Getting rid of a mattress in Toledo isn’t as simple as dragging it to the curb. Republic Services — the city’s contracted hauler — does not pick up mattresses or box springs with regular curbside trash collection. That means you need a plan. Here are all your options, from free to full-service.
🚫 Why You Can’t Just Put It on the Curb
Republic Services handles curbside trash and recycling for Toledo residents, but mattresses and box springs are classified as bulky items and are excluded from regular pickup. If you leave one on the curb, it’ll sit there — and you could get a code violation from the city for illegal dumping or blight.
Toledo’s code enforcement has gotten more aggressive in recent years about visible junk on curbs and tree lawns, especially in residential neighborhoods. A mattress sitting out for more than 48 hours can result in a warning letter and eventually a fine.
🏭 Hoffman Road Transfer Station
The Lucas County Solid Waste Management District operates the Hoffman Road Transfer Station at 3943 Hoffman Rd, Toledo. You can haul your mattress there yourself:
- Open to Lucas County residents (bring an ID or utility bill)
- Small loads of household items are accepted at low cost — typically a few dollars per item
- You’ll need a truck, SUV, or van big enough to transport the mattress (they don’t fit in most sedans)
- Hours are generally Monday–Saturday, but check the Lucas County website for current schedules
This is a decent option if you have the vehicle for it. Most people don’t — which is why mattresses end up in garages and basements for months.
♻️ Mattress Recycling
A mattress is about 80–90% recyclable. Steel springs get melted down, foam gets shredded for carpet padding, and wood frames get chipped. The problem? There aren’t many mattress recycling facilities in Northwest Ohio.
Some national programs exist (like the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program), but Ohio isn’t currently one of the participating states. Your best bet is to check with the Lucas County Solid Waste District for any upcoming recycling events or drop-off partnerships.
When we haul mattresses, we sort recyclable components whenever our disposal partners accept them. It’s not always possible, but we make the effort.
💚 Donation (If It’s in Good Shape)
If your mattress is clean, stain-free, and structurally sound, donation is an option:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Toledo) — accepts mattresses in good condition; call ahead to confirm
- St. Vincent de Paul — sometimes accepts clean mattresses depending on current need
- Local shelters — some accept twin/full mattresses for transitional housing, but most require them to be like-new
The key word is stain-free. Any visible stains, tears, or odors and no charity will take it. Be honest with yourself about the condition before loading it up and driving across town.
🛏️ Box Spring vs. Mattress — Same Rules
Box springs follow the same disposal rules as mattresses. Republic won’t take them curbside either. The good news: if you’re getting rid of both at once, junk removal companies (including us) typically price them together rather than charging per item.
A king-size mattress + box spring set is one of the most common single-item pickups we do. It takes two people about 10 minutes to get it out of a bedroom, down the stairs, and into the truck.
🐛 Bed Bug Concerns
If you’re getting rid of a mattress because of bed bugs, there are extra considerations:
- Don’t donate it — spreading an infestation is irresponsible, and charities will refuse it anyway
- Wrap it in plastic before moving it through your home to avoid spreading bugs to other rooms
- Tell your junk removal company upfront — we need to know so we can handle it properly and protect our truck and crew
- Treat your home before bringing in a new mattress, or the new one will get infested too
We handle bed-bug mattresses, but we do ask that you let us know in advance. No surprises, no extra charge — we just need to take the right precautions.
💰 Junk Removal Pickup Pricing
Having a mattress picked up by a junk removal company is the easiest option by far. Here’s what it typically costs in the Toledo area:
- Single mattress or box spring: $50–$100 depending on size and access (stairs, tight hallways, etc.)
- Mattress + box spring set: Usually the same price as a single since they go in one trip
- Part of a larger cleanout: If you’re clearing a whole bedroom or doing a full house cleanout, the mattress is included in the overall price — no separate line item
We do all the lifting. You point, we haul. Most mattress pickups take less than 20 minutes from arrival to departure.
⚖️ Ohio Disposal Law
Ohio doesn’t have a state-specific mattress disposal law, but general solid waste regulations apply. Illegal dumping — leaving a mattress in an alley, vacant lot, or on someone else’s property — is a misdemeanor that can carry fines of $500 or more. Lucas County and the City of Toledo actively prosecute illegal dumping, especially in areas that have been targeted repeatedly.
The bottom line: it costs a lot more to dump illegally than to just have it picked up properly.
📱 The Easiest Way
Text us a photo of your mattress (or mattress + box spring, or the whole bedroom). We’ll reply with a flat price — usually within 15 minutes. We can often do same-day or next-day pickup. No need to wrestle it down the stairs yourself.