Mattress Disposal Austin TX — How to Get Rid of Your Old Mattress

Austin Resource Recovery operates the city's official bulk waste collection program, including mattress disposal for Austin residents with active trash service accounts.

**Cost:** $35 per collection of up to 4 large items. Additional items are $10 each. **Scheduling:** Call 3-1-1 or use the Austin 311 app. Collection typically occurs within 5-10 business days, but during peak seasons (May move-outs, back-to-school) wait times can extend to 3 weeks. **Service Area:** All Austin city limits including downtown, East Austin, South Austin, West Austin, and North Austin. **Requirements:** Items must be placed at the curb by 7 AM on your scheduled collection day. No alley pickup available.

**What Austin Resource Recovery Accepts:** • Mattresses and box springs (any size) • Furniture items • Appliances • Exercise equipment • Outdoor furniture

**Restrictions:** • No hazardous materials • Items must weigh under 60 pounds each (mattresses exempt) • No construction debris • Maximum 4 items per pickup

Austin Resource Recovery has stated they handle approximately 25,000 mattress disposals annually, making mattresses one of the most commonly collected bulk items in the city.

Austin Resource Recovery partners with Spring Back Texas, a local mattress recycling program that diverts approximately 75% of collected mattresses from landfills. Springs, steel components, and foam are separated and recycled into new products. This program has diverted over 180,000 mattresses from Travis County landfills since 2019.

While there's no additional fee for this recycling through the city program, residents can also drop off mattresses directly at:

**Spring Back Texas - Austin** Address: 2514 E 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702 Cost: $25 per mattress, $15 per box spring Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-4 PM, Saturday 9 AM-2 PM

For faster service or when you need mattresses removed from inside your home, Austin has several professional junk removal options with competitive pricing.

For residents outside Austin city limits or those preferring self-haul options, Travis County operates several facilities that accept mattresses.

**Address:** 9898 Giles Lane, Austin, TX 78754 **Phone:** (512) 972-1970 **Hours:** Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-4:30 PM, Saturday 8 AM-4 PM **Cost:** $8 minimum fee plus $65 per ton (typical mattress costs $12-18) **Accepts:** Household mattresses, furniture, general waste **Requirements:** Valid ID, cash or check payment

This facility handles the majority of Travis County's residential waste and has specific protocols for mattress processing to maximize recycling potential.

**Address:** 10108 FM 812, Austin, TX 78719 **Phone:** (512) 243-0888 **Hours:** Monday-Saturday 7 AM-5 PM **Cost:** $10 per mattress (recycling fee) **Special Service:** Mattresses are processed through their recycling partner

Note: This facility focuses on organic waste but accepts mattresses for recycling through their partnership with local recycling companies.

Austin's large population of students, young professionals, and families in transition creates demand for affordable used mattresses. However, donation options are limited due to health regulations.

**Salvation Army - Austin** • Locations: Multiple Austin locations including 1403 E 7th Street and 909 Springdale Road • Requirements: No stains, rips, or odors. Mattresses under 8 years old preferred • Pickup: Available for $45 fee within Austin city limits • Processing: Working mattresses go to families in need; others sent for recycling

**Austin Furniture Bank of Central Texas** • Address: 1013 Camino La Costa, Austin, TX 78752 • Phone: (512) 419-8100 • Mission: Provides furniture to families transitioning out of homelessness • Requirements: Mattresses must be in excellent condition, no pet hair or odors • Pickup: Free for qualifying donations

**Habitat for Humanity ReStore - Austin** • Locations: 310 Comal Street, Austin, TX 78702 and 9235 Research Boulevard, Austin, TX 78758 • Mattress Policy: Generally does not accept mattresses due to health code restrictions • Alternative: Will take bed frames and other bedroom furniture

Note: Due to Texas Health Department regulations, many donation centers have strict policies against accepting used mattresses. Always call ahead to confirm current acceptance policies.

Many Austin residents live in HOA-managed communities or apartment complexes with specific bulk item disposal rules that can result in significant fines if violated.

Based on Austin HOA enforcement data, the most common mattress-related violations include:

• **Unauthorized curb placement:** $75-$250 fines for placing mattresses at curb without scheduled pickup • **Aesthetic violations:** $50-$200 fines in communities like Steiner Ranch, Tarrytown, and Barton Creek for visible mattresses • **Timing violations:** $25-$150 fines for placing items before designated pickup times

**High-Enforcement Austin Communities:** • Steiner Ranch: Strict 24-hour placement window, $200 fines • Circle C Ranch: Pre-approval required for bulk items • Barton Creek: No roadside placement allowed, $150 violations • Tarrytown: Historic district rules apply, immediate removal required • The Hills of Lakeway: 48-hour notice requirement

To avoid violations, many Austin residents choose same-day professional removal services that eliminate the need for curbside placement.

UT Austin's 50,000+ student body creates unique seasonal demand patterns for mattress disposal services in Austin.

**May (End of Spring Semester):** • 300% increase in bulk item requests to Austin Resource Recovery • Professional services often book 2-3 weeks in advance • West Campus, North Campus, and Riverside areas see highest volume • Average wait time for city pickup: 15-21 days

**August (Move-in Season):** • High demand for mattress pickup from parents upgrading dorm bedding • Same-day services command premium pricing (20-30% above normal rates) • Central Austin and areas near campus most affected

**December (Semester End):** • International students leaving create disposal surge • Many items in good condition, increasing donation opportunities

**Student-Specific Services:** Several Austin companies offer student-focused mattress disposal: • College HUNKS: 15% student discount with valid UT ID • Longhorn Moving: UT partnership for end-of-semester cleanouts • Campus services: Some dorms coordinate group pickups

Austin's ambitious goal to achieve zero waste by 2030 directly impacts how mattresses are handled in the city.

• **Mattresses diverted from landfills:** 18,750 annually (75% of collected mattresses) • **Materials recovered:** 562,500 pounds of steel springs, 1,125,000 pounds of foam, 375,000 pounds of fabric • **Economic impact:** $2.8 million in recovered materials value • **Environmental benefit:** 3,750 cubic yards of landfill space saved annually

Austin Resource Recovery reports that proper mattress recycling prevents approximately 2.5 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per 100 mattresses compared to landfill disposal.

Austin's climate creates specific challenges for mattress disposal that residents should consider when planning removal.

**Summer (June-September):** • Extreme heat makes DIY transport dangerous • Mattresses left outside can degrade quickly in 100°F+ temperatures • Professional services often adjust schedules for early morning pickups • Higher demand during peak moving season

**Spring (March-May):** • Heavy rain seasons can delay bulk pickup services • Austin's flooding history means items cannot be left in flood-prone areas • Peak allergy season makes indoor storage preferable

**Winter (December-February):** • Lowest demand period, best pricing for professional services • Rare ice storms can delay city services • Ideal time for non-urgent mattress disposal

**Fall (September-November):** • Moderate weather ideal for DIY disposal • Post-summer replacement season • Good availability for all services

When you need a mattress removed immediately — lease ending, surprise inspection, or family emergency — Austin has same-day options available.

Dropcurb offers same-day mattress pickup throughout the Austin metro area, including surrounding cities like Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Kyle.

**Service Details:** • Pricing starts at $79 for standard mattresses • King size and specialty mattresses: $94 • Box spring addition: +$25 • Same-day pickup available when booked before 2 PM • Covers all ZIP codes: 78701-78799 • Eco-friendly disposal through Austin Resource Recovery certified facilities

**Coverage Areas:** • Downtown Austin and Central Business District • UT campus area and West Campus • East Austin (Mueller, East 6th, Cherrywood) • South Austin (Zilker, Travis Heights, South Lamar) • North Austin (Domain, Tech Ridge, Wooten) • West Austin (Tarrytown, Clarksville, Rollingwood) • Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock • Pflugerville, Manor, Del Valle • Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs (within 30 miles of Austin city center)

**Booking Process:** 1. Book online at dropcurb.com/austin-tx 2. Select mattress type and any additional items 3. Choose pickup time (same-day available) 4. Place mattress at curb, apartment dumpster area, or designated pickup location 5. Receive text confirmation when pickup is complete