How to Get Rid of a Mattress in Palm Beach County: Laws, Costs, and Options
You finally bought a new mattress. The delivery guys brought it in, set it up, and now you're standing in your bedroom staring at the old one leaning against the wall.
"We don't take the old one," they said. "You'll have to arrange that separately."
Great. Now what?
That mattress is too big to fit in your car. Too awkward to carry by yourself. Too... mattress-y to just shove in a trash can. And you're pretty sure you can't just drag it to the curb and hope for the best.
If you're in Palm Beach County trying to figure out how to legally, affordably, and quickly get rid of a mattress, this guide is for you. We'll cover every option — from free to paid, DIY to done-for-you — so you can pick what works for your situation.
Why Mattresses Are Surprisingly Hard to Throw Away
Mattresses are one of those items that fall into a weird disposal gap. They're too big for regular trash pickup. Too bulky for most people to transport themselves. And increasingly, there are regulations about how they can be disposed of.
Here's what you're dealing with:
Size and weight. A queen mattress weighs 60-100 pounds and measures roughly 60" x 80". A king is even bigger. These aren't items you can fold up or break down easily.
Regular trash won't take them. In Palm Beach County, mattresses are classified as bulk waste. Your weekly curbside pickup won't touch them. They require special scheduling or drop-off.
Landfills are trying to divert them. Mattresses take up enormous space in landfills — about 23 cubic feet each — and don't compress well. Many disposal facilities now charge premium fees or require them to go to specific recycling programs.
They're actually recyclable. Up to 90% of a mattress can be recycled — metal springs, wood frames, foam, cotton, polyester. But recycling requires disassembly at specialized facilities, which adds complexity.
All of this means getting rid of a mattress takes more thought than getting rid of, say, an old chair.
Your Options for Mattress Disposal in Palm Beach County
Let's walk through every realistic option, with honest pros and cons:
Option 1: Palm Beach County Bulk Waste Pickup
The county offers bulk waste collection for residents. You can schedule a pickup for large items including mattresses.
How it works: Call the Solid Waste Authority or your municipality's waste department. Schedule a pickup date. Place the mattress at the curb on that day.
Cost: Usually free for residents (included in your waste fees), but policies vary by municipality. Some areas charge a small fee.
Pros: Free or low-cost. No transportation needed.
Cons: Scheduling can take 1-2 weeks. You have to get the mattress to the curb yourself. Specific pickup windows mean it might sit outside for a day or more. Not available in all areas — check with your specific city.
Best for: People with time to wait and ability to move the mattress to the curb.
Option 2: Self-Haul to Transfer Station
You can take a mattress directly to a Palm Beach County transfer station or the landfill yourself.
How it works: Load the mattress in a truck or trailer. Drive to an approved facility. Pay the disposal fee.
Cost: Approximately $5-15 per mattress at most facilities, plus your time and vehicle costs.
Pros: Same-day disposal. You control the timing.
Cons: Requires a truck or SUV large enough to fit a mattress. Loading and unloading by yourself. Facility hours are limited. Gas and time costs add up.
Best for: People with trucks who want it done immediately.
Option 3: Retailer Take-Back
Some mattress retailers offer haul-away service when delivering a new mattress.
How it works: When purchasing a new mattress, ask about their removal policy. If offered, they'll take the old one when they deliver the new one.
Cost: Usually $25-75 per mattress. Some retailers offer free removal with premium purchases.
Pros: Convenient — happens automatically with delivery. No separate scheduling.
Cons: Only works if you're buying new. Must be arranged at time of purchase. Old mattress must be accessible for removal. Some retailers have condition requirements (no bed bugs, no excessive staining).
Best for: People buying new mattresses who plan ahead.
Option 4: Donation (If It's in Good Condition)
Some charities accept mattress donations, though standards are strict.
How it works: Contact local charities to ask about mattress acceptance. If they'll take it, arrange drop-off or pickup.
Cost: Free.
Pros: Feels good. Someone else gets use from it. Potential tax deduction.
Cons: Most charities do NOT accept mattresses due to hygiene concerns and bed bug risks. Those that do require mattresses to be in excellent condition — no stains, no tears, no odors, relatively new. Pickup availability is limited.
Charities that sometimes accept mattresses:
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (policies vary by location)
Salvation Army (very selective)
Local homeless shelters (call first)
Reality check: If your mattress has any visible stains, wear, or is more than 7-8 years old, donation probably isn't an option.
Best for: Nearly-new mattresses in excellent condition.
Option 5: Professional Mattress Removal Service
A junk removal company picks up the mattress from inside your home and handles everything.
How it works: You call, they come, they take it. The mattress doesn't have to be at the curb — they'll grab it from your bedroom, basement, wherever it is.
Cost: Typically $75-150 for a single mattress. Less per item if you're getting rid of multiple mattresses or combining with other junk removal.
Pros: Zero effort on your part. Same-day service usually available. They handle stairs, tight spaces, everything. Proper disposal or recycling included.
Cons: Costs more than DIY options.
Best for: People who want it gone today without lifting a finger.
Mattress Disposal Options Comparison
| Option | Cost | Timeline | Effort Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Bulk Pickup | Free - $25 | 1-2 weeks | Medium (move to curb) | Budget-conscious, not urgent |
| Self-Haul to Dump | $5-15 + gas | Same day | High (truck + loading) | DIYers with trucks |
| Retailer Take-Back | $25-75 | With delivery | Low | Buying new mattress |
| Donation | Free | 1-2 weeks | Medium-High | Like-new mattresses only |
| Professional Removal | $75-150 | Same day | Zero | Want it gone now, no hassle |
What Actually Happens to Your Old Mattress
Ever wonder where mattresses go after disposal? It's more interesting than you'd think.
The recycling path:
When a mattress goes to a recycling facility, it gets disassembled by hand or machine. Here's what happens to each component:
Steel springs: Melted down and recycled into new steel products. A single mattress can contain 25+ pounds of steel.
Wood frame: Chipped for mulch, biomass fuel, or composite materials.
Foam: Shredded and used for carpet padding, pet beds, gym flooring, or insulation.
Cotton and fiber: Recycled into industrial materials, insulation, or filtration products.
Fabric cover: Often the hardest to recycle — may go to textile recyclers or, if too worn, to waste.
About 80-90% of a mattress is recyclable. The challenge is that recycling requires manual labor (those components don't separate themselves), and not every region has mattress recycling facilities.
The landfill reality:
Mattresses that don't get recycled end up in landfills. They're problematic there — they don't compress, they take up space, and the springs can damage equipment. Some landfills charge premium disposal fees specifically to discourage mattress dumping.
When you use a professional removal service that prioritizes recycling, more of your mattress gets a second life. When you dump it illegally on the side of the road (please don't), it either ends up in a landfill eventually or becomes someone else's problem.
Mattress Recycling: What Gets Recovered
| Material | % of Mattress | Recycled Into |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Springs | 25-30% | New steel products, appliances, cars |
| Foam (Polyurethane) | 25-35% | Carpet padding, pet beds, gym mats |
| Wood Frame | 15-20% | Mulch, biomass fuel, composite boards |
| Cotton/Fiber Fill | 10-15% | Insulation, filtration, industrial textiles |
| Fabric Cover | 5-10% | Textile recycling (limited markets) |
The Box Spring Question
Where there's a mattress, there's usually a box spring. Same disposal challenges, same options.
Most removal services price mattress and box spring sets together at a discount from two separate items. If you're getting rid of both, mention it when you call — you'll likely save money doing them together.
Same goes for bed frames. If the whole sleep setup is going, one trip handles everything.
Quick pricing for complete bed removal:
| Items | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Mattress only | $75 - $150 |
| Mattress + Box Spring | $100 - $175 |
| Mattress + Box Spring + Frame | $125 - $200 |
| Multiple beds (2+) | Volume discount — call for quote |
Special Situations
Bed Bugs
Let's address the thing nobody wants to talk about.
If your mattress has bed bugs — or if you're disposing of it because of a bed bug situation — special handling is required.
Do NOT:
Leave it at the curb without wrapping (spreads the infestation)
Donate it (obvious reasons)
Try to sell it (illegal in most places, definitely unethical)
DO:
Wrap it completely in plastic mattress bags (available at hardware stores)
Label it clearly as "BED BUGS" so no one picks it through
Schedule professional removal or bulk pickup ASAP
Professional mattress removal services will take bed bug mattresses, but you need to disclose this when you call. There may be additional fees for the extra precautions required.
Heavy or Oversized Mattresses
California kings, sleep number beds, pillow tops with extra padding — some mattresses are significantly heavier or more awkward than standard models.
This usually doesn't change your options, but it affects the DIY feasibility. A 150-pound California king mattress up a flight of stairs is not a one-person job. Factor this into your decision.
Multiple Mattresses
Clearing out a guest room? Handling an estate? Furnishing a rental property?
If you have three or more mattresses to remove, ask about volume pricing. Most services offer discounts for multiple items on the same trip.
The Questions People Ask
Is it illegal to dump a mattress on the side of the road?
Yes. Illegal dumping in Palm Beach County carries fines starting at $500 and can go much higher for repeat offenses. Beyond the legal issue, it's genuinely harmful — mattresses dumped illegally become eyesores, pest habitats, and someone else's problem. Don't do it.
Can I cut up a mattress and put it in regular trash?
Technically possible, but extremely difficult. Mattress springs are steel and will damage regular trash bags. The foam and fabric are bulky even when cut. Most people who try this give up halfway through. Not recommended.
How do I get a mattress downstairs by myself?
Short answer: you probably shouldn't try. Mattresses are awkward, not just heavy. They bend in the middle, catch on corners, and block your vision. Two people minimum, ideally with the mattress wrapped or bagged so you can grip it.
If you're physically unable to move it, professional removal services will come inside and get it from wherever it is — bedrooms, basements, upstairs, wherever.
What if my mattress is really old?
Age doesn't affect disposal options. We've removed mattresses from the 1970s. Whether it's 5 years old or 50, the removal process is the same.
Do I need to wrap or bag the mattress?
Not for professional removal. We'll handle it as-is. If you're using county bulk pickup, check their requirements — some municipalities require bagging, others don't.
Why People Put Off Mattress Disposal (And Why You Shouldn't)
That old mattress propped against your wall or taking up space in the garage — why is it still there?
Usually it's one of these:
"I'll deal with it this weekend." The weekends come and go. The mattress stays.
"I should try to sell it first." Used mattresses are almost impossible to sell. The market doesn't exist. People don't want stranger's mattresses. Let this one go.
"Maybe someone will take it for free." Same problem. Unless it's nearly new, nobody wants it. Posting "free mattress" on Craigslist leads to no-shows and wasted time.
"I'm not sure how to get rid of it." Now you know. Multiple options. Pick one.
The longer that mattress sits, the more it becomes background noise — an eyesore you've learned to ignore, a task that keeps getting pushed back, a small but persistent source of "I should really deal with that."
It's not going to get easier. The mattress isn't going to get lighter or smaller. Your schedule isn't going to magically open up.
The best time to get rid of it was when you got the new one. The second best time is today.
One Call, One Pickup, Done
Here's how this goes:
You call. You tell us you have a mattress (and box spring, and frame, and whatever else) that needs to go. We tell you the price. We schedule a time — often the same day.
We show up. We come inside, grab the mattress from wherever it is, carry it out, load it up. You don't touch it.
We drive away. The mattress goes to recycling or proper disposal. You have your space back.
Total time from phone call to empty room: often less than 24 hours. Your active involvement: about 5 minutes.
That old mattress has been taking up space long enough.
Ready to get rid of that mattress?
Junk Bull provides mattress removal and disposal across Palm Beach County, Martin County, and Broward County. Singles, sets, multiple beds — we take them all.
Call 561-344-6677 or book online at junkbull.com.
Same-day pickup available. We do the heavy lifting. You get your space back.
Junk Bull — Junk Removal & Demolition Serving Palm Beach, Martin & Broward Counties 📞 561-344-6677 🌐 www.junkbull.com
That mattress isn't going to walk itself out.
