Choose the Right Mattress Route Before You Move a Bulky Bed
A mattress recycling option near you might be a participating collection site, city transfer station, municipal bulky-waste service, retailer haul-away program, private recycler or scheduled collection event.
The best route depends on where you live, the mattress condition, whether you can transport it, how many units you have, and whether your state operates a mattress stewardship program.
Quick answer: where should you take an old mattress?
If you live in California, Connecticut, Oregon or Rhode Island, start with the official Bye Bye Mattress location finder. The Mattress Recycling Council currently operates state mattress recycling programs in those four states.
Outside those states, check your city or county bulky-waste program, local transfer station, mattress retailer, private mattress recycler or licensed junk-removal service. Confirm the specific mattress type, condition, number of units, fee, residency requirement and today’s intake hours before moving it.
On this page
Find a Mattress Recycling Center Near You
The most useful starting point is an official collection locator rather than a generic map result. Bye Bye Mattress lists registered collection sites, recycling facilities and events and also includes non-program locations in some states where fees may apply.
Program locator
Use the Bye Bye Mattress location finder first in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island.
City or county
Search your public works, sanitation or solid-waste website for mattress recycling, bulky-item pickup or transfer-station rules.
Retailer route
If a replacement mattress is being delivered, ask the seller about haul-away before checkout or delivery scheduling.
Drop-Off, Pickup or Retailer Haul-Away: Which Route Fits?
| Your situation | Best option to check first | Main question |
|---|---|---|
| You can transport one or two clean mattresses | Participating drop-off site or local transfer station | Is drop-off free, and what is the item limit? |
| You are buying a replacement mattress | Retailer haul-away | Will the retailer remove the old unit during delivery? |
| You cannot safely lift or transport it | City bulky pickup or private hauler | Do I need an appointment, payment or special setout? |
| The mattress is wet, infested or heavily damaged | Call the facility or local waste authority before moving it | Is recycling allowed, or is special disposal required? |
| You have a hotel, apartment or institutional load | Commercial mattress recycler or MRC bulk program | Do commercial registration or pickup requirements apply? |
| No recycler appears nearby | Municipal bulky waste, retailer haul-away or legal disposal route | What is the approved local alternative? |
Mattress Recycling Fees in 2026: State Fee vs Disposal Charge
A recycling fee collected when a new mattress is sold is not the same as a drop-off fee, city pickup charge or private haul-away price. State program fees fund collection, transportation, recycling and program administration, but a particular pickup service can still charge separately.
| State | 2026 mattress-program fee | What matters now |
|---|---|---|
| California | $18.00 per mattress, futon or foundation sold for use in California from April 1, 2026 | The MRC fee is not subject to California sales tax and must appear separately on the receipt. |
| Connecticut | $16.00 per mattress or foundation through September 30, 2026; $19.50 beginning October 1, 2026 | The fee is subject to sales tax. The October 1 change is especially important for purchases made around the transition date. |
| Oregon | $22.50 stewardship assessment per mattress or box spring | Oregon calls it a stewardship assessment rather than a recycling fee. |
| Rhode Island | $22.50 per mattress or foundation from January 1, 2026 | The Rhode Island fee is subject to sales tax. |
Mattress Pickup Near Me: City, Retailer or Private Hauler?
Pickup is usually better when you cannot safely lift the mattress, do not have a suitable vehicle, live in an apartment, have stairs or elevator constraints, or need several units removed at once.
City bulky pickup
Best for residents where sanitation or public works offers scheduled curb collection. Booking, setout position and item limits can apply.
Retailer haul-away
Useful when a new mattress is being delivered. Arrange it before delivery day and disclose contamination or access problems in advance.
Private junk removal
Useful for urgent jobs, stairs, large properties and areas without municipal pickup. Ask whether the quoted total includes recycling or disposal.
Pickup phone script
“I have one mattress and one box spring at my home. Are both accepted, what is the total pickup cost, where should I place them, does the mattress need to be wrapped, and what day or time window applies?”
What Mattress Recycling Programs May Accept
Standard mattresses and foundations or box springs are the core items in mattress stewardship programs, but definitions are not identical in every state.
| Item | Practical rule | Important state difference |
|---|---|---|
| Standard mattress | Commonly included in mattress recycling programs. | Eligibility still depends on where the mattress was used and discarded. |
| Box spring / foundation | Commonly included, but usually counts as a separate unit. | A mattress plus a box spring can count as two items. |
| Foam mattress | Generally treated as a mattress when it meets the program definition. | Check the state program and facility listing. |
| Futon mattress | Not universally included. | California recognizes a separable futon mattress; Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island do not treat futons the same way under MRC’s program. |
| Crib mattress | Not universally included. | Connecticut includes crib mattresses; California, Oregon and Rhode Island use different definitions. |
| Adjustable foundation | May qualify when it meets the program’s covered foundation definition. | Electronic or exposed mechanical bases can require separate checking. |
Wet, Moldy, Bedbug-Infested or Damaged Mattresses
Condition rules need careful local verification because the state programs are not identical. EPA’s bulky-item guidance notes that exceptionally soiled, moldy or bedbug-infested mattresses can be difficult for recyclers to accept.
| Condition | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wet mattress | Water adds substantial weight and can lead to mold. | Keep mattresses covered and call before transporting a wet unit. |
| Mold | Mold can create worker-safety and processing problems. | Ask whether the facility accepts it for recycling or only disposal. |
| Bed bugs or pests | Infestation can spread to vehicles, storage areas and other mattresses. | Tell the receiving facility before bringing the mattress. |
| Heavy soil or odor | Some recycling sites restrict badly contaminated units. | Call for special instructions before loading it. |
| Severe structural damage | Loose springs and broken components can create handling hazards. | Describe the damage and ask whether the site wants the unit. |
| Frozen mattress | Inspection and handling can be more difficult. | Connecticut and Rhode Island locations may apply special instructions or fees. |
State Mattress Recycling Programs: California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island
The Mattress Recycling Council currently operates Bye Bye Mattress programs in four states. These are statewide stewardship systems rather than a single nationwide mattress-recycling law.
| State | Program detail | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| California | CalRecycle oversees the state’s Mattress Stewardship Program; MRC operates the approved program. California currently has more than 240 permanent program drop-off locations. | Use Bye Bye Mattress to find a participating site, then read that site’s limits and resident/business rules. |
| Connecticut | MRC says 157 communities offer direct access through transfer stations, public works yards, collection events and municipal curbside programs. | Check both the program locator and your town’s instructions. |
| Oregon | The statewide Mattress Stewardship Program began January 1, 2025 and is funded by a $22.50 assessment on mattress and box-spring sales. | Use the statewide locator and confirm the specific site’s daily limit and residency rules. |
| Rhode Island | MRC says residents in 37 of 39 municipalities can access mattress collection through local transfer stations, public works yards or collection events. | Check the local municipality or program locator before driving. |
| Other states | No single MRC stewardship program applies statewide. | Check local government, transfer stations, private recyclers, retailers and bulky-item services. |
Retailer Take-Back When You Buy a New Mattress
If a new mattress is already being delivered, retailer take-back can avoid a separate drop-off trip. Ask about removal before payment or scheduling because state law, delivery service, contamination and item type can change what the retailer will do.
Ask before checkout
Confirm whether mattress removal is included, optional, required by applicable state rules or charged separately.
Count every unit
A mattress and box spring are separate pieces. A split foundation may also involve more than one unit.
Disclose contamination
Do not surprise delivery staff with bed bugs, heavy soil, mold or a soaked mattress. Retailers can have safety-based refusal rules.
Mattress Recycling Center Hours: Open Today, Weekend and Holiday Checks
A map listing may show the building as open even when mattress intake is closed. Transfer stations, public works yards, recycler warehouses and event locations often have service-specific schedules.
| Search intent | What can go wrong | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Open now | The site may be open for another service. | Mattress-specific intake hours and last entry. |
| Open today | A scheduled event or mattress lane may not operate daily. | Today’s date, appointment rule and unit limit. |
| Saturday | Weekend hours may be shorter than weekday hours. | Saturday drop-off hours and whether residents only are allowed. |
| Sunday | Municipal facilities may be closed or have limited Sunday service. | Use the actual site listing instead of assuming from map hours. |
| Holiday week | Public facilities and events can close or reschedule. | Current holiday notice or collection calendar. |
What to Do If There Is No Mattress Recycler Near You
If no convenient recycler is available, the correct answer is not to leave the mattress beside a dumpster, charity bin or closed facility. Use the next legal route available in your area.
Commercial Mattress Recycling for Hotels, Apartments and Property Managers
Hotels, dorms, health facilities, apartment operators, property managers and large cleanout companies should not assume a resident collection site will take a commercial load. Quantity, origin documentation, appointments and program registration can matter.
Hotels and lodging
Ask about bulk pickup, trailer requirements, loading access and whether units need to be stacked in a specific way.
Apartments
Coordinate removal before mattresses accumulate around dumpsters or fire lanes. Resident drop-off rules may not apply to property-management loads.
Large institutions
Schools, healthcare facilities and military or lodging facilities may qualify for specific freight or collection arrangements in program states.
Before-You-Go Mattress Drop-Off Checklist
Why Mattress Recycling Is Different From Ordinary Curbside Recycling
Mattresses are bulky, difficult to compact and can become extremely heavy when wet. EPA’s bulky-item guidance notes that mattresses must be protected from rain and moved out of storage regularly because damp mattresses can develop mold and attract pests.
EPA also states that up to 75% of a mattress can be recyclable. Recyclers dismantle mattresses so materials such as steel, foam, fabric and wood can move into separate recovery markets.
Mattress Recycling Center Near Me Map
Use this map to discover nearby mattress recyclers, transfer stations and collection options. Then verify the final choice through the facility’s official site or the Bye Bye Mattress locator before driving.
Official Mattress Recycling Sources
Use national and state sources for program rules, then verify the specific collection site before traveling because unit limits, appointments, hours and residency requirements can vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mattress Recycling Centers
How do I find a mattress recycling center near me?
Use the Bye Bye Mattress locator in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island. Elsewhere, check your city or county solid-waste agency, transfer stations, retailers and private mattress recyclers.
Is mattress recycling free?
Sometimes. Participating state-program sites can provide no-cost opportunities, but private pickup, transfer-station disposal, retailer haul-away and contaminated-item handling may have separate charges.
What is the mattress recycling fee in California in 2026?
California’s mattress recycling fee is $18.00 per mattress, futon or foundation sold for use in California from April 1, 2026. The MRC states that this fee is not subject to sales tax.
What is the Connecticut mattress recycling fee in 2026?
The fee is $16.00 per unit through September 30, 2026 and increases to $19.50 per mattress or foundation beginning October 1, 2026. The fee is subject to sales tax.
What is the Oregon mattress recycling fee?
Oregon currently uses a $22.50 stewardship assessment on each mattress or box spring sold for use in Oregon.
What is the Rhode Island mattress recycling fee in 2026?
Rhode Island’s recycling fee is $22.50 per mattress or foundation sold on or after January 1, 2026. The fee is subject to sales tax.
Will a recycling center accept a wet or moldy mattress?
Rules vary. California and Oregon MRC program sites have broader condition eligibility, while Connecticut and Rhode Island direct people with severely damaged, heavily soiled, moldy, wet, frozen or infested mattresses to contact the location for instructions.
Can I recycle a bedbug-infested mattress?
Do not transport an infested mattress to a recycler without contacting the site first. Pest-control and worker-safety requirements can change the correct handling route.
Are box springs recycled with mattresses?
Many mattress programs accept box springs or foundations, but they usually count as separate units. A mattress and foundation can therefore count as two items.
Can futon mattresses be recycled?
Program definitions differ. California includes a separable futon mattress under its MRC program, while Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island do not treat futons the same way.
Can crib mattresses be recycled?
Connecticut includes crib mattresses under its MRC program. California, Oregon and Rhode Island use different definitions and do not provide the same program treatment.
Can a retailer take away my old mattress?
Possibly. Arrange take-back before delivery and ask about state rules, charges, contamination exclusions and whether a box spring counts as a separate unit.
Can businesses use mattress recycling programs?
Yes in some locations, but business rules can differ from resident rules. Hotels, apartments, retailers, schools and other large generators should check commercial-volume and registration requirements before delivering a load.
Can I leave a mattress outside a recycling center after hours?
No. Do not leave mattresses beside a closed gate, container, donation site, sidewalk or dumpster. Use staffed drop-off hours, scheduled pickup or another authorized route.
Is Recycling-Centre.org an official mattress recycling program?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Verify current fees, accepted items, unit limits, hours and pickup instructions with the responsible facility, government agency, retailer or Mattress Recycling Council program.
A Better Mattress Disposal Plan
Start with the mattress itself: identify the exact item, count every mattress and foundation, inspect its condition and decide whether you can move it safely. Then choose between a program drop-off, municipal bulky pickup, retailer haul-away or private service.
Before you leave, confirm residency rules, unit limits, fees, mattress-condition requirements, today’s intake hours and the last permitted arrival time. If the mattress is wet, infested, badly damaged or part of a commercial load, call first rather than assuming normal household rules apply.