How to Recycle Your Old Mattress the Responsible Way

It is possible to recycle your old mattress in the US via local mattress recycling programs, junk removal services, or retailer take-back schemes.

Mattress recycling involves dismantling worn-out mattresses and repurposing their materials to reduce waste and environmental impact. Nearly 1.5 million mattresses are recycled every year, according to the Mattress Recycling Council.

However, this represents less than a 10% recycling rate when you consider that over 18 million mattresses are discarded annually. 14.7 million mattresses a year (81.6%) end up in landfills, based on EPA data.

To help reduce this waste, it is vital to dispose of your mattress responsibly.

This guide covers different mattress recycling options, including local recycling programs, retailer take-back services, and DIY methods, as well as alternative disposal methods like selling, donating, or repurposing.

Key Takeaways

• Not all mattresses are suitable for recycling; it depends on their condition
• Free mattress recycling is offered in CA, CT, RI, and OR via the Mattress Recycling Council
• Junk removal services remove mattresses in any condition nationwide for a small fee
• Some charities accept  donations of used mattresses in usable condition
• You can dismantle a mattress yourself and recycle the constituent parts

Is My Mattress Eligible for Recycling?

Most mattresses can be recycled, whether they are memory foam, spring, or hybrid. However, not all mattresses are eligible.

Local recycling facilities will generally refuse mattresses for the following reasons.

• Bed bug infestations
• Significant fire damage
• Heavily stained (light staining is generally ok)

If you are unsure whether your mattress qualifies, contact your local recycling facility in advance and ask. In some cases, you can send them a photo of the damage or staining so they can decide before you make the trip.

Even if your mattress isn't accepted by your local facility, alternative options such as 1-800 Got Junk, retailer take back schemes, and DIY recycling are still available.

What Are the Best Ways to Dispose of An Old Mattress Responsibly?

The most responsible ways to dispose of your mattress are using a recycling or waste collection service, using a retailer's take-back program, recycling it yourself, or donating it to a good cause.

The following diagram summarizes the recycling methods available.

This table compares the cost, availability, and suitability of the main disposal options.

We will now examine each recycling option in more detail.

Mattress Recycling Council

The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is an established recycling program available in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Oregon. It is free to use if you drop off the mattress yourself. In some locations, curbside pickup is available via local authorities.

The MRC recycles used box springs and mattresses, provided they meet the eligibility criteria described above.

The Mattress Recycling Council is funded by a mattress recycling fee. This is a tariff added to the price of new mattresses sold. The exact amount varies between $16 and $22.50, depending on your state. Because the fee is paid when you buy a mattress, the MRC service is free at the point of use.

Choose MRC if:

• You live in CA, CT, RI, or OR
• You have access to a truck or trailer
• Or, you have contacted your local authority and arranged curbside pickup
• You want 100% free recycling

Visit the MRC's Bye Bye Mattress website to find your nearest site.

Junk Removal Services (1-800 Got Junk)

1-800 Got Junk operates in every US state and claims to be the world's largest junk removal service.

For a small fee, their mattress disposal service can haul any type of mattress from any location (so there is no need for you to move it outside to the curb). The typical cost for removing a queen-sized mattress is $118.

Choose 1-800 Got Junk if:

• You need nationwide service
• You want maximum convenience
• You're willing to pay for full-service removal
• Your mattress doesn't meet MRC eligibility (bed bugs, fire damage, heavy staining)

Call 1-800-GOT-JUNK to schedule your pickup.

Local Recycling Centers Near You

Earth 911 provides a searchable database to help you locate recycling centers in your area. The site lists private and municipal recycling facilities nationwide, filtered according to the items they accept.

Visit search.earth911.com to search their database.

Choose Local Recycling Options if:

• You find a suitable location in the Earth 911 database
• You have access to a truck or trailer
• You are physically able to load the mattress into your vehicle

If you're planning to buy a new mattress, you may have the option of having the retailer remove your old one. This is what is known as a take-back program.

Mattress Retailer Take-Back Programs

Some environmentally friendly mattress companies (such as PlushBeds, DreamCloud, and Saatva) offer a mattress removal service when you buy a new one.

Usually, this service is known as take-back or white-glove delivery and costs an additional fee. The cost varies between $99 and $449, depending on the retailer. But Saatva includes the service for free.

If you live in California, state law requires the retailer to remove your old mattress for free if you are having a new one delivered.

This is a great option if there are no recycling facilities nearby, or if you want a single point of contact for both delivery and removal.

Choose Retailer Take-Back if:

• You're already buying a new mattress
• You want one-stop delivery + removal
• You live in California (it's free by law)

Make sure you confirm with the retailer that they do recycle the mattresses they collect. You won't be helping the environment if you use a pick-up service that simply takes your old mattress to a landfill.

Recycle the Mattress Yourself

If you have the time and some basic DIY skills, you have the option of dismantling your mattress yourself.

To deconstruct a mattress for easier recycling, follow these steps.

1. Cut the mattress cover fabric open using a utility knife to expose the inner materials.
2. Remove the outer fabric and separate the layers of foam, steel springs, and wood.
3. Sort materials into categories: metal, wood, foam, and fabric.
4. Recycle metal parts at a local scrap metal facility and textiles at local waste management or recycling centers.

This is essentially the same process that would be followed by any recycling facility that accepts mattresses. But by doing it yourself, the parts become easier to transport, and you can save yourself the pickup fee.

Choose DIY Disassembly if:

• You want the cheapest responsible disposal option, but do not live in a state covered by the MRC
• You enjoy hands-on projects
• You want to maximize material recovery
• You have 30-45 minutes and basic tools
• You can transport materials to recycling centers

Donate Your Mattress to Charity

Donate your used mattress to charities and shelters in your area to help other people and reduce waste at the same time.

Charities that accept donations of used mattresses include The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, local Furniture Bank Network affiliates, and local thrift stores.

Baby and toddler mattresses can be donated to Operation Orphan.

This method is only suitable if your mattress is clean, free of any kind of infestation, and in good structural condition. Charities only accept mattresses that they can resell or reuse.

Choose Donation if:

• Your mattress is <7 years old
• It's clean, no stains, no structural damage
• It has no bed bugs or fire damage
• You want to help someone in need

Be sure to contact the charity ahead of time to see if they accept mattress donations and what their policies are for accepting them.

If you arrange to have your mattress collected for recycling or donation, you need to take a few steps to prepare in advance.

How to Prepare Your Mattress for Pickup

Before a courier arrives to pick up your mattress, complete this checklist.

1 Week Before

• Verify your mattress is eligible (no bed bugs, minimal staining, no severe fire damage)
• Take photos of any stains or damage if you're unsure about acceptance
• Measure your mattress to confirm the size with the service provider
• Contact your chosen recycling option to schedule your pickup appointment
• Confirm pricing and payment method

The Day Before

• Strip the mattress of all bedding, sheets, mattress protectors, and toppers
• Check that the service can access the pickup location (stairs, doorways, elevators)
• Clear a path from the bedroom to the exit
• Move the mattress near the pickup point if possible

Important Notes

• Do NOT wrap in plastic unless specifically required by your local service (many facilities prefer unwrapped)
• If you're using MRC, some locations require drop-off in unwrapped condition
• If you're using 1-800 Got Junk, they handle everything; no prep needed beyond clearing access

What happens if you skip preparation? Pickup services may refuse collection or charge extra fees for bed bugs, blocked access, or unprepared mattresses.

Want to know what happens to your mattress once you hand it over? Here's how the recycling process works.

How Are Mattress Materials Recycled?

Mattresses are recycled by breaking them apart, separating different materials such as steel, foam, and textiles, and then recycling each material type individually.

It takes between 5 and 10 minutes for a recycling facility to dismantle a mattress. Typically, up to 85% of mattress components can be reclaimed (Madero et al., 2025).

These are some of the different ways in which they can be repurposed.

• Polyurethane scrap foam from a memory foam mattress is extracted and shredded, and reused as bonded carpet underlay
• Mixed textiles are used in the furniture industry, including for mattress toppers, gym mats, window seat pads, and furniture cushions
• Steel springs are reported as the most valuable reclaimed mattress material and also the easiest to recover. They are usually sent for scrap metal recycling
• Polyester from covers and outer layers is used for pet bedding, automotive felts, and soft toy stuffing

Sources: End of Life Mattress Report, MRC, Europur

Is it time to recycle your mattress? Here's how to tell when your existing one is past its best.

How do I Know if I Need a New Mattress?

If you’re unsure whether your mattress needs replacing, watch for the following signs.

• You generally wake up feeling stiff or sore.
• You have a non-organic mattress that is more than seven years old.
• You can feel springs or lumpy areas in the mattress.
• It's difficult to find a comfortable position on your mattress.

If you're experiencing any of these signs, it might be time to start shopping for a new mattress. When you do, I strongly recommend you choose an organic or eco-friendly mattress and not a synthetic one.

Our guide to the best sustainable mattresses can help you find a recyclable, non-toxic mattress that meets your comfort requirements and fits your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is mattress recycling so important?

Mattress recycling is important because not doing so is harmful to the environment. Mattresses that aren't recycled are typically either sent to a landfill, incinerated, or illegally dumped. In each case, there is a consequence to the environment.

• To Keep Mattresses out of Landfill. A mattress can take 80–120 years to fully break down in a landfill. During this time, its components emit greenhouse gases and release additives, plasticizers, dyes, heavy metals, flame retardants, and solvents into landfill leachate (Madero et al., 2025).
• To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Recycling a mattress saves 76 kg of CO2 emissions compared to incineration (World Economic Forum). Recycling reduces emissions by 90% compared to sending a mattress to landfill (Glew et al., 2012).
• To Stop Illegal Dumping, which harms our communities and costs thousands of taxpayer dollars to clear up. There are no official government figures, but Waste Today magazine estimates 50,000 mattresses are dumped illegally every day in the USA.

It is important to do whatever you can to stop that from happening.

How much does it cost to recycle a mattress?

Mattress recycling is free if you use the MRC and drop off the mattress yourself.

Other removal and recycling services charge a small fee, which depends on the service you use and where you live. As an indication, recycling a mattress through 1-800 Got Junk costs around $118.

What are the best low-cost mattress disposal options for budget-conscious users?

The Mattress Recycling Council or DIY disposal options are best for budget-conscious individuals because both are free.

Donation is also free, although those on low budgets are less likely to want to donate a mattress that is still in usable condition.

Can I recycle a memory foam mattress?

Yes, you can recycle memory foam mattresses, and the foam can be shredded and reused.

Can mattresses be recycled if they have bed bugs?

No, if a mattress is infested with bed bugs, it is not eligible to be recycled.

Bed bugs don't affect the usefulness of either the wooden frame or the metal springs within a mattress, so it is still possible for at least part of it to be recycled if you do it yourself.

Can I recycle a mattress with fire damage?

No, the MRC and most local recycling facilities cannot recycle mattresses with fire damage. However, removal services such as 1-800 Got Junk will still remove them for you.

Can I recycle a mattress that's been soiled or stained?

Most recyclers, such as the MRC accept lightly soiled or stained mattresses but refuse those that are heavily stained. If you are unsure, contact the recycler in advance and send them a picture of the stain.

Another option is to try to remove the stain yourself first. Our guide on how to remove brown stains from a mattress can help.

How Can I Recycle Box Springs?

You can recycle box springs through the MRC, who accept box springs as well as mattresses. If you don't live in a qualifying state, use 1-800 Got Junk or the DIY recycling process described above.