If a new mattress is on its way, sort out the old one before delivery day, not after. Check whether your order includes haul-away and what it requires. If it does not, book a recycling pickup for the day after delivery, so you can sleep on the old mattress until the new one arrives and put it at the curb that evening. Do not plan on the trash: in Massachusetts it will not be taken.
Holiday mattress sales are about to start, and every year the same thing happens. The new mattress arrives, the old one goes into the hallway or the garage "for now," and three weeks later it is still there. Here is how to avoid that, and what each option actually costs.
Will the delivery crew take the old mattress?
Sometimes, but do not assume it. Haul-away is something you arrange with the retailer when you order, not something the crew decides at your door. Many retailers offer it, sometimes free and often as a paid add-on. It usually comes with conditions, which vary by store. The common ones:
- It has to be booked with the order, not requested on the day
- The old mattress has to be stripped and ready to move when the crew arrives
- It is often limited to the same number of pieces being delivered
- A mattress that is wet, soiled or shows signs of bed bugs may be refused
If you bought a mattress that ships compressed in a box by parcel carrier, there is generally no removal at all. The box arrives on the doorstep and the old mattress is still yours to deal with. Whatever you bought, read the order confirmation rather than the sales page. That is where the haul-away terms actually are.
Why can't it just go out with the trash?
Since November 1, 2022, MassDEP has banned mattresses from disposal in Massachusetts, and from being transported for disposal, with a narrow exception for contaminated mattresses. In practice that means the crew that collects your trash will not take it, and a mattress left at the curb without a recycling pickup booked usually just sits there. Our guide to mattress recycling in Boston covers the rule and what happens to a mattress after it is collected. The state's list of banned materials is on mass.gov.
What are your options, and what do they cost?
1. Retailer haul-away
The easiest route if it is offered and you booked it. The price ranges from free to a paid add-on depending on the retailer and the promotion, so check the order. The catch is the conditions above. If the crew refuses the mattress on the day, you are back to the options below with less time.
2. Your city or town
Some municipalities arrange mattress collection for residents, with their own rules, fees and schedules. Check your town's public works page before you plan around it. In Boston, the City states that it does not collect mattresses from buildings with more than six units, and that residents need to contact a mattress recycling hauler.
3. Drop it off yourself
Some recyclers accept mattresses dropped off directly, for a fee. The catch is transport. A queen mattress does not fit in most cars, and renting a van for the afternoon usually costs more than the problem is worth.
4. Book a curbside recycling pickup
You put the mattress out at the curb, and a crew collects it on the day you choose and takes it for recycling. With Casa Blanca Services, Inc. that is $79 per mattress and $79 per box spring, with recycling included and no separate disposal fee added afterwards. You do not need to be home. If the new bed comes with a new box spring too, the old one goes on the same pickup.
How do you get it handled the day the new one arrives?
Book the pickup when you book the delivery, not after. A pickup date chosen in advance is at the standard rate. The earliest available day is next-day, which adds $40 to the order. There is no same-day booking, so the way to have it handled on delivery day is to schedule it ahead.
The timing that works for most people:
- A week or more out: book the pickup for the day after your delivery date.
- Delivery day: new mattress in, old mattress stripped and moved to the door.
- That evening: old mattress out to the curb, accessible from the street.
- Next day: it is collected. You do not need to be there.
If you have somewhere to stand the old mattress overnight, a spare room or a garage, you can book the pickup for the delivery day itself instead. Holiday delivery windows slip, so check the date the day before. If it moves, move the pickup with it. Rescheduling is free.
A few things that make pickup go smoothly
- Rain: a wet mattress is heavier but still recyclable, so the pickup goes ahead. Wrap it in plastic if you want to keep it dry. It is welcome, not required.
- Inside, upstairs or in an apartment: the standard price covers curbside. If the mattress needs carrying out, call before you book so it can be scoped.
- Bed frames: it depends what they are made of. Ask when you book.
- More than one: replacing a whole house of beds at once? The pricing is per piece. For larger volumes, ask for a quote.
Casa Blanca Services, Inc. is listed by the City of Boston as a mattress recycling hauler, and every mattress we collect is dismantled and recycled to Massachusetts state standards. You can book a mattress pickup online at $79 per mattress or box spring and choose the date that lines up with your delivery.
Common Questions
Will the delivery crew take my old mattress?
Only if haul-away was arranged with your order, and only on the retailer's terms. Many retailers offer it, sometimes free and often as a paid add-on, usually with conditions about the mattress being ready, accessible and in acceptable condition. Mattresses shipped in a box by parcel carrier generally come with no removal at all. Check your order confirmation, not the sales page.
Do I need to replace the box spring too?
Not always. Many newer mattresses are designed for a platform or slatted base and do not need one, while others are sold as a set. Check what the manufacturer specifies for the new mattress. If the old box spring is going, it goes on the same pickup at $79.
When should I schedule pickup of the old mattress?
For most people, the day after the new one is delivered. You sleep on the old mattress until delivery, the new one goes in, and the old one goes out to the curb that evening for the next day's pickup. If you have somewhere to stand the old one, booking for the delivery day itself also works.
How much does mattress pickup cost?
With Casa Blanca Services, Inc., $79 per mattress and $79 per box spring, curbside, with recycling included. Next-day pickup adds $40 to the whole order, once, however many pieces are on it.
What if my delivery date moves?
Move the pickup with it. Rescheduling with us is free; call and we will put you on another weekday. Delivery windows slip often during the holidays, so it is worth checking the date the day before.
Written by Yacine Ibrahimi, Founder & CEO of Casablanca Services, Inc.. Casablanca Services has worked in Greater Boston since 2005 and is listed by the City of Boston as a local mattress recycler. Questions? Call (508) 271-5655.