Mattress disposal in Portland is more regulated than most people realize. Oregon was the fourth state to pass a mattress recycling law, which funds free disposal but also makes illegal dumping more enforceable. The good news: there are real free options. The catch: most require you to do the hauling yourself.
Here are the 6 ways to dispose of a mattress in Portland in 2026, ranked from cheapest to most expensive.
Option 1: Free — Bye Bye Mattress drop-off
Cost: $0 · Best for: Anyone with truck access
Oregon's state-mandated mattress recycling program (funded by a $22.50 fee on new mattress purchases) operates free drop-off sites across the metro. Any mattress in any condition can be dropped off — stained, broken, infested, doesn't matter, as long as it's not dripping with bedbugs that would require special handling.
Where to drop off in Portland:
- Metro Central Transfer Station (NW Portland) — accepts mattresses at no charge under the MRC program
- Metro South Transfer Station (Oregon City) — same
- Forest Grove Transfer Station — same
- Mattress Recycling Council collection events — periodic events in various Portland neighborhoods (check byebyemattress.com for current schedule)
The catch: you need to transport the mattress yourself. A typical queen mattress fits in the bed of a pickup truck or a full-size SUV with seats down. Smaller cars usually can't carry one without it sticking out, which is a road safety issue.
If you don't have a truck but have access to one for a few hours (friend, family, U-Haul rental at $20-$40 for a 1-hour drive), this is by far the cheapest option.
Option 2: Free — Buy Nothing / Marketplace giveaway
Cost: $0 · Best for: Mattresses in good condition, no stains, no bedbugs
Clean mattresses in usable condition disappear quickly on Portland's free networks. Post on Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, OfferUp, or Craigslist. List the size, age, and any condition issues honestly. Usable mattresses go in 1-3 days.
What gets picked up free:
- Twin, full, queen, and king mattresses less than 10 years old
- Mattresses without stains, tears, or smells
- Mattresses with the original tag still attached (signals age verifiable)
What won't get picked up free, even with patience:
- Mattresses with any visible stains (urine, blood, sweat)
- Mattresses from homes with reported bedbugs or pest issues
- Mattresses over 15 years old in poor condition
- Air mattresses, water beds (rarely wanted)
Option 3: Free — Donation pickup
Cost: $0 · Best for: Pristine mattresses, working with patience
Some Portland nonprofits will pick up donated mattresses if they meet condition standards.
- St. Vincent de Paul Portland — accepts unstained mattresses with no tears. Scheduled pickup, 1-2 weeks out typically.
- Community Warehouse — selective on condition but free pickup. Mattresses for families transitioning out of homelessness.
- Furniture banks and refugee resettlement organizations — sometimes accept mattresses for specific clients.
Most charities only accept mattresses in near-new condition because they redistribute them to families. If yours has any stains, tears, or significant wear, donation pickup likely won't accept it. Try option 2 (giveaway) instead.
Option 4: Retailer takeback when buying new
Cost: $0-$50 · Best for: Anyone buying a new mattress
Most Portland mattress retailers will haul away your old mattress when delivering the new one, often for free or a small fee. Just ask before purchasing.
- Bed Bath & Beyond, Mattress Firm, Sleep Country — free or $25-$50 haul-away when you buy a new mattress in-store
- Casper, Tuft & Needle, Purple (online direct-to-consumer) — varying policies, sometimes free pickup with delivery
- Costco — free haul-away when buying a new mattress, but only with specific delivery options selected
If you're already replacing the mattress, this is the easiest path. The retailer handles disposal compliance with Oregon's program.
Option 5: Garbage company bulky pickup
Cost: $30-$80 · Best for: Single mattress, no other items
Portland-area garbage companies (Republic, Waste Management, Pride Disposal, others) offer bulky waste pickup for an additional fee on top of regular service.
- Call your existing garbage company at least a week in advance
- Pay $30-$80 typically
- Set the mattress curbside the morning of pickup
- They handle disposal at the appropriate facility
The downside: you do the lifting and carrying to the curb. Heavy mattresses are awkward to move alone. If you can't move it yourself, this option doesn't work and you need a hauler.
Option 6: Junk removal company pickup
Cost: $85-$250 · Best for: Stained or damaged mattresses, no truck access, no lifting help
Pricing comparison for single mattress pickup in Portland (as of 2026):
| Provider | Single Mattress Price |
|---|---|
| HaulWorks PDX | $95 |
| Local independent operators | $85-$130 |
| LoadUp (broker network) | $95-$140 |
| Mattress Disposal Plus | $85-$130 |
| 1-800-Got-Junk | $150-$250 |
| Junk King Portland | $140-$200 |
What's included in a typical mattress haul-away:
- Pickup from inside your home (or curbside, your choice)
- All labor — they do the lifting
- Transport to a Bye Bye Mattress recycling facility
- Disposal fees included in the upfront price
Adding a box spring typically costs $15-$30 more. Multiple mattresses get discounted per-unit pricing.
More on HaulWorks PDX mattress disposal →
Why mattress disposal costs what it does in Portland
If you're wondering why even the "cheap" haul-away options cost $85+, here's the breakdown:
- $25 mandatory disposal fee at Portland-area transfer stations (or waived under MRC program at specific drop-off sites)
- Labor: two-person crew, 15-30 minutes total for a single pickup including drive time
- Truck and fuel costs
- Operating overhead (insurance, licenses, scheduling)
Most haulers operate at thin margins on single-mattress jobs. The $85-$130 range covers their costs with modest profit. Anything cheaper than that is either a loss leader to upsell other services or an unlicensed operator (which has its own risks).
Our honest recommendation
For most Portland residents wanting to dispose of one mattress cheaply:
- If it's clean and usable: List it free on Buy Nothing / Marketplace for 5-7 days. Gone for $0.
- If you have truck access: Drop it off free at Metro Central, Metro South, or Forest Grove under the MRC program. $0.
- If you're buying a new mattress: Have the retailer haul away the old one. $0-$50.
- If none of the above work: Call a local Portland junk hauler at $85-$130. Way cheaper than the chains for the same service.
Combined approach: list it free for a week, drop it off yourself if no takers, hire help only as a last resort.
If you've reached step 4, send us a photo of the mattress or call (971) 385-6798 for a flat-rate quote in 2 minutes. Same-day or next-day pickup available.