Cheap mattress disposal starts at $89 through Dropcurb's curbside pickup: book online, set it at the curb, done same day. Free options exist (city bulk pickup, Bye Bye Mattress recycling in CA/CT/OR/RI) but take 2-8 weeks. DIY with a Home Depot truck rental runs $19-50 total.
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| Method | Cost | Speed | Effort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City bulk pickup | Free | 2-8 weeks | Schedule + bag it | No rush, mattress at curb |
| Bye Bye Mattress recycling | Free | Drop-off only | Drive to facility | CA, CT, OR, RI residents |
| Home Depot truck + dump | $19-50 | Same day | Load, drive, unload | Own the muscle, save money |
| Dropcurb | From $89 | Same day | Set at curb, book online | Want it gone today, no hassle |
| Traditional full-service junk removal | Current local quote | Varies by local availability | Confirm with provider | Full-service; confirm included scope |
| Mattress retailer haul-away | $49-99 | With new delivery | Buy new mattress | Already buying a replacement |
| Dumpster rental | $300-400/week | 1-2 days delivery | Load it yourself | Only if cleaning out entire room |
What Is the Cheapest Way to Dispose of a Mattress?
The absolute cheapest mattress disposal is free city bulk pickup, but you'll wait 2-8 weeks depending on your municipality. NYC residents can set mattresses curbside in sealed bags on regular trash days at no cost. Most other cities require scheduling through 311 or their waste department.
If you live in California, Connecticut, Oregon, or Rhode Island, the Bye Bye Mattress program offers free drop-off recycling at hundreds of locations. California alone has recycled over 12 million mattresses since the program launched. The catch: you need a vehicle large enough to transport the mattress yourself.
The cheapest same-day option is renting a Home Depot truck for $19 (75 minutes) and driving to your local transfer station or dump. Dump fees run $10-30 for a mattress in most areas. Total cost: $29-50 if you have someone to help you load.
Dropcurb charges from $89 for same-day curbside mattress pickup: no truck rental, no dump run, no loading. Set the mattress at your curb, book online in 60 seconds, and a local hauler picks it up. The premium over DIY buys back 2-3 hours of your time.
How Much Does Got Junk Charge to Pick Up a Mattress?
Traditional full-service junk removal charges $130-250+ for mattress removal based on your location. They don't publish exact prices: you must schedule a free on-site estimate where a uniformed crew arrives in a branded truck, looks at your mattress, and quotes a price on the spot.
Their volume-based pricing means a single mattress fills roughly an eighth of their truck, putting most quotes at $130-180. A mattress and box spring together run $180-250+. If you add a bed frame, expect $200-300+.
The hidden cost: your time. The on-site estimate requires you to be home during a 2-hour arrival window. If the quoted price feels too high, they leave and you start over with another company.
For comparison, Dropcurb picks up a curbside mattress from $89, with no phone call, no estimate and no waiting for a truck.
Free Mattress Disposal Options That Actually Work
Not every "free" mattress disposal option lives up to the promise. Here's what actually works and what doesn't.
City bulk pickup (free, most cities): Call 311 or schedule online. NYC offers unlimited curbside furniture disposal — just bag the mattress in a sealed plastic bag. Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas all offer scheduled bulk pickup, but wait times range from 1 to 8 weeks. Some cities limit pickups to 2-4 per year.
Bye Bye Mattress (free, 4 states): Drop off at any participating facility in California, Connecticut, Oregon, or Rhode Island. The program is funded by a $16 recycling fee collected when you buy a new mattress. Over 700 collection sites across these four states.
Retailer take-back (free with purchase): California law requires mattress retailers to take your old mattress when delivering a new one at no additional cost. Outside California, most major retailers charge $49-99 for haul-away: Mattress Firm ($49.99), Mattress Warehouse ($49.99), and Sleep Number ($99).
What doesn't work: Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity ReStores rarely accept mattresses due to bedbug and hygiene concerns. Goodwill generally declines mattresses. Don't count on charity donation as your disposal plan.
Skip the 8-week wait. Get your mattress picked up curbside from $89. Same day, no hassle.
Book Mattress PickupHow Much Is It to Dispose of a Mattress Near Me?
Mattress disposal costs vary significantly by city. Here are real prices from the top metro areas.
New York City: Free curbside disposal: seal in a plastic mattress bag (NYC law), set out on your regular collection day between 6 PM and midnight. No scheduling needed.
Los Angeles: Free drop-off through LA County's Bye Bye Mattress partnership. Junk removal services charge $80-150. Dropcurb mattress pickup in the LA area starts at $89.
Chicago: Call 311 for free bulky item pickup (1-2 week wait). Professional removal runs $100-200.
Houston: HTX Collects app for free bulk pickup, or use the city's monthly heavy trash collection days. Professional services charge $80-180.
Phoenix: Free bulk trash collection is included with regular service, with no scheduling needed. Set out during your designated bulk collection week.
Dallas: Free bulk pickup by appointment through Dallas Sanitation Services. Limit of 10 items per pickup. Wait time: 1-3 weeks.
DIY Mattress Disposal: The $19-50 Method
If you're willing to do the work yourself, here's the cheapest same-day approach.
Rent a pickup truck from Home Depot for $19 (75 minutes). That's enough time to load, drive to your local transfer station, and return the truck. Dump fees for a single mattress run $10-30 at most municipal facilities.
What you'll need:
- •A friend to help load (mattresses are awkward, not heavy: a queen weighs 60-100 lbs)
- •Ratchet straps or bungee cords to secure it in the truck bed
- •$29-50 total ($19 truck + $10-30 dump fee)
- •About 2 hours of your time
The cutting method: Some Redditors on r/Frugal recommend cutting the mattress into pieces with a box cutter and disposing of it in regular trash bags over several weeks. This is technically free but takes 30-60 minutes of messy work and multiple trash days. Some municipalities also prohibit this.
If $99 for Dropcurb sounds better than wrestling a queen mattress into a rented truck, we get it. Set it at the curb, book online, and a hauler handles the rest the same day.
How to Get Rid of a Mattress Through Dropcurb
Move the mattress to your curb
Drag, carry, or slide it outside. No mattress bag required — our haulers handle it as-is.
Book online in 60 seconds
Visit dropcurb.com/book, select mattress, enter your address, and pick a time. Price shown upfront: from $89, depending on size.
Hauler picks it up
A local hauler arrives and loads your mattress. No need to be home — just make sure it's curbside and accessible.
Done — mattress recycled or donated when possible
Dropcurb haulers prioritize recycling and donation. You get a confirmation when pickup is complete.
Ready to get rid of that old mattress? Book curbside pickup from $89, cheaper than most junk removal companies.
Get Instant PricingFrequently asked questions
What is the best way to dispose of an old mattress?
The best way depends on your budget and timeline. Free city bulk pickup works if you can wait 2-8 weeks. Bye Bye Mattress offers free recycling in CA, CT, OR, and RI. For same-day removal, Dropcurb picks up curbside mattresses from $89, with no phone calls, no estimates and no waiting around.
How much does Got Junk charge to pick up a mattress?
Traditional full-service junk removal typically charges $130-250 for mattress removal, depending on your location. They require an on-site estimate: a crew arrives, inspects the mattress, and quotes a price. You must be home during a 2-hour arrival window. Dropcurb picks up curbside mattresses from $89.
Can I put a mattress on the curb for garbage pickup?
It depends on your city. NYC allows curbside mattress disposal on regular trash days if sealed in a plastic bag. Most other cities require scheduling bulk pickup through 311. Some cities like Phoenix include bulk pickup with regular service during designated weeks. Check your local waste department's rules.
Does Goodwill or Salvation Army take old mattresses?
Most Goodwill and Salvation Army locations do not accept mattresses due to bedbug and hygiene concerns. Habitat for Humanity ReStores also rarely take them. St. Vincent de Paul will pick up mattresses in some areas for $50 each. Your best donation option is checking with local shelters directly.
How much does it cost to dispose of a mattress at the dump?
Dump fees for mattresses range from $10-30 at most municipal transfer stations. The total cost is $29-50 if you rent a Home Depot truck ($19 for 75 minutes) and drive it yourself. Some facilities charge extra for box springs, so bring both at once to avoid a second trip.
Is mattress recycling free?
Mattress recycling is free in California, Connecticut, Oregon, and Rhode Island through the Bye Bye Mattress program. The program is funded by a $16 recycling fee collected when you purchase a new mattress in those states. Outside these four states, recycling typically costs $20-50 per mattress at private facilities.