Mattress Disposal Cost in San Diego: Free Drop-Off, Recycling & Pickup Options
Free mattress drop-off at the City's Miramar collection site, what it accepts, why neither the City nor Bye Bye Mattress picks up, and when paid mattress pickup makes sense.
Program rules, hours and accepted items can change. Confirm current details with the City of San Diego, Bye Bye Mattress, or the facility before you go. Diamond Hands is an independent company and is not affiliated with the City of San Diego, the Mattress Recycling Council, or Bye Bye Mattress.
Quick answer
- Can I dispose of a mattress for free in San Diego? Yes. Eligible mattresses and box springs can be dropped off for free at the City of San Diego's Mattress Collection Site at the Miramar Landfill entrance.
- Will the City pick it up from my home? No. The City of San Diego does not currently provide bulky-item or curbside pickup.
- Does Bye Bye Mattress pick it up? No. Bye Bye Mattress is a network of collection sites and recyclers; it does not offer curbside pickup for individuals.
- When does paid pickup make sense? When you need the mattress carried out from inside, can't transport it yourself, have stairs or tight access, or need a specific pickup window.
Free option: the City's Miramar Mattress Collection Site
The City of San Diego participates in the Mattress Recycling Council's Bye Bye Mattress program. Eligible mattresses and box springs are accepted free for recycling at the Mattress Collection Site at the Miramar Landfill entrance, 5161 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111.
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Closed weekends and listed holidays
- No drop-off limit for eligible mattresses and box springs
- You transport and unload it yourself
Hours and rules can change, so check the City's current guidance before you drive over. Other recycling and drop-off locations are listed on the Bye Bye Mattress facility finder and on WasteFreeSD.
What Miramar accepts and doesn't accept
Accepted
- Mattresses and box springs in recyclable condition
- Futon mattresses, only when separated from the frame or base
Not accepted
- Mattresses or box springs that are severely damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, heavily soiled, or infested with bedbugs
- Mattress pads and toppers, pillows, and loose bedding
- Air mattresses and waterbeds
- Foldout sofa beds and futon frames
- Household furniture
Free self-drop-off vs paid pickup
Free self-drop-off (Miramar or another collection site)
- Cost: free for eligible mattresses and box springs
- You need: a truck or large vehicle, someone to help lift, and time during weekday hours
- Condition matters: wet, soiled, damaged or infested mattresses are turned away
- Nobody comes to your home — you carry it out and load it
Paid pickup (a hauler or removal service)
- Cost: a service fee, usually based on size, weight and access
- The crew carries it out from the room it's in, including stairs
- You pick a pickup window instead of driving across town on a weekday
- Useful when you have no vehicle, a walk-up unit, or a move-out deadline
Other options
- Haul-away with a new mattress. Many mattress retailers offer to take the old one when they deliver the new one. Terms and fees vary by retailer and usually only apply on delivery day, so ask at checkout.
- Donation. Some charities accept used mattresses only in very good condition, and most won't pick up. Call before you load.
- Apartment or HOA service. If you rent, ask your property manager whether the property contracts its own bulky-item service.
Don't leave a mattress at the curb. Because the City does not run curbside bulky pickup, a mattress left out is illegal dumping.
How much does paid mattress removal cost?
Pricing varies by company, so get a written quote. For reference, Diamond Hands prices removal by weight: $150 for items up to 150 lbs (most twin and full mattresses), $240 for 150–250 lbs, and $2/lb over 250 lbs. A $100 landfill fee per 300 lbs applies only when an item can't be donated or recycled, and a box spring on the same trip is priced as a discounted extra piece.
If you want it carried out and hauled away, see our mattress removal service to book a crew. If you're getting rid of more than a mattress, junk removal can take the rest on the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I dispose of a mattress for free in San Diego?
- Eligible mattresses and box springs can be dropped off free at the City of San Diego's Mattress Collection Site at the Miramar Landfill entrance, 5161 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111, Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Other drop-off sites are listed on ByeByeMattress.com and WasteFreeSD. Confirm current hours and rules before you go.
- Does San Diego offer mattress pickup?
- No. The City of San Diego does not currently provide bulky-item or curbside pickup, including for mattresses. You can drop an eligible mattress at the Miramar collection site yourself or hire a private pickup service.
- Does Bye Bye Mattress pick up mattresses?
- No. Bye Bye Mattress, run by the Mattress Recycling Council, is a network of collection sites and recyclers. It does not provide curbside pickup for individuals.
- Can I recycle a box spring?
- Yes. Eligible box springs are accepted along with mattresses at the Miramar Mattress Collection Site, as long as they aren't severely damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, heavily soiled, or infested.
- Can I recycle a wet, soiled or bedbug-infested mattress?
- Not at the Miramar mattress drop-off. Mattresses that are wet, heavily soiled, severely damaged, twisted, frozen, or infested with bedbugs are not eligible there. Check WasteFreeSD for current disposal options.
- What if I can't transport the mattress myself?
- Because neither the City nor Bye Bye Mattress picks up from homes, you'd need a private service. A removal crew can carry it out from the room it's in and haul it away.
- How much does paid mattress removal cost?
- It varies by company, size and access. Diamond Hands prices by weight, starting at $150, and you see the exact total before you confirm.
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