6 Mattress Disposal Tips & Locations in San Diego

The Better Sleep Council recommends you get a new mattress every seven years. If you’re following this advice and decide it’s time for an upgrade, you may be wondering how to dispose of an old mattress. Every day, Americans dump 50,000 mattresses into landfills, even though an astounding 80% of the material can be recycled or re-purposed for other uses.

San Diego Mattress Disposal Truck

Fine Furniture San Diego offers mattress removal services. Schedule an appointment here.

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Bye Bye Mattress – California’s Mattress Recycling Program

Bye Bye Mattress

Fortunately, there are several responsible ways to get rid of an old mattress. Because of the environmental concerns associated with mattress disposal, California recently enacted the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act to make recycling mattresses easier.

With the help of the Mattress Recycling Council, they founded the website Bye Bye Mattress to help Californians find a convenient location to recycle their mattress. In California, you pay a $10.50 fee when purchasing a mattress or box spring, which goes to fund these programs. When recycling, you can collect a $3 return at participating locations.

California’s dedication to reducing waste means that mattress disposal in San Diego is easier than ever. Whatever your situation, you have several options in the metro area. Here are some environmentally responsible (and economical!) ways to get rid of your mattress.

6 Ways to Recycle Your Old Mattress in San Diego

1) Free Mattress Collection

If you purchased a new mattress and are having it delivered, the retailer you bought it from may offer free collection, too. This makes it super easy to swap out the new for the old without doing any extra hauling or hiring. Some exclusions apply to this offer, depending on what mail carrier the furniture retailer uses, but when in doubt, ask!

2) City Recycling Events

The City of San Diego hosts occasional recycling events for dropping off large household items that are difficult to recycle, such as mattresses. These events for convenient mattress disposal in San Diego are only open to city residents and take place at central locations. To keep an eye out for upcoming recycling events, visit the city website or search for your zip code under Bye Bye Mattresses’ recycling locator.

3) Otay Landfill

1700 Maxwell Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91911

Located a short drive outside of San Diego, this is one of the Mattress Recycling Council’s partnering locations. Residents can drop-off up to five old mattresses for free per day. They also accept mattress disposal from businesses, but for a fee.

They are open 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday and 8:00-12:00pm Saturday. For more information, call 619-421-3773.

4) El Cajon Transfer Station

Address: 915 O’Conner St., El Cajon, CA 92020

This is another location that partners with the Mattress Recycling Council, located just northeast of San Diego. Drop-off is free and available for city residents only, no businesses.

Mattresses are accepted at the scalehouse from 8:00am-3:00pm Monday-Friday and 8:00am-11:00am Saturday. For more information, call 619-596-5100.

5) Hire a Hauling Service

If you can’t haul your own mattress out to a recycling center, you can hire a moving service to collect and dispose of it properly. This can be a convenient option if you don’t have a way to transport your old mattress and it’s not in good enough condition to donate. The fee for this service can vary depending on your location, the size of the mattress, and the company you use. Some local hauling businesses include College Hunks Hauling Junk and Fred’s Junk Removal; visit their websites for a quote.

Optionally, Donate to a Local Charity!

If your mattress is still in good condition, consider donating it to a local charity. Many offer free local pick-up for donations. You may also be eligible for a tax deduction for donating your mattress. Contact a local Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, ReStore, or homeless shelter to find out more about their donation programs and policies.

Mattress Disposal in the Greater Southern California Area

If you are outside of San Diego, head to Bye Bye Mattress to find a mattress recycling location near you. By recycling your old mattress, you reduce your environmental footprint on the earth. Knowing you made an environmentally responsible choice will definitely help you get a good night’s sleep on your new mattress!

Mattress and foundation

If you’re still looking for a new one, browse Fine Furniture San Diego’s mattress collection today.

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