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Mattress Recycling in El Cajon, CA

The El Cajon Transfer Station (925 O'Conner St.) takes up to five mattresses per vehicle free from residents through Bye Bye Mattress.

See all 4 options
Close-up of a patterned mattress beside a wooden floor
Illustrative item photographErik Mclean / Pexels (opens in new tab)

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

4 ways to get rid of a mattress in El Cajon

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

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  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · El CajonNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $95.00
    How it works

    Book online, set out your mattress and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.

    Book a pickup →

  2. El Cajon Transfer Station mattress drop-off (925 O'Conner St.)Pickup service · El CajonFree
    How it works

    Bye Bye Mattress collection site at the El Cajon Transfer Station, 925 O'Conner St.: free for residents, 5 per vehicle.

  3. Otay Landfill and Compost FacilityCounty service · San Diego CountyOpen to everyoneFree
    How it works

    Republic Services site at 1700 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (unincorporated San Diego County).

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  4. Bye Bye Mattress California (Mattress Recycling Council)Nonprofit service · CaliforniaCalifornia residentsFree
    How it works

    California mattress stewardship program run by the Mattress Recycling Council with CalRecycle oversight. Mattresses and box springs (foundations) used in California can be dropped off at no additional cost at more than 240 participating permanent sites and about 100 events a year; check the Bye Bye Mattress locator and contact the site first.

    Cost & rules
    • Mattresses used in California, any condition or age; a futon mattress that separates from its frame counts. Not covered: crib or bassinet mattresses, sofa beds, air mattresses or water beds without upholstery, stripped mattresses, out-of-state units.
    • Check acceptable items and contact the location before you go.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

  1. Count each piece separately: mattress, box spring and topper can be priced differently.
  2. Check for moisture, mold or bed bugs; many recyclers refuse damaged bedding.
  3. Confirm per-piece pricing and whether wrapping or an appointment is required.
More about mattresses

California rules

More California rules (8)
Where this information comes from (23)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Bye Bye Mattress: Find a facility (locator) (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
    • Bye Bye Mattress lists collection sites in California that take mattresses for recycling; each listing states its service type, e.g. free drop-off for residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Bye Bye Mattress lists the Otay Landfill as a mattress collection site with no limit (call before large quantities). Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Service type: free drop-off for businesses and residents; open 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturdays. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Bye Bye Mattress lists the El Cajon Transfer Station, 925 O'Conner St., with a 5-unit maximum per vehicle. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Service type: free drop-off for residents; business drop-off not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
    • CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bye Bye Mattress: Mattress Disposal in California (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
    • Bye Bye Mattress lets you drop off an old mattress at no additional cost at participating locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Before going, check acceptable items and contact the location with questions. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Businesses can drop off units at no cost at participating locations, but unit limits may apply and an appointment may be required. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Businesses with at least 100 mattresses can arrange a pickup through the Commercial Volume Program. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • When a new mattress is delivered, California law requires the retailer to offer to take back your old mattress at no additional cost (delivery fees may still apply; the retailer has up to 30 days and may refuse a mattress that poses a health or safety risk). Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Some local governments provide free bulky item pickup; Bye Bye Mattress keeps a directory and notes which recycle with the program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bye Bye Mattress: What's Accepted/Unaccepted in California (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
    • Mattresses and foundations (box springs) used and discarded by California consumers, individuals or businesses, qualify for no-cost drop-off in any condition and of any age. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • In California a futon mattress that separates from its frame counts as a mattress. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Not covered: bed frames, air mattresses without upholstery, crib and bassinet mattresses, cushions, futon frames, sofa beds, water beds without upholstery, pillows, sleeping bags, stripped mattresses and out-of-state units. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Out-of-state mattresses and foundations (not from a California consumer or not used in California) are excluded. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bye Bye Mattress: California Retailer Pick Up FAQ (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
    • Retailers may refuse to pick up a contaminated mattress; the recycling fee is not refunded in that case. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Mattress Recycling Council: California program (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
    • California's mattress recycling fee changed to $18.00 on April 1, 2026. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

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