Mattress Recycling in San Diego, CA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• City of Santee: Landfill Passes (opens in new tab) · City of Santee
  • Santee homeowners must show a valid driver's license and a residential water or electric bill to get passes. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bye Bye Mattress: Find a facility (locator) (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
  • Bye Bye Mattress lists Republic Services' Sycamore Landfill, 8514 Mast Blvd., Santee, with no limit (call before large quantities). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Sycamore Landfill offers free mattress drop-off for residents and businesses; fees apply if mattresses and box springs come in with other items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • 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.
• City of San Diego: Recycling Mattresses and Box Springs (opens in new tab) · City of San Diego Environmental Services
  • The City accepts mattresses and box springs free at the Mattress Collection Site, 5161 Convoy St., San Diego 92111, next to the HHW Transfer Facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items must not be severely damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, soiled or infested with bedbugs; there is no drop-off limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items accepted must have been used and discarded in California. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The City of San Diego does not provide bulky item pickup or curbside pick-up services. 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.