Quick Answer: No, Value Village does not accept mattress donations at any Canadian location. Mattresses, box springs, and bed foundations are on their list of items that cannot be accepted due to health regulations and bed bug risk. Your options for getting rid of an old mattress include Habitat for Humanity ReStore (if in good condition), municipal recycling centres, city bulk pickup, or retailer removal when buying a new mattress.
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You have a mattress you need to get rid of. Maybe you are upgrading, maybe you are moving, maybe someone left one behind. Your first thought is to donate it, and Value Village is the most recognizable donation-based thrift store in Canada. So you Google "does Value Village take mattresses" and find yourself here.
The short answer is no. But the longer answer is more useful, because there are actual options for mattress donation, recycling, and disposal in Ontario that work. You just need to know where to look.
Why Value Village Says No to Mattresses
Value Village (operated by Savers in Canada) maintains a list of items they cannot accept at their donation centres. Mattresses, box springs, and bed foundations are explicitly on that list. The reasons are practical rather than arbitrary:
Bed bug liability. Bed bugs are a serious concern in the used goods industry. A single infested mattress introduced to a store can contaminate other inventory and the retail space itself. The cost of bed bug remediation for a retail location runs $5,000 to $20,000, which vastly exceeds the resale value of any used mattress. Value Village made the business decision that the risk is not worth the potential return.
Health regulations. Provincial health guidelines in Ontario regulate the sale of used mattresses. While not outright banned, used mattresses must meet specific hygiene and condition standards that are expensive and time-consuming to verify. Most thrift stores lack the inspection infrastructure to certify used mattresses for resale.
Storage and handling. Mattresses are large, heavy, and difficult to store. They take up significant floor and warehouse space relative to their resale price. For a donation-based business that depends on turnover, mattresses are operationally impractical.
Low resale value. Used mattresses sell for $20 to $75 at thrift stores, which barely covers the handling cost. Clothing and household goods generate far better margins per square foot of retail space.
Other Thrift Stores That Refuse Mattresses
Value Village is not alone. Most major Canadian thrift chains have the same policy:
| Thrift Store | Accepts Mattresses? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Value Village | No | All Canadian locations |
| Goodwill | No | Most locations; some exceptions |
| Salvation Army | Sometimes | Call ahead; varies by location and condition |
| Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Yes (with conditions) | Must be in good condition, under 8 years old |
| St. Vincent de Paul | Sometimes | Call ahead; varies by parish |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | No | Clothing and small household items only |
8 min read
Where You Can Actually Donate a Mattress in Ontario
If your mattress is in good condition and you want to donate rather than dispose of it, these organizations accept mattress donations in Ontario.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
The most reliable option for mattress donation. ReStore locations across Ontario accept mattresses that meet their condition standards: no stains, no tears, no structural sagging, no odours, and generally less than 8 to 10 years old. Some locations offer free pickup for large items including mattresses. Call your local ReStore before loading the mattress into your vehicle to confirm they are currently accepting them and to schedule pickup if available.
The Brantford area ReStore is at 25 Morton Avenue East. Call (519) 751-7474 to confirm current mattress acceptance.
Furniture Bank (Greater Toronto Area)
Furniture Bank serves the GTA and accepts gently used mattresses for distribution to families transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. They offer pickup service for a fee (usually $30 to $50 per item). The mattress must be in sleeping condition, meaning you would feel comfortable sleeping on it yourself.
Local Shelters and Transitional Housing
Women's shelters, homeless shelters, and transitional housing organizations sometimes accept mattress donations directly. In the Brantford area, organizations like Nova Vita, St. Leonard's Community Services, and the Salvation Army Booth Centre may accept mattresses depending on current need and storage capacity. Always call ahead.
Online Donation Platforms
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace (listed as free), Kijiji (free section), and Freecycle allow you to offer your mattress directly to someone who needs it. This bypasses the thrift store entirely. Be honest about the mattress condition in your listing, and have the recipient pick up. This is often the fastest way to rehome a usable mattress.
Before You Donate: Condition Checklist
- No visible stains (even small ones may disqualify it)
- No tears, rips, or holes in the fabric
- No sagging deeper than 3 cm when unloaded
- No odours (smoke, mildew, pet, urine)
- No bed bug history (inspect seams and crevices carefully)
- Less than 8 to 10 years old
- From a smoke-free, pet-free home (preferred by most charities)
If your mattress does not meet these criteria, disposal or recycling is more appropriate than donation.
Recycling Options in Ontario
Mattress recycling is growing in Ontario. A standard mattress contains steel (springs), wood (frame), foam (comfort layers), and fabric (cover), all of which can be recovered and reused.
Municipal recycling centres across Ontario accept mattresses, though policies and fees vary by municipality. Most charge a small fee ($5 to $20) for mattress drop-off. The mattress is then disassembled and the components separated for recycling or energy recovery.
For detailed recycling options in Ontario, see our guides to mattress disposal in Ontario and mattress disposal in Brantford.
Mattress Waste in Canada
According to the Mattress Recycling Council (U.S.) and waste management data from Canadian municipalities, approximately 4 to 5 million mattresses are discarded annually in Canada. Each mattress contains 11 to 27 kg of recyclable steel and 7 to 14 kg of recoverable foam. Despite this recyclable content, the majority of discarded mattresses in Canada still end up in landfills due to limited recycling infrastructure. Ontario's extended producer responsibility programs are gradually expanding to include mattresses, following similar programs in British Columbia and Quebec.
Disposal Options in Brantford
If you are in the Brantford area and need to get rid of a mattress, here are your specific local options:
Brantford Mattress Disposal Options
Brantford-Brant Household Waste and Recycling Centre (554 Garden Avenue): Accepts mattresses for a small fee. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Call (519) 759-4083 for current hours and fees.
City of Brantford Bulk Pickup: Available to Brantford residents by appointment. Call (519) 759-4150 to schedule. Mattresses are picked up curbside on your scheduled date.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore Brantford (25 Morton Avenue East): Accepts mattresses in good condition. Call (519) 751-7474 to confirm.
Mattress Miracle: When you purchase a new mattress from us, we offer old mattress removal as part of our white glove delivery service. We handle the heavy lifting so you do not have to figure out disposal on your own.
Retailer Removal: The Easiest Option
If you are replacing your mattress, the simplest disposal method is having the retailer remove the old one during delivery of the new one. This is standard practice at many mattress stores and eliminates the need to arrange separate disposal.
At Mattress Miracle, our white glove delivery includes old mattress removal. The delivery team brings in your new mattress, positions it, removes all packaging, and takes your old mattress away. You do not need to wrestle a mattress down stairs, fit it in your vehicle, or drive to the landfill.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "Getting rid of an old mattress is one of the biggest headaches our customers mention. It is awkward, heavy, and most people do not have a truck. That is why we include removal with delivery. You should not have to rent a truck or beg a friend with a pickup just because you bought a new bed. Our team handles it."
When Is a Mattress Too Old to Donate
Even the most well-intentioned donation can create problems if the mattress is past its useful life. Here is a straightforward guide:
| Mattress Age | Typical Condition | Donation Appropriate? | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years | Good to excellent | Yes (if clean and stain-free) | Donate to charity or list free online |
| 3 to 5 years | Good (may have light wear) | Usually yes | Donate if condition meets standards |
| 5 to 8 years | Fair (some compression, possible stains) | Maybe (inspect carefully) | Donate if structurally sound; recycle if worn |
| 8 to 10 years | Worn (sagging, reduced support) | Rarely accepted | Recycle or municipal disposal |
| Over 10 years | End of life | No | Recycle or municipal disposal |
A general rule: if you would not want to sleep on it, do not donate it. Charities are not waste disposal services. Donating a mattress that is stained, sagging, or smells forces the organization to pay for disposal of an item they cannot use. This costs them money and diverts resources from their mission.
What Happens to Recycled Mattresses
When a mattress is properly recycled, it is disassembled and the components are separated:
- Steel springs: Melted down and recycled into new steel products. A queen mattress contains approximately 11 to 14 kg of steel.
- Foam: Shredded and used as carpet padding, industrial insulation, or pet bedding. Some foam is processed into rebond foam for gymnastics mats and packaging.
- Wood frame: Chipped for biomass fuel or composting. Box springs typically contain a wood frame that can be recovered.
- Fabric: Some fabric is recovered for industrial rags or fibre recycling. Cotton and natural fibres have better recovery rates than synthetic blends.
The recycling rate for mattresses in Canada is still low (estimated at 10 to 15%), but it is growing as municipalities invest in dedicated mattress recycling programs and as provincial extended producer responsibility regulations expand to cover mattresses.
Sources
- Value Village / Savers. (2025). Donation Guidelines: What We Accept. Savers.com.
- Habitat for Humanity Canada. (2025). ReStore Donation Guidelines. Habitat.ca.
- City of Brantford. (2025). Waste Management and Recycling Services. Brantford.ca.
- Mattress Recycling Council. (2024). Mattress Recycling Statistics and Materials Recovery Data.
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Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Does Value Village accept mattress donations?
No. Value Village does not accept mattresses, box springs, or bed foundations at any Canadian location. This is a firm policy based on health regulations, bed bug risk, and the high cost of handling large items with low resale value. Do not leave a mattress at a Value Village donation drop-off, as it will be treated as illegal dumping.
Why do thrift stores not take mattresses?
Most thrift stores refuse mattresses because of bed bug risk, hygiene concerns, and provincial health regulations. Even a visually clean mattress can harbour dust mites, bacteria, and allergens that are impossible to detect without professional inspection. The liability and potential for store contamination outweigh the small revenue from used mattress sales.
Where can I donate a mattress in Ontario?
Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the most reliable option. They accept mattresses in good condition (under 8 to 10 years old, no stains, no structural damage). The Salvation Army accepts mattresses at some locations. Furniture Bank serves the Greater Toronto Area. Local shelters may accept donations based on current need. Always call ahead to confirm before transporting a mattress.
How do I get rid of an old mattress in Brantford?
Take it to the Brantford-Brant Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Garden Avenue for a small fee. Schedule a city bulk pickup by calling (519) 759-4150. Donate to Habitat ReStore Brantford if in good condition. Or buy a new mattress from Mattress Miracle and we will remove your old one as part of our white glove delivery service.
Can I leave a mattress at a Value Village donation drop-off?
No. Leaving a mattress at a donation drop-off when it is not accepted is illegal dumping. Value Village posts signs indicating unaccepted items. Dumped mattresses cost the store money to dispose of, diverting funds from their charitable partners. Use proper disposal channels such as municipal recycling centres, bulk pickup services, or charity organizations that specifically accept mattresses.
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Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Ready for a new mattress? When you buy from Mattress Miracle, we handle your old mattress removal with our white glove delivery service. No hauling, no landfill trips, no hassle. Call Brad at (519) 770-0001 or visit us on West Street. Family-owned since 1997.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441 1/2 West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle -- 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON -- (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm.
Come in and let our team help you find the right mattress for your needs. No pressure, no commission.