Mattress Recycling in San Francisco, CA
Recology picks up unusable mattresses with a free bulky appointment; the SF Transfer Station takes the first 4 recyclable mattresses a day at no charge, then $21.85 each.
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Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Count each piece separately: mattress, box spring and topper can be priced differently.
- Check for moisture, mold or bed bugs; many recyclers refuse damaged bedding.
- Confirm per-piece pricing and whether wrapping or an appointment is required.
California rules
- 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). Source: Bye Bye Mattress: Mattress Disposal in California (opens in new tab)
- Retailers may refuse to pick up a contaminated mattress; the recycling fee is not refunded in that case. Source: Bye Bye Mattress: California Retailer Pick Up FAQ (opens in new tab)
More California rules (8)
- California's mattress recycling fee changed to $18.00 on April 1, 2026. Source: Mattress Recycling Council: California program (opens in new tab)
- Some local governments provide free bulky item pickup; Bye Bye Mattress keeps a directory and notes which recycle with the program. Source: Bye Bye Mattress: Mattress Disposal in California (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Source: CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (28)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- SF Transfer Station & Hazardous Waste Facility (opens in new tab) · Recology San Francisco
- A $60 minimum disposal fee applies to all loads. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Uncovered loads are charged an extra $20. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mattresses and box springs meeting recyclability criteria are free up to 4 per day, then $21.85 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
- After the first 4 units per day, mattresses cost $21.85 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Free units must be intact, reasonably dry and free of mold, insects and severe damage or stains. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mattresses & box springs (unusable) (SF Recycles) (opens in new tab) · San Francisco Environment Department
- SF Environment lists the transfer station public dump as serving businesses and residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Bulky Items - Recology San Francisco (opens in new tab) · Recology San Francisco
- Buildings of 5 units or fewer get two curbside bulky collections a year at no additional charge; each unit in larger buildings gets one. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Up to 10 items per collection appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Recology Bulky Item Recycling Pick-up Service (SF Recycles) (opens in new tab) · San Francisco Environment Department
- SF Environment: free service for San Francisco residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
- SF Environment lists unusable mattresses and box springs as accepted by Recology bulky item pickup. 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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