You can’t put a mattress in your trash bin in Los Angeles, and most charities won’t take one. California does make mattress recycling easier than most states, though. Here are your options.
1. Free mattress recycling drop-off (Bye Bye Mattress)
California’s Bye Bye Mattress program, run by the Mattress Recycling Council, funds free drop-off of mattresses and box springs at participating collection sites and recyclers. Search for the closest location on the program’s website. You’ll need a vehicle big enough to carry the mattress.
2. Retailer take-back
Buying a new mattress? Ask the retailer to take the old one back when they deliver the new one. In California, retailers generally offer this at delivery. Make sure it’s arranged at checkout.
3. City bulky-item pickup
Residents serviced by LA Sanitation can include a mattress in a free bulky-item pickup booked through MyLA311. Neighboring cities have their own rules. See our LA bulky-item pickup guide.
4. Donate (only if it’s like-new)
Most charities refuse mattresses for hygiene reasons. Some shelters and furniture banks accept new or like-new mattresses with the law tag intact. Call first.
5. Mattress pickup service
The quickest option is a junk removal company, which takes the mattress, box spring and frame from any room the same day. Typical LA pricing is $129–$175 for a single mattress set. Blaze takes mattresses to recyclers whenever possible. See our mattress removal service.
What about bed bugs?
If your mattress has bed bugs, wrap it fully in plastic before moving it, label it, and tell your hauler when you book. Never donate or give away an infested mattress.
What happens to a recycled mattress?
Mattresses are broken down into steel springs (recycled as scrap metal), foam (made into carpet padding), fibers and wood. Most of a mattress can be recycled instead of sent to the landfill.