Mattress Disposal & Recycling Guide 2025

The Mattress Waste Problem

The United States faces a significant environmental challenge with mattress disposal. Each year, approximately 20 million mattresses and box springs are discarded across the country, creating a mounting waste management crisis. These bulky items occupy roughly 132,000 cubic yards of landfill space annually, equivalent to more than 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools filled with discarded sleep surfaces.

The environmental impact extends far beyond space consumption. When mattresses enter landfills, they can take anywhere from 50 to 100 years to fully decompose due to their complex construction of metal springs, synthetic foams, cotton batting, and wooden frames. During this prolonged decomposition process, mattresses release harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases into the environment. The polyurethane foam commonly used in modern mattresses breaks down slowly and can leach toxic compounds into soil and groundwater.

Landfill operators particularly dislike mattresses because their bulky, hollow structure prevents effective compaction, wasting valuable space in already overburdened facilities. Many municipalities have implemented special handling fees or outright bans on mattress disposal in regular trash pickup, forcing consumers to seek alternative disposal methods. This waste crisis has prompted several states to implement mandatory recycling programs, recognizing that up to 90 percent of mattress materials can be recovered and repurposed through proper recycling processes.

Disposal Options & Costs

Professional Removal Services

For homeowners seeking convenience, professional removal services offer the easiest solution for mattress disposal. National junk removal companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Junk King, and LoadUp typically charge between $75 and $150 for mattress removal, with pricing varying based on location, accessibility, and whether additional items are being removed simultaneously. Many companies offer discounts for multiple items, making it more economical to dispose of both your old mattress and box spring together.

A cost-effective alternative exists when purchasing a new mattress. Most major mattress retailers, including Mattress Firm, Casper, Purple, and Sleep Number, offer free haul-away services for your old mattress when delivering a new one. This service is often included in the delivery fee or provided at no additional charge, potentially saving consumers $100 or more. However, customers should verify this policy before purchasing, as some budget retailers may charge a separate removal fee ranging from $50 to $100.

Charitable organizations present another avenue for professional removal, often at no cost to the donor. The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, and local furniture banks frequently offer free pickup services for gently used mattresses meeting their condition standards. These organizations typically require mattresses to be less than 10 years old, clean, stain-free, and structurally sound. Donors can often claim a tax deduction for the donation's fair market value, potentially offsetting the cost of a new mattress purchase. Scheduling these pickups usually requires advance notice of one to two weeks, and organizations may have specific service areas or minimum donation requirements.

DIY Disposal

Budget-conscious consumers can significantly reduce disposal costs through do-it-yourself options. Most municipalities offer bulky waste collection services for items like mattresses, typically charging between $10 and $50 per item. Residents must schedule pickups in advance, which may occur monthly, quarterly, or on-demand depending on local policies. The mattress must usually be placed curbside on a specific collection day, and some cities require residents to attach a special tag or sticker purchased from the city office or local retailers.

Transfer stations and recycling centers provide another economical DIY option. These facilities accept mattresses for drop-off, charging fees typically ranging from $15 to $30 per mattress. The cost-effectiveness comes at the expense of convenience, as residents must transport the mattress themselves, which requires a truck, trailer, or vehicle with sufficient cargo capacity. Many facilities have specific operating hours, often limited to weekends or weekday afternoons, and may require proof of residency to prevent commercial dumping.

Direct landfill disposal represents the least environmentally friendly option but remains available in many areas. Landfills accepting mattresses directly typically charge between $20 and $40 per mattress, based on weight or per-item fees. Some facilities calculate costs by vehicle load rather than individual items, which can be economical when disposing of multiple large items simultaneously. However, an increasing number of progressive municipalities have banned mattress landfill disposal entirely, instead directing residents toward recycling programs.

Recycling Drop-Off

Mattress recycling facilities offer the most environmentally responsible disposal method. The Bye Bye Mattress program operates over 170 free drop-off locations across California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, making recycling accessible to millions of residents. These facilities accept mattresses and box springs at no additional charge beyond the recycling fee already paid at purchase.

Municipal recycling events provide periodic opportunities for mattress recycling in communities without permanent facilities. Many cities host annual or semi-annual collection events where residents can drop off mattresses and other bulky items for free or at minimal cost. These events typically occur in spring and fall, coinciding with common moving seasons and home cleaning periods.

When comparing costs, recycling often proves the most economical choice for residents in states with established programs. While the $10.50 recycling fee in program states is built into the mattress purchase price, no additional disposal costs are incurred when using free drop-off locations. For residents outside program states, private recycling facilities may charge $15 to $40 per mattress, comparable to or less than junk removal services while providing superior environmental outcomes.

Bye Bye Mattress Program

The Bye Bye Mattress program, officially known as the Mattress Recycling Council initiative, represents America's most comprehensive mattress recycling solution. Currently operational in California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, the program has diverted millions of mattresses from landfills since its inception. California's program launched in 2016, followed by Connecticut in 2015 and Rhode Island in 2016, collectively serving over 45 million residents.

The program functions through an innovative producer responsibility model. Mattress manufacturers and importers selling products in program states fund the recycling infrastructure through a $10.50 recycling fee applied to each mattress and box spring sold at retail. This fee appears as a separate line item on purchase receipts, ensuring transparency for consumers. The collected fees fund the operation of drop-off centers, recycling facility operations, transportation costs, and program administration.

Residents and businesses can dispose of mattresses at over 170 permanent drop-off locations throughout the three states, with the network continually expanding. California alone hosts more than 110 locations, while Connecticut operates approximately 30 sites and Rhode Island maintains around 30 facilities. These locations include municipal transfer stations, recycling centers, and private waste management facilities contracted to participate in the program. No appointment is typically necessary, though some locations may limit the number of mattresses accepted per visit or require business accounts for commercial disposal.

The program has achieved remarkable success in material recovery. Approximately 73 percent of each mattress's weight is recovered and recycled into valuable raw materials. Since the programs' inception, over 7 million mattresses have been recycled, recovering more than 300 million pounds of steel, foam, fiber, and wood. This recovery rate far exceeds typical landfill diversion efforts and demonstrates the viability of comprehensive recycling programs.

The Bye Bye Mattress program maintains a user-friendly online directory where residents can locate the nearest drop-off facility by entering their zip code. The website provides facility addresses, operating hours, contact information, and specific requirements or restrictions. Some locations accept mattresses during regular business hours, while others designate specific days or times for mattress drop-off.

Several additional states have explored implementing similar mattress recycling programs. Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington have all considered legislation modeled after the successful California program. Industry stakeholders anticipate program expansion to additional states within the next few years as the environmental and economic benefits become increasingly apparent.

Mattress Recycling Process

The mattress recycling process transforms what once was destined for landfills into valuable raw materials for new products. Understanding this process reveals why recycling represents such a crucial environmental solution. Skilled technicians can fully deconstruct and sort a single mattress in just 15 to 20 minutes, making the process economically viable for recycling facilities.

The deconstruction begins with removing the mattress cover, which contains fabric, thread, and sometimes additional padding materials. Workers use specialized tools including box cutters, pneumatic shears, and band saws to efficiently separate components. The outer cover fabric, typically made from cotton, polyester, or blended materials, is removed and sorted by material type for appropriate recycling channels.

Next, technicians extract the comfort layers, which may include memory foam, latex, polyurethane foam, or cotton batting. These materials are carefully separated because different foam types require distinct recycling processes. The foam removal exposes the mattress's internal spring system or solid foam core, depending on mattress type.

Steel springs represent the most valuable recyclable component, comprising approximately 15 to 20 pounds of metal per innerspring mattress. Workers remove the spring system intact when possible, then process it through shredders or cutting equipment to prepare it for metal recycling. Steel recyclers eagerly accept these springs because mattress steel is typically high-quality carbon steel that can be melted down and reformed into new products including rebar, automotive parts, and new steel frames. The recycling rate for mattress steel approaches 100 percent, with virtually all recovered metal finding reuse applications.

Polyurethane foam, the second most significant mattress component by volume, follows various recycling pathways. High-quality foam may be rebonded into carpet padding, a process that compresses foam pieces into dense sheets used beneath residential and commercial carpeting. Lower-grade foam can be processed into insulation materials, stuffing for furniture padding, or even absorption materials for industrial applications. Some facilities granulate foam into small particles used in rubberized playground surfaces or athletic tracks.

Cotton batting and fabric materials from mattresses become industrial wiping rags, an essential product for manufacturing facilities, automotive shops, and cleaning services. Material that cannot meet wiping rag quality standards may be processed into fiber for insulation, stuffing, or even absorbent materials for oil spill cleanup. Some facilities have developed processes to extract natural fibers for reuse in textile manufacturing, though this remains a developing application.

Wooden frames and foundations, commonly found in box springs and platform beds, are typically chipped into mulch for landscaping applications or processed into biomass fuel for industrial energy generation. Some higher-quality wood may be repurposed into particleboard or medium-density fiberboard for furniture and construction applications.

The economic value of recycled mattress materials has improved substantially as commodity prices have risen and recycling technologies have advanced. A single mattress may yield $10 to $30 worth of recyclable materials, helping offset processing costs and making recycling increasingly competitive with landfill disposal from a pure cost perspective.

State Regulations

State-level mattress recycling regulations have emerged as powerful tools for addressing the mattress waste crisis. Three states have successfully implemented comprehensive mattress stewardship programs, while numerous others have considered similar legislation.

California's Mattress Stewardship Law, Senate Bill 254, took effect in 2016 and established the nation's first statewide mattress recycling program. The legislation requires mattress manufacturers and retailers to participate in a stewardship program covering the entire state. Under this law, producers must ensure that recycling opportunities are reasonably available to all California residents and businesses. The program is entirely industry-funded through the recycling fee, with no cost to taxpayers. Retailers must collect the fee at the point of sale and clearly display it on invoices. The law also prohibits illegal dumping and requires renovators to register with the state.

Connecticut implemented its Mattress Recycling Program in 2015 through legislative action making it the first state to establish mandatory mattress recycling. The Connecticut program requires mattress stewardship organizations to develop and operate a collection and recycling system throughout the state. Connecticut's regulations include specific performance standards, requiring the program to achieve and maintain minimum recycling rates and provide convenient access to recycling for residents in all regions. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection oversees program compliance and publishes annual reports on recycling metrics.

Rhode Island's Mattress Stewardship Act followed closely, launching its program in 2016. The Rhode Island program mirrors the California and Connecticut models with its producer responsibility approach. The legislation requires manufacturers selling 500 or more mattresses annually in Rhode Island to participate in a stewardship organization. Rhode Island's program emphasizes rural accessibility, requiring adequate collection opportunities in less densely populated areas where residents might otherwise face significant travel distances to recycling facilities.

All three states require mattress retailers to inform customers about the recycling program and available disposal options. Retailers must display point-of-sale notices explaining the recycling fee and directing customers to program resources. Non-compliance can result in penalties including fines and potential prohibition from selling mattresses in the state.

Proposed legislation in additional states continues to gain momentum. Oregon has considered multiple bills to establish mattress recycling programs. New York state legislators have introduced mattress stewardship legislation, recognizing that New York City alone disposes of approximately 3 million mattresses annually. Massachusetts, Washington, and Vermont have also explored similar programs. Industry observers anticipate that successful program outcomes in existing states will drive broader adoption of mattress stewardship legislation nationwide.

Donation Guidelines

Donating gently used mattresses provides a win-win solution, keeping functional items out of landfills while helping individuals and families in need. However, strict guidelines govern mattress donations to protect recipient health and safety.

Most charitable organizations accepting mattresses require items to meet specific condition standards. Mattresses must be clean, free from stains, tears, and odors, and structurally sound with no sagging or broken springs. Most organizations refuse mattresses older than 10 years due to hygiene concerns and diminished useful life. The mattress should have no visible damage to the cover, and all original tags should remain attached when possible.

Bed bug concerns represent the primary reason for strict donation standards. These pests can hide within mattress seams and folds, potentially infesting donation facilities and recipient homes. Organizations carefully inspect donated mattresses for any signs of bed bugs including live insects, shed skins, black fecal spots, or blood stains. Any mattress showing potential bed bug evidence is immediately rejected. Some organizations require donors to certify that their home has not experienced bed bug infestations.

Major organizations accepting mattress donations include The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, Goodwill (in select locations), local furniture banks, and homeless shelters. The Salvation Army operates donation centers and pickup services in most metropolitan areas, typically accepting mattresses in good condition with advance scheduling. Habitat for Humanity ReStores, retail outlets selling donated building materials and home goods, accept mattress donations at many locations, though policies vary by local affiliate.

Furniture banks serve as specialized charities focusing on home furnishing donations for families transitioning out of homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. These organizations often have more flexible acceptance criteria than retail-oriented charities because they work directly with recipients and can match appropriate items to specific needs.

Donors can claim tax deductions for mattress donations to qualified charitable organizations. The IRS allows deductions based on the item's fair market value, typically estimated between $50 and $200 for used mattresses depending on age, brand, and condition. Donors should obtain a receipt from the organization including the donation date, item description, and organization name. For donations valued over $250, a written acknowledgment from the charity is required. Donors claiming over $5,000 in total non-cash donations must complete IRS Form 8283 and may need a professional appraisal.

Before donating, contact the receiving organization to verify current acceptance policies, schedule pickup or drop-off, and confirm condition requirements. This advance communication prevents wasted trips and ensures your mattress meets the organization's current needs and standards. Some organizations experience seasonal fluctuations in acceptance based on storage capacity and demand.