nationwide with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal at certified mattress recyclers where available.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book a mattress pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Other Paid Junk Removal Services
$80–$200Other national services include 1-800-Got-Junk and College Hunks Hauling Junk, with similar pricing. Local independent haulers in most metros offer competitive pricing for single-item mattress removal, typically $50–$100 if you find a smaller operator.
Mattress disposal rules vary dramatically by city, some offer free weekly bulk pickup with no appointment, others require plastic-wrap to prevent bedbug spread, and a few have no city service at all (San Diego notably). The summaries below show the headline rule per city, tap any city to read the full guide.
Albuquerque, NM Launching
Free year-round bulky pickup with 24-hr notice via Solid Waste at 311.
View Albuquerque guide →
Arlington, TX Launching
Bi-weekly bulk pickup on recycling day (1 item, under 35 lbs). Donation if usable. TX has no state mattress recycling program.
View Arlington guide →
Atlanta, GA Launching
Free monthly bulky pickup via Atlanta 311.
View Atlanta guide →
Anaheim, CA Launching
Republic Services bulky pickup (3/year, 10 items, call 714-238-2444). CA Bye Bye Mattress recycling. Donation if usable.
View Anaheim guide →
Anchorage, AK Launching
SWS Saturday bulk pickup (fee). Anchorage Regional Landfill in Eagle River. Donation if usable.
View Anchorage guide →
Akron, OH Launching
Weekly curbside collection (no appointment). Ohio has no current state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Akron guide →
Allentown, PA Launching
Bulk on second collection night. PA has no current state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Allentown guide →
Aurora, CO Launching
Hauler bulk pickup (varies by hauler). Donation if usable. CO has no state mattress recycling program.
View Aurora guide →
Austin, TX Launching
Twice-yearly Bulk Collection by zone via Austin Resource Recovery.
View Austin guide →
Augusta, GA Launching
Weekly curbside bulk (10 cu yd, max 5 ft, no appointment). GA has no state mattress recycling program.
View Augusta guide →
Bakersfield, CA Launching
2 free pickups/month by appt (661-326-3114). CA Bye Bye Mattress recycling. Donation if usable.
View Bakersfield guide →
Baltimore, MD Launching
Free curbside bulk pickup by appointment via Baltimore 311.
View Baltimore guide →
Baton Rouge, LA Launching
Weekly out-of-cart pickup (curbside by 4 AM). LA has no state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Baton Rouge guide →
Bridgeport, CT Launching
Transfer Station (475 Asylum St). Seasonal Bulk Program when active. CT has no state mattress recycling program.
View Bridgeport guide →
Boise, ID Launching
1 of 6 free large item pickups per year. ID has no state mattress recycling program.
View Boise guide →
Birmingham, AL Launching
Quarterly bulk pickup by neighborhood, check schedule with Public Works.
View Birmingham guide →
Boston, MA Launching
Free curbside bulk pickup via BOS:311, mattresses banned from MA landfills.
View Boston guide →
Buffalo, NY Launching
FREE 2-piece weekly bulk allowance, just place at curb on collection day.
View Buffalo guide →
Camden, NJ Launching
3-item weekly bulk limit; mattress counts as 1 item. Donation if usable. NJ has no state mattress recycling program.
View Camden guide →
Charlotte, NC Launching
Appointment-based bulk pickup via CLT+, strict 75-pound item weight limit.
View Charlotte guide →
Cape Coral, FL Launching
Free curbside bulk on collection day. FL has no state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Cape Coral guide →
Chattanooga, TN Launching
FREE area-rotation Brush & Bulky, place during your area's collection week.
View Chattanooga guide →
Chesapeake, VA Launching
Bulk trash request via 757-382-CITY by 5 PM workday before. Donation if usable. VA has no state mattress recycling program.
View Chesapeake guide →
Chicago, IL Launching
Free Bulk Pickup via 311, mattress recycling required by city ordinance.
View Chicago guide →
Cincinnati, OH Launching
Free curbside Bulky Item Pickup with 24-hr notice via Cincinnati 311.
View Cincinnati guide →
Colorado Springs, CO Launching
No city pickup. Call your hauler. CO has a mattress recycling program (MRC). Donation if usable. Paid LoadUp.
View Colorado Springs guide →
Cleveland, OH Launching
Monthly Bulk Pickup, plastic-wrap rule for soft items to prevent bedbug spread.
View Cleveland guide →
Columbia, SC Launching
Free Bulky Item Pickup by appointment, 40-lb per-item weight limit.
View Columbia guide →
Columbus, OH Launching
Must-schedule-first 311 bulk pickup system.
View Columbus guide →
Dallas, TX Launching
Monthly Brush & Bulky Trash collection by zone.
View Dallas guide →
Des Moines, IA Launching
$5 Large Item Sticker per piece. Iowa has no state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Des Moines guide →
Durham, NC Launching
Free bulky pickup (up to 3 items per request, call 919-560-1200). Donation if usable. NC has no state mattress recycling program.
View Durham guide →
El Paso, TX Launching
Fee-based curbside bulky ($35 first 5 cu yd). Free self-haul to Citizen Collection Station. Salvation Army accepts usable mattresses free.
View El Paso guide →
Denver, CO Launching
Annual Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-Off + Large Item pickup ($30 fee).
View Denver guide →
Detroit, MI Launching
Free monthly Bulk Pickup by route, check Detroit Recycles for schedule.
View Detroit guide →
Fresno, CA Launching
Operation Clean Up, free annual curbside pickup, 10 cubic yards.
View Fresno guide →
Fayetteville / Bentonville, AR Launching
Fayetteville: 1 free curbside/year (479-575-8398). Transfer Station drop-off. AR has no state mattress recycling program.
View Fayetteville / Bentonville guide →
Fort Worth, TX Launching
Free monthly bulk pile (up to 10 cu yd) or Drop-Off Station. Donation if usable. TX has no state mattress recycling program.
View Fort Worth guide →
Grand Rapids, MI Launching
$40 Bulk Sticker REQUIRED. Mattress MUST be plastic-wrapped before curbside placement. Michigan has no current state mattress recycling program.
View Grand Rapids guide →
Greensboro, NC Launching
Free bi-weekly bulk pickup (same day as recycling, max 50 lbs). Donation if usable.
View Greensboro guide →
Greenville, SC Launching
Free bulk pickup by appointment (864-467-4345 or 864-232-6721). SC has no state mattress recycling program.
View Greenville guide →
Hartford, CT Launching
Free Bulky Waste, 2 free per year per unit. CT state mattress recycling at byebyemattress.com.
View Hartford guide →
Henderson, NV Launching
Bi-weekly bulk MUST be wrapped in plastic for sanitation. Donation if usable. NV has no state mattress recycling program.
View Henderson guide →
Honolulu, HI Launching
Bulky appointment at honolulu.gov/opala. HI has no state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Honolulu guide →
Houston, TX Launching
Heavy Trash Day Pickup, first full week of each month, no appointment.
View Houston guide →
Indianapolis, IN Launching
Curbside Bulky Pickup with appointment via Indy 311.
View Indianapolis guide →
Irvine, CA Launching
2 free WM bulky pickups/year (4 GPN). CA Bye Bye Mattress recycling. Donation if usable.
View Irvine guide →
Jackson, MS Launching
Special bulk pickup via Public Works (601-960-1875). MS has no state mattress recycling program. Donation programs available.
View Jackson guide →
Jacksonville, FL Launching
Weekly bulk pickup with no appointment for most items.
View Jacksonville guide →
Kansas City, MO Launching
FREE Bulky Item Pickup by appointment, 15 items per appointment, 500-lb max.
View Kansas City guide →
Knoxville, TN Launching
FREE WEEKLY bulk pickup, NO appointment, 5 items per week limit.
View Knoxville guide →
Lakeland, FL Launching
1 of 4 free bulk collections/year (call 863-834-8773). FL has no state mattress recycling program.
View Lakeland guide →
Las Vegas, NV Launching
Republic Services bulk pickup with appointment, check service rules.
View Las Vegas guide →
Lexington, KY Launching
Free LexCall 311 bulky pickup. Bedbug-infested: call 311 first for special instructions. Donation if usable.
View Lexington guide →
Lincoln, NE Launching
Hauler bulk (Husker Refuse: 1 free/month). Bluff Road Landfill self-haul. Donation if usable. NE has no state mattress recycling program.
View Lincoln guide →
Long Beach, CA Launching
Special Collection (12/year, max 72x48 inches, 40 lbs). CA Bye Bye Mattress recycling. Donation if usable.
View Long Beach guide →
Los Angeles, CA Launching
Free LA Sanitation Bulky Item Pickup (3 items/year per single-family home).
View Los Angeles guide →
Louisville, KY Launching
Junk Set Out Day program, quarterly by neighborhood.
View Louisville guide →
Madison, WI Launching
Free large item pickup (work order required). WI has no state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Madison guide →
Memphis, TN Launching
Twice-monthly Outside-the-Cart bulk pickup.
View Memphis guide →
Mesa, AZ Launching
Bulk pickup at $29/load (call 480-644-6789). Donation if usable. AZ has no state mattress recycling program.
View Mesa guide →
McAllen, TX Launching
Monthly Brush and Bulky. Drop-off at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd. TX has no state mattress recycling program.
View McAllen guide →
Miami, FL Launching
Free bulky pickup with appointment via Miami 311.
View Miami guide →
Milwaukee, WI Launching
FREE 1-cubic-yard weekly bulk, PREPAID STICKER REQUIRED.
View Milwaukee guide →
Minneapolis, MN Launching
Free bulky pickup by appointment via Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling.
View Minneapolis guide →
Nashville, TN Launching
Free monthly bulk pickup via Metro Nashville 311.
View Nashville guide →
New Orleans, LA Launching
Free monthly bulk pickup, check New Orleans Sanitation schedule.
View New Orleans guide →
New York, NY Launching
No-appointment large item rule, max 6 per collection day. Bedbug rule: plastic-wrap mattresses.
View New York guide →
Newark, NJ Launching
Newark Bulk Trash, quarterly by ward.
View Newark guide →
North Las Vegas, NV Launching
Bulk pickup MUST be plastic-wrapped if soiled. Cheyenne Transfer Station alternative. NV has no state mattress recycling program.
View North Las Vegas guide →
Norfolk, VA Launching
Bulk waste request via MyNorfolk by 3 PM day before. VA has no state mattress recycling program.
View Norfolk guide →
Oakland, CA Launching
FREE bulky pickup AND drop-off (4 cu yd each) for ALL residents including renters.
View Oakland guide →
Omaha, NE Launching
Free Spring/Fall Cleanup events (self-haul). NE has no state mattress recycling. Paid LoadUp year-round.
View Omaha guide →
Oklahoma City, OK Launching
OKC Big Trash, weekly bulk pickup, no appointment needed.
View Oklahoma City guide →
Orlando, FL Launching
Orlando bulk pickup with 24-hr notice via 311.
View Orlando guide →
Philadelphia, PA Launching
Philly Streets Department bulk pickup, included with regular trash, weekly.
View Philadelphia guide →
Phoenix, AZ Launching
Phoenix Uncontained Trash, quarterly by zone, no appointment.
View Phoenix guide →
Pittsburgh, PA Launching
Pittsburgh Bulk Set-Out Days, quarterly by zone.
View Pittsburgh guide →
Plano, TX Launching
Bulky waste request via 972-941-7141 (free, 2 working days advance). Donation if usable. TX has no state mattress recycling program.
View Plano guide →
Portland, OR Launching
Assigned-hauler model with city-set rates, free Bye Bye Mattress drop-off.
View Portland guide →
Providence, RI Launching
Paid Waste Management appointment OR FREE Saturday Mattress Drop-off Center.
View Providence guide →
Provo, UT Launching
Seasonal cleanup dumpsters or SUVSWD transfer station. UT has no state mattress recycling program.
View Provo guide →
Rochester, NY Launching
Free curbside bulk on regular refuse day (no appt). NY state mattress recycling program (Bye Bye Mattress). Donation if usable.
View Rochester guide →
Raleigh, NC Launching
Raleigh weekly bulk pickup with regular trash, place at curb.
View Raleigh guide →
Reno, NV Launching
1 free bulky item at Lockwood Landfill (Mon-Sat) OR transfer station trip. Donation if usable.
View Reno guide →
Richmond, VA Launching
Richmond DPU bulk pickup with appointment.
View Richmond guide →
Riverside, CA Launching
Appointment bulky pickup (2/year, 951-826-5311) or free Agua Mansa 3rd Saturday drop-off. CA Bye Bye Mattress recycling program applies.
View Riverside guide →
Sacramento, CA Launching
Sacramento Bulky Waste Pickup, 2 free per year.
View Sacramento guide →
Saint Paul, MN Launching
FREE unlimited via Second Chance Recycling year-round (separate from bulky limit). Schedule at stpaul.gov.
View Saint Paul guide →
San Jose, CA Launching
Unlimited free junk pickup via hauler. CA Bye Bye Mattress state recycling applies. Donation if usable.
View San Jose guide →
Salt Lake City, UT Launching
Free Call 2 Haul bulky pickup (1/year, slc.gov/sustainability/call-2-haul). UT has no state mattress recycling program.
View Salt Lake City guide →
San Antonio, TX Launching
San Antonio Brush & Bulky, twice yearly by zone.
View San Antonio guide →
San Diego, CA Launching
No city bulky pickup, use free Mattress Recycling at byebyemattress.com.
View San Diego guide →
San Francisco, CA Launching
FREE Recology Bulky Item Recycling, RECOLOGY sign required, 100-lb item limit.
View San Francisco guide →
Seattle, WA Launching
Seattle Public Utilities Extra Item Pickup, charge per item.
View Seattle guide →
Spokane, WA Launching
Load Truck service (call 311 in advance). WA has no current state mattress recycling program. Donation if usable.
View Spokane guide →
St. Louis, MO Launching
St. Louis Bulky Trash Pickup with 24-hr notice via Citizens Service Bureau.
View St. Louis guide →
St. Petersburg, FL Launching
Free Special Pickup (CALL 727-893-7398 FIRST). Donation if usable. FL has no state mattress recycling program.
View St. Petersburg guide →
Stockton, CA Launching
Clean Sweep 1 free/year Feb-Oct (209-946-5711). CA Bye Bye Mattress recycling. Donation if usable.
View Stockton guide →
Syracuse, NY Launching
1 of 4 free bulk pickups/year (Cityline 315-448-2489). NY state mattress recycling applies. Donation if usable.
View Syracuse guide →
Tampa, FL Launching
Tampa S.W.E.E.P. annual free bulk pickup (up to 10 cubic yards).
View Tampa guide →
Tucson, AZ Launching
FREE Brush & Bulky Plus, twice per year per zone, 10 cu yd per event.
View Tucson guide →
Tulsa, OK Launching
Fee-based bulky pickup ($10 per 8 cu yd, tulsa311.com). Donation if usable. OK has no state mattress recycling program.
View Tulsa guide →
Virginia Beach, VA Launching
FREE Bulky/Large Item Pickup by appointment via VB311, 2-week advance request.
View Virginia Beach guide →
Washington, DC Launching
DC DPW Bulk Trash with appointment via 311.
View Washington guide →
Wichita, KS Launching
Hauler bulk pickup (varies). Self-haul to Brooks Landfill ($25-$52/ton). Donation if usable. KS has no state mattress recycling program.
View Wichita guide →
Winston-Salem, NC Launching
Annual Bulky Item Pick-Up during scheduled week. Hanes Mill Road Landfill year-round.
View Winston-Salem guide →
Worcester, MA Launching
MA mattress recycling law applies. Drop-Off Center at 1065 Millbury St (appt, fee varies from $5). Curbside via Casella 508-832-2349.
View Worcester guide →
Can I just put a mattress in my regular trash?
No. Mattresses are too big for residential trash bins and are explicitly banned from regular trash collection in most U.S. cities. Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, and Oregon ban mattresses from landfills entirely under state law. Use one of the free or paid options above instead.
How much do paid mattress pickups cost?
Single mattress pickups typically range $80–$200 depending on the service and your city. National services (LoadUp, 1-800-Got-Junk, College Hunks) cluster in the $80–$130 range for one mattress. Local independent haulers can be cheaper ($50–$100). Booking 2 mattresses together is often only marginally more expensive than booking 1, ask about bundled pricing.
What about box springs, are they treated the same?
Yes, box springs follow the same rules as mattresses in nearly every city, same pickup eligibility, same disposal channels, same bedbug-wrap requirements. State recycling programs (CT, RI, CA, OR) accept both. Most retailers haul both away together with new mattress delivery. King and queen splits typically count as 2 separate items, while single-piece box springs count as 1.
My mattress has bedbugs, what should I do?
Plastic-wrap the mattress fully before moving it (heavy-duty mattress disposal bags are sold at hardware stores for $5–$15). Many cities require plastic-wrapping for ANY mattress disposal to prevent spreading bedbugs to other households along the route. Donation programs CANNOT accept mattresses with bedbug history. Use city bulk pickup (with proper plastic-wrapping) or paid hauler. Tell the hauler in advance, some services charge extra or refuse, while others handle bedbug mattresses routinely.
Why are mattresses banned from landfills in some states?
Mattresses take up significant landfill space (a queen mattress takes up roughly 23 cubic feet) and contain materials that can be recycled if processed properly: steel springs (for steel mills), foam (for carpet padding), fabric (for shoddy fiber), and wood (for mulch). Connecticut (2015), Rhode Island (2015), California (2015), and Oregon (2022) passed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that require mattress producers to fund end-of-life recycling. Funding comes from a small fee on new mattress sales, which means residents in those states get free recycling at participating sites.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.