Short answer
Often yes, but many companies charge a per-mattress fee, and some areas send mattresses to recycling instead of the landfill.
Mattress recycling programs
California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island have statewide mattress recycling programs run by the Mattress Recycling Council under the Bye Bye Mattress name, funded by a fee paid when you buy a mattress. Residents can drop mattresses at participating sites (Bye Bye Mattress (Mattress Recycling Council)).
Other options
- Delivery haul-away. Stores often take the old mattress when they deliver a new one.
- City bulk pickup. Many cities collect mattresses on bulk days, sometimes wrapped in plastic for bed-bug control.
- Donation if it's clean and in good condition; many charities have strict rules.
- Your dumpster, if the company accepts it: ask about the per-item fee.
Local drop-off sites
Each of our city guides lists the official household hazardous waste and drop-off option: New YorkLos AngelesChicagoHoustonPhiladelphiaSan AntonioSan DiegoAustinSeattleSan FranciscoDenverWashingtonBostonMinneapolisPortlandNashvillePittsburghAtlantaColumbusIndianapolisCharlotteTampaKansas CitySt. LouisDetroitMilwaukeeSacramentoCincinnatiChattanooga.
Questions
What's the cheapest way to get rid of a mattress?
In California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island, Bye Bye Mattress drop-off sites (Bye Bye Mattress (Mattress Recycling Council)). Elsewhere, city bulk pickup or a store haul-away when you buy a new one are often the cheapest.