How to Dispose of a Mattress the Right Way

If you're figuring out how to dispose of a mattress, the easiest route is usually to have it taken away when your new one is delivered, if the retailer offers removal. If that's not an option, your best choices are donating it (if it's in good, clean condition), taking it to a mattress recycler, booking your city's bulky-item pickup, or hiring a junk removal service.

What you shouldn't do is leave it on the curb without checking local rules. Many cities and towns only collect mattresses on scheduled days or by appointment, and some require the mattress to be wrapped in plastic.

Here's how each option works, what it typically involves, and how to pick the right one for your situation.

Quick comparison: ways to get rid of a mattress

Costs vary widely by location, so check local options before you decide.

1. Ask about haul-away when you buy a new mattress

Many retailers and some online brands offer to remove your old mattress when they deliver the new one. It's often bundled with white-glove delivery, where a crew brings the mattress in and sets it up. Some include removal for free, others charge a fee, and boxed mattresses shipped by parcel carriers usually don't include it at all.

Among the mattresses we track, the Saatva Classic and Saatva Latex Hybrid list free white-glove delivery. Ask whether old-mattress removal is included and whether there's a fee before you order. Retailers that offer haul-away often recycle the old mattress rather than sending it to a landfill, but if that matters to you, ask.

2. Donate a mattress in good condition

If your mattress is clean, free of stains, rips and sagging, and has no signs of bed bugs, someone may be able to use it. Options include:

• Local charities, shelters and refugee resettlement groups
• Thrift stores and furniture banks
• Community groups and neighborhood sharing networks

Many large charities and thrift stores don't accept mattresses because of hygiene rules or limited storage, and policies vary by location. Call ahead. Some charities offer free pickup for large items.

Be honest about the condition. A mattress that's sagging or stained is better recycled.

3. Recycle your mattress

A large share of a mattress can be recycled. Steel springs can be melted down, foam can be shredded into carpet padding, and wood and fibers can be reused. Recycling keeps bulky mattresses out of landfills, where they take up a lot of space.

State mattress recycling programs

California, Connecticut and Rhode Island have state mattress recycling programs run by the Mattress Recycling Council through its Bye Bye Mattress program. In these states, a recycling fee is collected when you buy a new mattress, and residents can drop off used mattresses at participating collection sites and recycling facilities, often at no charge. Visit the Bye Bye Mattress website to find drop-off locations.

Other states have been considering or adopting similar laws, so check your state's environmental agency for current options.

Elsewhere

Outside those states, search for a mattress recycling facility near you or ask your local solid waste department. Some recyclers charge a modest drop-off fee, and some offer pickup.

4. Use your city's bulky-item pickup

Many municipalities collect mattresses as bulky waste, either on a scheduled day or by appointment. Some include a set number of bulky pickups in your trash service; others charge per item. Your local public works or sanitation department website will explain the rules.

Common requirements include:

• Booking an appointment in advance
• Placing the mattress at the curb only on the designated day
• Wrapping it in a sealed plastic mattress bag, which some cities require to reduce bed bug spread

You can also take a mattress to a local transfer station or landfill yourself if you have a vehicle that fits it. Expect a fee in many areas.

5. Hire a junk removal service

Junk removal companies will haul a mattress from inside your home, which is useful if you can't move it yourself or need it gone quickly. This is usually the most expensive option, and prices vary by location and by how many items you're removing. Ask whether they donate or recycle what they collect.

6. Sell it, give it away or repurpose it

If your mattress is fairly new and in excellent condition, you might sell it or give it away through local marketplaces. Be upfront about its age and condition. Some states and cities regulate the resale of used bedding, so check before you sell.

You can also repurpose a mattress for a guest bed or a kid's play area, or take it apart: springs, wood frames and fabric can sometimes be recycled separately. Dismantling is time-consuming, though, so most people are better off using a recycler.

How to prepare a mattress for disposal

• Check for bed bugs. If you find signs of them, don't donate or sell the mattress. Wrap it in plastic, label it, and follow your city's disposal rules.
• Bag it. A plastic mattress bag keeps it clean during transport and is required for pickup in some areas.
• Measure your route. Bulky mattresses can be awkward to get down stairs and through doors. Get help to avoid injury.
• Line up timing. If you're buying a new mattress, schedule removal to coincide with delivery so you're not storing two.

Before you get rid of it: is it really worn out?

If you're not sure it's time, our guide to how long mattresses last covers the warning signs. If you are replacing it, our how to choose a mattress guide and the best mattress in a box list are good starting points, and the best time to buy a mattress guide can help you save.

One more tip: if you're returning a new mattress during its trial, the brand handles that process. Many brands arrange pickup and donate or recycle the returned mattress. See our mattress trial and return policies guide.