How to Dispose of a Mattress and Box Spring
Most cities collect mattresses during designated bulk pickup weeks, but almost all municipal haulers now require mattresses and box springs to be fully sealed in plastic encasements to prevent worker exposure to bedbugs.
Municipal bulk limits range from 1 item per month up to 5 cubic yards per quarter. Always verify your local municipal hauler requirements before placing large items at the curb.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Verify whether your town has scheduled bulk collection weeks or requires scheduling an appointment at least 48 hours in advance.
Purchase a heavy-duty plastic mattress encasement bag from a home improvement store or online retailer. Tape all seams completely shut with duct tape.
Place the bagged mattress at the curb no earlier than the evening before collection, keeping it at least 3 feet clear of regular trash carts, mailboxes, and vehicles.
If you reside in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Oregon, take advantage of Bye Bye Mattress stewardship collection points for free recycling.
⚠️ Important Rules to Avoid Fines & Hazards
- Unwrapped mattresses will be tagged as non-compliant and left at the curb by sanitation crews in most major metro areas.
- Do not place mattresses inside automated rolling garbage carts.
- Futon frames and metal bedspring frames may need to be disassembled and placed in separate metal scrap piles depending on municipal regulations.
Our directory covers 164 verified US cities with direct contact numbers, hauler websites, and neighborhood collection rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will regular garbage trucks take a mattress?▼
Standard automated side-loader garbage trucks cannot compact mattresses because the heavy steel springs tangle in compactor blades. Mattresses must be collected by manual rear-loader bulk trucks.
Why do cities require mattresses to be wrapped in plastic?▼
Plastic wrapping protects sanitation workers from bedbugs, bodily fluids, mold spores, and waterlogged weight increases caused by rain.
Can I donate a used mattress to charity?▼
Most charities (including Goodwill and Salvation Army) no longer accept used mattresses due to health regulations, unless they are brand new and still in factory packaging.