You may not need to pay for mattress removal
California has some of the most progressive mattress recycling laws in the country. Before you book a paid removal with us, review these three situations where you can dispose of your mattress for free.
1. Retailer Take-Back (SB 254)
If you are having a new mattress delivered to your home by a retailer, California law requires them to offer to take your old mattress away at no additional cost. Always ask your retailer about this before delivery.
2. CalRecycle Drop-Off
You paid an $11 recycling fee when you bought your mattress. Because of this, you can drop off your old mattress at a certified Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) location in Kern County for free. You must haul it yourself.
3. City Bulky Item Pickup
Metro Bakersfield residents can use the city's bulky item pickup service (up to two items a month). You must schedule this in advance and you are responsible for carrying the mattress down to the curb yourself.
When full-service mattress removal makes sense
If the free public options are so good, why do people pay for mattress removal? Because the free options do not include inside-home labor, and they operate on strict schedules.
You cannot carry it outside
Modern memory foam mattresses are incredibly heavy, and king-size mattresses bend awkwardly in narrow hallways. Our primary value is the labor: we go up to the second-floor bedroom, carry the mattress down the stairs safely, and load it into our truck. You don't have to lift a finger.
You don't own a truck
While the CalRecycle MRC drop-off is free, a king mattress will not fit in a standard SUV. Strapping a mattress to the roof of a small car is dangerous and risks violating Kern County load-securing laws. We arrive with a dedicated, commercial hauling truck.
You are on a tight move-out deadline
City bulky-item pickups require scheduling days or weeks in advance, and retailers only take the mattress on the day of a new delivery. If you are moving out of an apartment tomorrow and need the bed gone immediately, we can often provide same-day service.
You have a mixed load of junk
If you are clearing out a garage or a bedroom, you likely have more than just a mattress. We can take the mattress, the broken bed frame, the dresser, and the bags of old clothing all in one single appointment.
How to prepare for your pickup
Strip the bedding
Please remove all sheets, blankets, and pillows from the mattress before we arrive. We can haul these away for you as well, but they need to be bagged separately.
Clear the pathway
Moving a mattress is a blind carry for the person walking backwards. Please clear the hallway and stairs of any tripping hazards, pet toys, or fragile décor.
Disclose bed bugs
Critical: If the mattress has bed bugs, you must tell us when requesting a quote. Special sealing protocols are required to protect our crew and truck.
Common questions about mattress removal
Can I leave a mattress on the curb in Bakersfield?
Only if you have scheduled a bulky-item pickup with the City in advance. Leaving a mattress on the curb, in an alleyway, or next to a dumpster without an appointment is considered illegal dumping and is subject to fines.
Will a retailer take my old mattress when delivering a new one?
Yes. Under California law, retailers must offer to take back your old mattress at no additional charge when delivering a new one. However, if the mattress is heavily soiled, wet, or infested, they are legally permitted to refuse it to protect their workers and delivery trucks.
Do you take box springs and bed frames too?
Yes, we take the entire bed setup. Box springs, metal frames, heavy wooden headboards, and motorized adjustable bases are all accepted. We will also bring tools to disassemble the frame if it cannot fit through the door.
Are mattresses recycled in California?
Yes. California operates a statewide mattress stewardship program. When we haul away a mattress, we take it to an approved MRC facility where it is broken down. The steel springs, polyurethane foam, wood frames, and cotton fibers are separated and sold as raw commodities.
- CalRecycle — Mattress Product Management
- CalRecycle — Mattress EPR Enforcement / Retailer Take-Back Law
- Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) — Bye Bye Mattress program
- Kern County Public Works — Curbside Large Item Collection
Local program rules, facility hours, and state regulations can change. Verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary source before attempting self-haul or demanding retailer take-back.