2026 LOCAL GUIDE
How to get rid of a mattress in Athens, GA.
6 local options.
Compare mattress pickup, recycling, and disposal options—with costs, conditions, and sources below.
See all 6 local optionsNOW AVAILABLE!
Athens Now Offers
Mattress Recycling Pickup.
Book a recycling pickup
A Bedder World is our recycling partner.
Clarke County, Georgia · 28 options, 9 free · checked Sep 29, 2026
Researched from each provider's own pages and approved for publication by Tim Sumerfield, who has worked in mattress recycling for over a decade. How we check these listings
6 ways to get rid of a mattress in Athens
Everything we could find for this city. Click any one of them for the full details.
- 1A Bedder World Mattress Recycling - Athens (our Athens mattress recycling partner)Easily book a curbside or in-home pickup for mattress recycling throughout AthensBook pickup online
- 2City curbside pickup in AthensBook a date with the city and leave it at the curbFree
- 3Drop-off options near Athens2 places that take mattresses, nearest 19 miles awayFrom $4
- 4Junk removal options serving Athens4 national companies that come to your doorQuoted by address
- 5Store haul-away options in Athens20 retailers remove the old mattress on deliveryFree at 8
- 6Donation options in Athens2 charities checked, 1 will not take a mattressFree
Also on this page: Georgia rules · common questions · what to check first
1
A Bedder World Mattress Recycling - Athens
Use our Athens mattress recycling partner, A Bedder World.
A Bedder World is a curbside and in-home mattress pickup service, recycling mattresses for homes and businesses throughout Athens. They take it from the curb or carry it out of any room, and you book online and see the full price before you confirm.
- Athens division
- Curbside or any room in the house
- 90% of materials recovered
Metro areas in all 50 states; book online. Small-town and rural coverage not stated.
From $89A pickup fee plus a recycling fee on each piece, so this is where it starts, not a price per mattress. Your total is shown at the booking step before you confirm.
Book recycling pickupRun by the founder of this site. Every other option here is listed so you can compare.
Prices, conditions and sources
Curbside or inside pickup; stairs and long carries cost extra. The price is a pickup fee plus a recycling fee on each piece, so it is a starting price rather than a rate per mattress, and a second piece collected on the same visit costs less than the first. The total for your items is shown at the booking step before you confirm. Owned by the operator of this site.
$89 — Pickup starts at $89. The price is a pickup fee plus a recycling fee on each piece; the total for your items is shown at the booking step.
Not confirmed: The recycling fee charged on each piece is not published separately; it is included in the total shown at the booking step.
A Bedder World states it serves homes and businesses, listing bulk removal for hotels, apartments and commercial customers alongside residential pickup. Source
A Bedder World states it covers 1,000+ cities across all 50 states, with next-day pickup available. Source
A Bedder World states it removes the mattress from anywhere on the property, so pickup is from the curb or from inside the home. Source
A Bedder World states 90% of mattress materials are recovered and commits to sending none to landfill. Source
A Bedder World states it has recycled more than 1 million mattresses. Source
2City curbside pickup in Athens
Athens’s own collection service takes the mattress from outside your home. You normally have to book a date in advance and follow their wrapping rules.
Athens-Clarke County bulky waste collection (mattresses and box springs)
'Residential Customers - Single family detached, duplex, and four-plex dwelling structures occupied by either an owner or tenant. This program is for both the General Service and Urban Service Districts.' Commercial customers must arrange a special pickup at additional cost. The county notes that depending on a property's zoning, an additional fee may apply.
This year’s was on Nov 3, 2025 — it has already happened, and the town has not published next year’s date yet.
Conditions and source
The program started on November 3, 2025 and is by request only: residents book online or at (706) 613-3501 option 7 and receive an emailed collection date within 24 business hours. Mattresses and box springs (with headboards and bed frames) are expressly listed as bulky waste. The limit is up to 5 items per scheduled pickup, 4 pickups each year, 20 items per year. Items go between the curb and sidewalk, or within five feet of the curb where there is no sidewalk, placed no earlier than 24 hours before the collection date and by 7:00 a.m. on the pickup day; not under overhead wires, not within 50 feet of an intersection or 10 feet of a fire hydrant. Metal items must be stacked separately and will be recycled. Bagged trash, batteries, construction and demolition debris, dead animals, hazardous materials, automotive components, liquids, tires and leaf and limb material are excluded.
- $0 — 'Fees: No fee for four pick-ups per year.' Each pickup covers up to 5 items, for a total of 20 items per year, and the program is funded through property taxes.
- Plus $50 — Surcharge beyond the four free pickups: 'After four pick-ups it is a cost-of-service basis. Fees for a special pick-up start at $50/trip.' The recorded amount is that published starting price; the cost-of-service rate itself is not published.
Not confirmed: The 'cost-of-service' charge after the fourth pickup is not published as a figure.
Not confirmed: Which zonings attract the additional fee is not stated.
Not confirmed: No wrapping or bagging rule is published for mattresses.
From the provider’s own page, checked Sep 22, 2026. Not confirmed by phone.
Free
Visit siteA Bedder World collects from the curb too, or from any room in the house — see option 1.
3Drop-off options near Athens
Places that accept mattresses if you can get it there yourself. Distance is measured from the center of Athens. Some accept residents of their own city or county only, so check before you drive.
Nearest
Athens-Clarke County Landfill mattress drop-off
'The Athens-Clarke County Landfill accepts Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from Athens-Clarke County & Oglethorpe County ONLY.' Residential and commercial customers pay the same rates.
Conditions and source
Open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 5700 Lexington Rd., Winterville. Mattresses and box springs are charged per item: $50 per mattress and $10 per box spring. General garbage is $75 per ton with a $20 minimum, or $3.00 per bag for up to six bags on an ACC Landfill punch card (six bags for $18) bought at the scale house. Metal, including old appliances, is free. The landfill manager conducts random inspections of loads.
- $50 — 'Mattresses & Box springs: $50 per mattress'. Athens-Clarke County Landfill fee for one mattress.
- Plus $10 — 'Mattresses & Box springs: $50 per mattress / $10 per box spring'. Each additional box spring is charged at $10.
Not confirmed: The page does not say whether the $50 mattress fee replaces or is added to the per-ton charge.
Not confirmed: No recycling outcome is published for mattresses; the site is a landfill.
From the provider’s own page, checked Sep 22, 2026. Not confirmed by phone.
Athens-Clarke County Landfill fees, materials and other services
$50
Visit siteCheapest
Jackson County Transfer Station — mattress drop-off at $4 an item
Open to all comers so far as the county publishes: the department describes the transfer station and its two compactor sites as provided "for its citizens and businesses", and no hang tag, permit, identification requirement, residency proof or out-of-county prohibition appears on either the Solid Waste page or the Disposal Fees page. Trade customers may open a pre-approved charge account by application at the scale house. The compactor sites are the exception and cannot be used for bedding: "The compactor sites charge the same fees as the transfer station and only accept bagged household garbage."
Conditions and source
100 Landfill Drive, Jefferson, GA 30549, 706-367-5253. Open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bedding is priced per item on the county's Item Removed table as "Furniture (i.e. couches, mattresses) — $4 per item", the same rate as a refrigerator or freezer; bagged household trash is $1 a bag up to three bags, weighed loads $75 a ton prorated with a $5 minimum, and special waste needing repeated handling, such as boats and campers, $100 a ton. Payment is cash, check, debit or credit card with a 3% card fee, or a pre-approved charge account — cards are accepted at the transfer station only. Customers unload themselves: "When you come into the transfer station, you are responsible for unloading your own vehicle. However, we have staff that will assist you when possible." The county also recycles paint at published per-container prices and no longer accepts unearthed tires.
- $4 — Each item of furniture at the Jackson County Transfer Station, from the fee table line "Furniture (i.e. couches, mattresses) — $4 per item".
- $5 — Minimum on a weighed load, from "Scale Loads — $75.00 per ton prorated $5.00 minimum". A single mattress is charged as an item at $4 rather than weighed, so this applies only to a load taken over the scale.
Not confirmed: The $4 line names couches and mattresses as examples of furniture but does not say whether a box spring is charged separately as a second item.
Not confirmed: Nothing on the county site says whether waste leaving the transfer station is landfilled or processed further; a transfer station moves waste on, and no recycling of bedding is claimed.
From the provider’s own page, checked Sep 29, 2026. Not confirmed by phone.
$4plus $5 for the load or entry
Visit siteNo way to move it yourself? See pickup services →
4Junk removal options serving Athens
Companies that come to your home and carry the mattress out, so you need no vehicle. The prices below are starting prices unless stated — stairs, box springs and extra items add to them.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? mattress removal
Franchise network; coverage varies by ZIP (some ZIPs not serviced).
Conditions and source
In-person estimate before work; single items priced by size, minimum charge applies (amount not published). Donates or recycles where possible.
Not confirmed: Coverage varies by ZIP.
Not confirmed: No published mattress price.
Not confirmed: Recycling/donation not guaranteed per job.
From the provider’s own page, checked Sep 22, 2026. Not confirmed by phone.
Ask provider
Visit siteCollege HUNKS mattress removal
Franchise network; coverage varies by ZIP.
Conditions and source
Free estimate at start of job; price depends on location and job. Mattress recycled or disposed of; few donation centers take mattresses.
Not confirmed: Coverage varies by ZIP.
Not confirmed: No published price.
Not confirmed: Recycling vs landfill not stated per location.
From the provider’s own page, checked Sep 22, 2026. Not confirmed by phone.
Ask provider
Visit siteJunk King mattress disposal
100+ franchise locations in U.S. and Canada; coverage varies by ZIP.
Conditions and source
Free onsite/photo/phone estimate; pricing varies by location. Works with local recyclers and donation partners.
Not confirmed: Coverage varies by ZIP.
Not confirmed: No published mattress price on primary pages.
Not confirmed: Per-location recycling outcome not stated.
From the provider’s own page, checked Sep 22, 2026. Not confirmed by phone.
Ask provider
Visit siteThe other 1 companies
The Junkluggers mattress removal
Franchise network; find a local Junkluggers; coverage varies by ZIP.
Conditions and source
Free up-front estimate; most locations offer same-day pickup. Donates/recycles/repurposes when possible.
Not confirmed: Coverage varies by ZIP.
Not confirmed: No published price.
Not confirmed: Disposal of non-reusable mattresses not described.
From the provider’s own page, checked Sep 22, 2026. Not confirmed by phone.
Ask provider
Visit site5Store haul-away options in Athens
If you are replacing the mattress, the shop will often take the old one when they deliver. Usually one old mattress per new one, and only if it is dry and clean.
- Casper
- Free
- Casper mattress order with In-Home Delivery & Setup ($249), continental US; one used mattress per mattress ordered. Sanitary condition judged on site; box springs must be removable intact. Source
- Purple
- Free
- Non-California: free with Rejuvenate mattresses; $200 add-on for select Essentials/Restore mattresses. Mattress only (no box springs); unsanitary mattresses may be refused. Source
- Raymour & Flanigan
- Free
- New mattress purchase with delivery; free with mattress set of $500+. Safe, sanitary, free of rips and tears. Source
- Rooms To Go
- Free
- New mattress with full service delivery. Not heavily soiled; not with Doorway Delivery. Source
The other 15 retailers
- Saatva
- Free
- New Saatva mattress with white glove delivery; select removal at checkout; continental US. Clean, undamaged mattress/foundation only; no adjustable bases, frames, waterbed or Sleep Number bases. Source
- Sam's Club
- Free
- Select mattresses with White Glove Delivery; free White Glove for Plus members buying online; not PR/AK/HI. Haul-away on request; biohazard items refused. Source
- Tempur-Pedic direct
- Free
- Mattress (not TEMPUR-Cloud), power base or foundation bought directly from Tempur-Pedic; like-for-like. Adult 18+ present; bedding removed; unsanitary/heavily soiled items may be refused. Source
- Amazon
- $79.99
- Purchased with an eligible mattress; available in select cities. One mattress or box spring; no bodily fluids or bed bugs; adult present. Source
- Avocado Green Mattress
- Ask provider
- Avocado In-Home Delivery & Setup order in select areas; must buy the equivalent item. Subject to local health regulations; no bed frames/furniture. Source
- Bob's Discount Furniture
- Ask provider
- New mattress/foundation delivered via BOBtastic White Glove Delivery. Safe and sanitary condition. Source
- Costco
- Ask provider
- Costco mattress delivery in select areas; one-for-one like item. Not damaged, soiled or infested; ready at delivery; additional fees may apply. Source
- Helix Sleep
- $219
- Helix order with In-Home Setup & Removal selected at checkout; contiguous 48 states. Stained/soiled items may be refused. Source
- IKEA
- $30
- Mattress or box spring bought in store with in-home delivery, in select markets / ZIP codes in the continental US; not online orders. Removal may be on a different date from delivery. Source
- Living Spaces
- Ask provider
- Full Service Delivery; request at checkout. Stained/soiled mattresses not eligible. Source
- Macys
- $25
- Macy's mattress with White Glove ($125) or Room of Choice ($75) delivery; one-for-one. No stained, soiled or bed-bug items; no frames/adjustable bases/furniture. Source
- Mattress Firm
- Ask provider
- Mattress ordered for delivery from Mattress Firm; one-for-one. Box spring removed only if new order includes one; no wet, unsanitary or infested bedding; no furniture. Source
- Mattress Warehouse
- $29.99
- With delivery of a new purchase; add before delivery date. Mattresses/box springs only; stained items excluded. Source
- Resident (Nectar, DreamCloud)
- $199
- Nectar or DreamCloud order with paid White Glove Delivery, where offered. Removal at the provider's discretion; may be unavailable in some areas; CA/RI/CT add a state-mandated fee. Source
- Sleep Number
- Ask provider
- With a Sleep Number bed delivery: included with Ultimate delivery ($350) or added for $100 with Premium/Doorstep; one disposal per Smart Bed delivered. Adult 18+ present; no bed bugs/extreme soiling; Doorstep customers must put the old bed outside. Source
6Donation options in Athens
Most charities will not take a used mattress. These are the ones we checked, including the ones that say no.
- The Salvation Army (satruck.org): accepted-items list includes 'Mattresses' and beds; also says local ordinances and need vary by location and to call 1-800-SA-TRUCK to confirm what a local center accepts. Source
- Doesn’t take mattresses. Habitat for Humanity national ReStore guide: 'Mattresses and box springs are not accepted.' Source
Policies vary by branch. Call before you carry one over — we asked each of the big three directly: Goodwill, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.
Georgia mattress disposal rules
- Georgia EPD recycling resources page sends residents to Earth911's ZIP-code locator and the Georgia Recycling Coalition. It notes scrap tires are banned from Georgia landfills but lists no mattress rule. No statewide mattress stewardship program or landfill ban found on Georgia EPD pages as of 2026-09-22; mattress disposal is handled by local governments. Source
Questions people ask about Athens
Is there free mattress disposal in Athens?
Yes: Athens-Clarke County bulky waste collection (mattresses and box springs); Casper removal with In-Home Delivery & Setup; Havertys complimentary mattress removal. Check eligibility and conditions before you go.
How much does mattress pickup cost in Athens?
Published starting prices: A Bedder World mattress pickup from $89. Stairs, box springs, and extra items can add fees.
Will the store take my old mattress when I buy a new one?
Several retailers offer haul-away with a new mattress delivery, usually with conditions: Casper, Havertys, Purple, Raymour & Flanigan, Rooms To Go, Saatva.
Are there state rules for mattress disposal in Georgia?
Georgia EPD recycling resources page sends residents to Earth911's ZIP-code locator and the Georgia Recycling Coalition. It notes scrap tires are banned from Georgia landfills but lists no mattress rule. No statewide mattress stewardship program or landfill ban found on Georgia EPD pages as of 2026-09-22; mattress disposal is handled by local governments.
What to check before you go
- Say if the mattress is wet, stained, or has any sign of pests — that is the usual reason one is turned away.
- Ask what the total will be. Box springs, stairs, and extra items are often charged separately.
- Check you qualify. Many sites serve only residents of their own city or county.