Los Angeles throws away 50,000 mattresses illegally each year—dumped in alleys, left on sidewalks, abandoned in empty lots. The city responds with $500-3,000 fines and surveillance cameras everywhere. Meanwhile, legal disposal is often free. Here's every legal way to get rid of your old mattress in LA, from free city pickup to same-day removal services.
Free LA City Pickup (Best Option)
LA Sanitation bulky item pickup:Completely free for city residents. Schedule online or call.
How to schedule:
- Website: MyLA311.lacity.org
- Phone: 1-800-773-2489
- App: MyLA311 mobile
Requirements:
- Place curbside night before
- Wrap in plastic (law requires)
- 4 items maximum per pickup
- Cannot block sidewalk
Timeline:
- Regular season: 7-10 days wait
- Peak times: 2-3 weeks
- After holidays: 3+ weeks
Pickup days vary by address. Check your specific schedule.
California Mattress Recycling Program
Bye Bye Mattress locations:Free drop-off. 95% of mattress recycled.
LA area locations:
- Downtown: 459 E Jefferson Blvd
- Sun Valley: 11030 Randall St
- Gardena: 1908 W 130th St
- Huntington Park: 7121 Alameda St
What to know:
- No appointment needed
- Proof of California residency
- Mattress and box springs accepted
- Any condition except bed bugs
- Must transport yourself
Recycling process:Steel becomes new products. Foam becomes carpet padding. Wood becomes mulch.
Retailer Take-Back Programs
Who removes old mattresses:
Mattress Firm:Free with delivery of new mattress
Sit 'n Sleep:Free haul-away with purchase
IKEA:$30-50 service fee
Costco:Included with white glove delivery
Online retailers:
- Saatva: Free removal
- Purple: Free with setup
- Nectar: Usually not
- Casper: Varies
Always ask when purchasing. Not automatic.
Illegal Dumping Consequences
Fines in LA:
- First offense: $500-1,500
- Second offense: $1,500-3,000
- Third offense: Criminal charges
How they catch you:
- Surveillance cameras everywhere
- Mattress traced to you
- Neighbors report
- Social media posts
Common illegal spots:
- Alleys (cameras watching)
- Empty lots (monitored)
- Others' dumpsters (trespassing)
- Street corners (obvious)
Reality: You will get caught. Fine costs more than legal disposal.
Paid Removal Services
Junk haulers:
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK: $99-175
- LoadUp: $79-129
- College Hunks: $89-149
- TaskRabbit: $50-100
What's included:
- They enter home
- Carry downstairs
- Load and haul
- Dispose legally
- Same/next day available
When worth it:Can't lift, no truck, need immediately.
City-Specific Rules
Los Angeles city:Free bulk pickup for residents
Beverly Hills:Annual free collection eventsRegular pickup: $35 fee
Santa Monica:Schedule pickup: (310) 458-8237Free for residents
Burbank:Bulk pickup: $37 feeCall Public Works
Glendale:Online scheduling requiredFree quarterly
Pasadena:Twice yearly freeOther times: Fee
Long Beach:Call (562) 570-2876Appointment required
Check your specific city website.
Special Circumstances
Bed bug infested:
- MUST wrap completely in plastic
- Mark "BED BUGS" clearly
- Cannot donate anywhere
- Cannot recycle normally
- Special handling required
- Disposal costs more
Severely damaged:
- Still accepted for recycling
- Wrap if falling apart
- Cannot donate
- Free programs still take
Memory foam:
- Heavier than spring
- Some recyclers won't accept
- Check before transporting
The Apartment Problem
No curbside access?Complexes often have bulk pickup areas
Options:
- Ask management about bulk days
- Coordinate with maintenance
- Hire removal service
- Transport to recycling center
Never:Leave by dumpster without permission
DIY Transport Tips
Truck/van needed:Mattresses don't fit in cars
Rental options:
- U-Haul pickup: $29.95 + mileage
- Home Depot truck: $19 first 75 minutes
Roof transport:
- Legal if properly secured
- Plastic wrap first
- Ratchet straps (not rope/bungee)
- Red flag if overhanging 4 feet
- Maximum 4 feet overhang
Safety:Drive under 45 mph. Surface streets only.
Donation Reality Check
Requirements for donation:
- No stains whatsoever
- No structural damage
- No odors
- Less than 7 years old
- All tags attached
- No bed bugs ever
Who might accept:
- Habitat for Humanity (rarely)
- Religious organizations (sometimes)
- Homeless shelters (almost never)
Truth: 95% of used mattresses rejected for donation
Breaking Down for Trash
Legal but difficult:Cut into pieces, dispose over weeks
Tools needed:
- Utility knife
- Wire cutters
- Saw
- Time and patience
Process:
- Remove fabric cover
- Cut foam into bags
- Dismantle springs
- Break frame
- Regular trash over time
Reality: Takes hours. Messy. Not worth it.
Timing Your Disposal
Best times:
- When buying new (retailer removes)
- During spring cleaning (city pickups available)
- Before moving (don't pay to move junk)
Worst times:
- December (everyone disposing)
- End of month (moving season)
- After holidays (backed up)
Cost Comparison
Free options:
- LA city pickup (residents)
- Retailer with purchase
- Recycling drop-off
Paid options:
- Junk removal: $79-175
- City fee (non-LA): $35-50
- Illegal dumping fine: $500+
Choose wisely.
Environmental Impact
Landfill problem:
- 50,000 cubic feet each
- 20 million discarded annually
- Take 80-120 years to decompose
- Release toxic chemicals
Recycling benefits:
- 95% of materials reusable
- Steel recyclable forever
- Foam becomes new products
- Reduces landfill burden
Do the right thing.
Quick Decision Guide
Have a truck?→ Drive to recycling center (free)
Buying new mattress?→ Ask retailer to remove (free-$50)
LA city resident?→ Schedule bulk pickup (free, wait 1-2 weeks)
Need gone today?→ Call junk hauler ($79-175)
Considering illegal dumping?→ Don't. Fine costs 10x more than legal options
Health Considerations
When to dispose immediately:
- Bed bugs confirmed
- Mold visible
- Allergens increasing
- Springs poking through
- Sagging severely
Temporary solution:Air mattress while waiting for disposal
The Moving Connection
Planning a move? This is perfect time to dispose. Don't pay to move a mattress you're replacing anyway.
SOS Moving insight:Moving old mattress costs $50-100 in space/time. New mattress delivered to new address: priceless. We see too many people move junk mattresses then immediately buy new ones.
Call 909-443-0004 if planning a move. We'll discuss whether moving or disposing your mattress makes more sense. Sometimes best moving strategy is leaving things behind legally.
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