Where to Dump a Mattress for Free: Every No-Cost Option

1. Free drop-off in states with mattress recycling laws

If you live in California, Connecticut, Oregon or Rhode Island, you can use Bye Bye Mattress, the Mattress Recycling Council's program. It's paid for by a recycling fee added to every new mattress sold in those states. According to the program's FAQ, residents can drop off mattresses and box springs at participating sites and events at no cost. In California and Oregon that applies in any condition. In Connecticut and Rhode Island, the unit needs to be in recyclable condition. Units that are soaked, frozen, moldy or infested may carry a fee depending on the site, so call first. Its locator at byebyemattress.com lists sites and collection events.

2. Free dump days and cleanup weeks

Mattresses are a staple of local free dump days. In 2026, Pine Bluff, Arkansas listed mattresses and box springs among accepted items for city residents. Brunswick County, North Carolina includes "brown goods" such as old furniture and mattresses in its Free Cleanup Week list. See how to find a free dump day near you.

3. Retailer take-back with a new mattress

When you buy a new mattress with delivery, ask whether the store will haul the old one away. Some include it, some charge a fee and some only do it for certain products. Ask before you check out, and make sure the old mattress is bagged or meets any condition rules.

4. Curbside bulk pickup

Many cities and haulers include a set number of bulky-item pickups with trash service, or hold scheduled bulk weeks. Some require the mattress to be wrapped in plastic. Look up your hauler's service guide or your city's sanitation page.

5. Donate or give it away

A clean mattress in good shape may be accepted by some charities and shelters, but many no longer take used bedding at all. Call first. Listing it free on a local marketplace often works too. Be upfront about its age and condition.

If you have to pay

Elsewhere, landfills and transfer stations usually charge a flat fee per mattress. In the 2026 fee schedules we checked, it ranged from $5 each in Outagamie County, Wisconsin to $15 at Wake County's South Wake Landfill and $40 in Larimer County, Colorado. Add mattresses as extras in the dump fee calculator to see the likely total. Our longer guide to getting rid of an old mattress covers hauling and bed bugs in detail.

Where to Dump a Mattress for Free FAQ

Where can I dump a mattress for free?

In California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island, use a Bye Bye Mattress drop-off site or event. Elsewhere, look for a free dump day, ask your mattress retailer about take-back, or use your city's bulk pickup.

Do I have to pay to dump a mattress at the landfill?

Often, yes. Many sites charge a flat per-mattress fee. In the public 2026 fee schedules we checked, it ranged from about $5 to $40.

Will a free program take a mattress with bed bugs?

Sometimes, with conditions. Many sites want an infested mattress sealed in plastic, and some charge or refuse it. Call the site before you go.

Can I leave a mattress at the curb?

Only if your city or hauler schedules it as a bulk pickup. An unscheduled mattress left at the curb or in an alley can be treated as illegal dumping.

The bottom line

The quickest free mattress option depends on your state: use a Bye Bye Mattress site in the four states with recycling laws, or watch for a free dump day elsewhere. Retailer take-back and bulk pickup can also cost nothing. If none of those fit, find a nearby site on the map and expect a modest per-item fee.