Quick answer: In the Sacramento area you can get rid of a mattress for free in four ways:
- Drop it off at a Bye Bye Mattress recycling site. California's statewide program takes mattresses and box springs free, and the Yolo County Central Landfill near Woodland is one of the sites.
- Book your city's free bulky item pickup. The City of Sacramento offers up to two a year, West Sacramento two a year, and unincorporated Sacramento County one.
- Have the store take your old one when you buy new. California retailers must offer to take your old mattress at no extra cost.
- Give it away, if it's clean and in good shape.
If you can't wait for an appointment or can't move it yourself, a junk removal company like Ready Now can pick it up from any room, usually the same or next day.
Below is how each option works, plus the catches.
1. Drop it off free with Bye Bye Mattress
California charges a small recycling fee on every new mattress sold. That money funds Bye Bye Mattress, a program run by the Mattress Recycling Council that lets residents drop off mattresses and box springs for free at participating facilities. About 75% of a mattress (steel springs, foam, fabric and wood) can be recycled.
- Find a site: use the locator at ByeByeMattress.com. Participating locations and hours change, so check before you load up.
- Near West Sacramento and Davis: the Yolo County Central Landfill (between Davis and Woodland) collects mattresses through the free Bye Bye Mattress program.
- The catch: you need a truck or van, plus someone to help you lift. A queen mattress weighs 50 to 100+ pounds and doesn't fit in most cars.
2. Use your city's free bulky item pickup
Most local garbage services include free bulky pickups that cover mattresses. Rules as of 2026:
| Where you live | Free pickups | How to book | Key rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Sacramento | Up to 2 household junk pickups per year (February–October) | Call 3-1-1 or use the city's online portal | Pile no bigger than 4' × 4' × 9'; out by 6 a.m., no more than 24 hours early |
| West Sacramento | 2 bulky pickups per year (July 1–June 30) | Waste Management, (866) 844-1508 | After both, ask the city about a landfill voucher |
| Unincorporated Sacramento County (Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Antelope, Rio Linda, Orangevale, etc.) | 1 per 12 months; extra pickups $25 | SacGreenTeam app or 3-1-1 | Pile up to 8' × 4' × 4' |
The catch: you have to carry the mattress to the curb yourself, and you may wait a week or more for an open appointment. Leaving a mattress out without an appointment counts as illegal dumping and can get you fined.
3. Let the store take it back when you buy a new one
If you're replacing your mattress, this is the easiest free option. Under California's mattress recycling law, retailers must offer to take back your old mattress at no extra cost when they deliver a new one. That includes online purchases, which have up to 30 days to arrange the pickup. Ask about take-back before you check out.
4. Give it away (if it's in good shape)
A clean, stain-free mattress that's only a few years old can find a new home through Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor or a local Buy Nothing group. Most thrift stores and charities don't accept used mattresses for hygiene reasons, so call before you drive one over.
What NOT to do
- Don't leave it on the curb or in an alley. Without a scheduled pickup, that's illegal dumping, and cities issue fines.
- Don't squeeze it into an apartment dumpster. Most complexes charge tenants for bulky items left behind.
- Don't hire an unlicensed "cash hauler" off a flyer. Sacramento County warns that if your items get dumped illegally and traced back to you, you can be held responsible for the cleanup.
When paying for mattress pickup is worth it
Free options are great if you have time, a truck and a strong friend. Paying for pickup makes sense when:
- You need it gone today or this week
- The mattress is upstairs or in a back bedroom
- You've used up your free pickups for the year
- You're also getting rid of a bed frame, box spring or other furniture
- You're moving out and need the unit empty for inspection
Ready Now Junk Removal picks up mattresses, box springs and bed frames across Sacramento, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland and nearby cities. We carry them out of any room, and we take mattresses to recycling whenever we can instead of the landfill. Jobs start at a $99 minimum, and we confirm an upfront price before we lift anything.
👉 Get a free mattress removal quote, or call or text photos to (916) 249-1009. More details on our mattress removal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I drop off a mattress for free near Sacramento?
At a participating Bye Bye Mattress facility. Use the locator at ByeByeMattress.com to find the closest one; the Yolo County Central Landfill near Woodland is one of them. Check hours before you go.
Does the City of Sacramento pick up mattresses for free?
Yes. Worn-out mattresses can go in the city's free household junk pickup, which residents can book up to twice a year from February through October by calling 3-1-1.
Can I put a mattress in my garbage bin or dumpster?
No. Mattresses are bulky items and need a scheduled bulky pickup, a recycling drop-off, or a hauler. Leaving one by a dumpster or on the curb without an appointment can be treated as illegal dumping.
Will Goodwill or the Salvation Army take a used mattress?
Usually not. Most donation centers don't accept used mattresses for hygiene reasons. Call your local store first.
How much does mattress pickup cost in Sacramento?
It depends on the company and how many items you have. At Ready Now Junk Removal, jobs start at a $99 minimum, and adding a box spring or frame usually costs only a little more. Text photos to (916) 249-1009 for an exact price.
Program rules change. Confirm current details with your city, Waste Management or ByeByeMattress.com before you go.
Need junk hauled in the Sacramento area?
Ready Now Junk Removal is a locally owned crew based in West Sacramento. We serve West Sacramento, Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Elk Grove, Roseville and more.
Call or text (916) 249-1009 or get a free quote.
