Where to Dump an Old Mattress

Updated 2026-09-25. General guidance only: local rules vary, so check with your county or the facility.

Show landfills / dumps + transfer stations on the map

Mattresses are one of the most annoying things to get rid of. They're big, floppy and hard to load, and many haulers and landfills treat them as special items with their own fee. A little planning makes it much easier.

Your main options

Retailer take-back. Many stores that deliver a new mattress will haul the old one away, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. Ask before you buy, because the offer usually has to be arranged at the time of delivery.

State mattress recycling programs. A few states have mattress stewardship programs funded by a small fee on new mattress sales, which pay for free drop-off sites and collection events. The Mattress Recycling Council runs these programs under the Bye Bye Mattress name, and its site at byebyemattress.com lists drop-off locations in participating states.

Mattress recyclers. In some areas, recycling companies take mattresses apart to recover steel springs, foam, fiber and wood. Some accept drop-offs from the public for a fee.

Transfer stations and landfills. Many accept mattresses and box springs, often at a per-item fee rather than by weight, because mattresses are bulky and hard to compact.

Bulk trash pickup. Many cities and trash haulers offer bulky-item pickup, sometimes on a set schedule and sometimes by appointment. Rules on bagging are common (see below).

Donation. Some charities accept mattresses in very good, clean condition, but many don't take used bedding at all because of hygiene rules. Always call first.

Bed bugs and bagging

If a mattress has bed bugs, don't donate it or leave it where someone might pick it up. Seal it in a heavy mattress bag, and consider marking it as infested so nobody takes it home. Many cities require mattresses to be bagged in plastic for curbside pickup anyway, to protect collection crews and keep pests from spreading.

How to haul a mattress yourself

A queen mattress fits in most full-size pickup beds, either flat or angled on the wheel wells. A king may hang over the tailgate.
Mattresses catch wind like a sail. Strap them down with at least two ratchet straps over the top, not just a rope through the handles. Don't carry a mattress on a car roof unless you have a proper rack and straps, and even then drive slowly.
A mattress bag keeps it clean and makes it easier to grip.
Box springs are lighter but awkward; carry them separately or stack them under the mattress.

Why fees vary

Mattress fees depend on whether your area has a state recycling program, whether the site charges by item or by weight, the size (twin through king), and resident versus non-resident rates. Some sites charge the same for a box spring as for a mattress; others charge less.

Before you go

Call the site to confirm they take mattresses from residents, the fee per piece, and whether they need to be dry. Wet mattresses weigh far more and some recyclers refuse them.

Show landfills and transfer stations on the map, estimate costs with the dump cost calculator, or read our longer post on how to get rid of an old mattress.

Find a place near you

Open the map with landfills / dumps + transfer stations switched on, or only show listings that mention mattresses (fewer results, because most listings don't list materials). You can also estimate weight and cost with the dump cost calculator.