The Stylish Sleeper’s Guide on How to Get Rid of an Old Mattress Without Stressing Out

You finally have the big, soft mattress you wanted for so long. Now, the old one is just by your bedroom wall, collecting dust and causing worry. Getting rid of a mattress isn’t simple—it has many rules, concerns about the environment, and tough work. Let’s turn this issue into a lesson on simple living.

Why Your Mattress Needs Better Than Just Being Thrown Away at Night

Every year, Americans throw away over 20 million mattresses, and these big old things don’t just fill up the trash—they’re a danger to the environment. One mattress can fill up 40 cubic feet and slowly release harmful chemicals into the ground for years. In California, bad mattress dumping adds over 1.5 million tons of trash each year, says the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. But if you’re smart, you can avoid the guilt and trouble. Here, we outline six ways to get rid of your old mattress, from recycling that helps the earth to selling it for cash.

Municipal Pickup: The Bare-Bones Baseline

Most cities pick up big trash, but the rules change a lot. New York City lets you put out six things each time, while Los Angeles says mattresses need plastic around them to stop bugs. Chicago asks for $25 for big items, and Austin picks up for free but you have to plan ahead. Check your city’s trash website for details—search for phrases like “big item throw away” or “big trash pick up.”

The basic info:

Cost: Usually free or less than $50 (depends on the city).
Effort: Not much (but might need planning and some setup).
Eco-Friendliness: Really bad—most goes to dumps.

Top Tip: Use a zip-up mattress cover (like those on Amazon) to avoid penalties for not covering your bedding. In cities with tough rules, like Phoenix or Seattle, don’t use duct tape but go for strong plastic wrap to keep bugs away.

Recycling: For the Planet-Conscious Perfectionist

Mattresses can be 80% recycled. Springs become scrap metal. Foam turns into carpet padding. Wood frames are shredded into mulch. Organizations like the Mattress Recycling Council help in states like California and Connecticut to simplify recycling. In Rhode Island, the nonprofit Bye Bye Mattress has stopped over 1.2 million mattresses from filling landfills since 2016.

Steps to Recycle Like a Pro:

Locate a Facility: Use Earth911’s Recycling Locator. Filter by “mattress recycling” and read reviews—some centers, like Green Citizen in San Francisco, offer free drop-offs.
Prep the Mattress: Remove bedding, stains, and odors. Some centers charge a small fee (10–30) for heavily soiled items.
Drop Off or Schedule Pickup: Many retailers like Casper offer take-back programs with new purchases. For a fee, companies like LoadUp will haul your mattress directly to a recycling center.

Why care? Recycling one mattress saves 23 gallons of water and 147 pounds of CO2. In Europe, places like the Netherlands recycle 90% of mattresses—showing it’s possible.

Donation: Pass the Comfort Forward

If your mattress has no stains and is still good, give it away. Groups like The Salvation Army and Goodwill sometimes take used mattresses, but check first—many are careful because of bed bug dangers.

Top Picks for Donation:

Homeless Shelters: Connect via Homeless Shelter Directory. Organizations like Haven for Hope in Texas prioritize mattresses for families transitioning out of homelessness.
Furniture Banks: Find local options via Furniture Bank Network. These groups, like Chicago’s Furnishing Hope, provide essentials to victims of domestic violence or natural disasters.
Buy Nothing Groups: Hyper-local, zero-cost gifting via Facebook. Search for groups in your ZIP code and post a photo with details like “Queen mattress, 2019 model, used with a protector.”

Caution: Most charities require mattresses to have FDA-approved fire labels intact. Use a handheld UV light to check for invisible stains, and steam-clean surfaces with a Bissell Multi-Surface Machine to ensure it’s donation-ready.

Sell It: Turn Sleep into Cash

A lightly used mattress can fetch 20–40% of its retail price. High-end brands like Tempur-Pedic hold value best—a 2019 study by Sleep Foundation found luxury models retain 30% more resale value than budget options.

Where to Sell:

Facebook Marketplace: Tap into 2.9 billion active users. List with crisp photos (use natural light and stage the mattress with fresh linens) and keywords like “hypoallergenic” or “pet-free home.”
Craigslist: The OG for local sales. Avoid scams by insisting on in-person payments and meeting at a police station parking lot for safety.
OfferUp: User-friendly app with built-in price comparisons. Highlight unique features, like a pillow-top layer or motion isolation, to stand out.

Pricing Strategy: Research similar listings on eBay Sold Items. For a

1,200mattresssoldaftertwoyears,aimfor300–400.Sweetenthedealbyofferingfreedeliverywithin10miles—it’sa—it’sa50 cost that can seal the sale.

Junk Removal Services: For the Time-Strapped Aesthete

Companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? haul away your mattress (and other clutter) for 150–500, depending on size and location. Competitors like College Hunks Hauling Junk often undercut prices by 15–20%, and eco-focused services like LoadUp guarantee landfill diversion.

Worth It? If convenience trumps cost, absolutely. Bonus: Many services partner with recyclers or charities to minimize landfill use. Ask for a “green disposal” receipt to track your mattress’s final destination.

DIY Projects: Unleash Your Inner Joanna Gaines

Before you trash it, consider repurposing:

Pet Bed: Slice memory foam into Fido’s new throne. Use a serrated knife and staple fabric to a wooden base for a luxe look.
Garden Cushion: Wrap springs in burlap for a rustic bench. Secure with outdoor-grade adhesive and treat with rust-resistant spray.
Art Installations: See Design Milk’s offbeat ideas, like transforming coils into modernist sculptures or headboards into trellises.

Safety First: Wear cut-resistant gloves and safety goggles when dismantling springs. Use a reciprocating saw for wooden frames, and repurpose nails for DIY shelving.

Comparison Table: Which Method Fits Your Vibe?

Method	Cost Range	Effort Level	Eco-Friendliness	Time Commitment	Best For…
Municipal Pickup	0–50	Low	Poor	1–3 days	Minimalists
Recycling	0–30	Moderate	Excellent	2–5 days	Eco-warriors
Donation	$0	Moderate	Good	3–7 days	Altruists
Selling	Potential profit	High	Great	1–3 weeks	Hustlers
Junk Removal	150–500	Low	Variable	24–48 hours	Busy bees
DIY Repurpose	0–50	High	Outstanding	1–4 weeks	Creatives

The Ethical Exit: A Few Parting Tips

Deep Clean First: Use a steam cleaner and enzyme spray (try Rocco & Roxie Stain Remover) to erase odors. For stubborn stains, mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into a paste.
Document the Journey: Snap a “before and after” for Instagram—#ZeroWaste goals. Tag brands like Casper or Saatchi Art for potential features.
Stay Legal: Dumping mattresses illegally can lead to $500+ fines. In states like New Jersey, repeat offenders face misdemeanor charges. Check EPA guidelines for local regulations.

Final Thought: Sleep Well, Do Better

Upgrading your sleep setup shouldn’t mean downgrading your eco-cred. Whether you donate, recycle, or transform that mattress into a conversation-starting couch, the goal is the same: keep it out of a landfill. The next time you’re tempted to abandon it on a street corner, remember—those springs could become someone’s first bed or the frame of a community garden. Now, who’s ready for a nap?

Got a creative disposal story? Share it below—we’ll feature the most ingenious solution next month.

Written with a mix of caffeine and righteousness by a home organization expert who’s recycled more mattresses than they’ve dated. Follow them on Instagram for weekly tips on turning clutter into gold.

Engage With Us:

Poll: Which disposal method would you try first? Vote on our Twitter thread.
Deep Dive: Explore how mattress foam is recycled into yoga mats in The New York Times.
Local Resources: Unsure where to start? DM us your ZIP code, and we’ll send personalized disposal options.

Further Reading: