Quick Answer: Can I Put My Mattress on the Curb?
In the City of Brantford, you generally cannot just put a mattress out with regular garbage. It is considered a "Large Item" or "Bulk Item. "
Option 1: The City usually offers specific bulk pickup days or requires a tag/fee. Check the current city waste calendar.
Option 2: Take it to the Mohawk Street Landfill yourself (tipping fees apply, usually based on weight). We haul away your old one and ensure it is recycled or disposed of responsibly.
Brad, Owner since 1987: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1987. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
5 min read
You bought a shiny new bed. Now you have a giant, dusty rectangle blocking your hallway. Mattress disposal is a headache for almost every homeowner. Illegal dumping is a blight on our community, and navigating city bylaws can be confusing.
At Mattress Miracle, we believe the lifecycle of a bed includes its end. Here is how to say goodbye to your old mattress legally and ethically.
City of Brantford Rules
The City of Brantford encourages diversion from the landfill. Mattresses are bulky and hard to compact.
- Bulk Pickup: The city historically offers bulk pickup days, but rules change annually. You often need to register the item online beforehand.
- Condition: Even for bulk pickup, if the mattress is soiled or infested (bed bugs), it must be wrapped in plastic.
The Landfill Option
If you have a truck, you can drive it to the Mohawk Street Landfill Site.
Fees: You will pay a "Tipping Fee." There is usually a minimum charge (e.g., $10-$15) for loads under a certain weight.
Recycling: The landfill attempts to strip mattresses (separating steel springs from foam) for recycling, but it is labor-intensive.
Can I Donate It?
Probably Not.
Most charities (Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, Salvation Army) do NOT accept used mattresses for hygiene reasons. The risk of bed bugs or hidden mold is too high.
Exception: If it is brand new and still in plastic, some shelters might accept it, but call first. Never drop a mattress off at a donation bin after hours.
Our Removal Service
We make it easy.
Delivery Day: When we bring your new bed, we take the old one. You don't have to lift a finger.
Cost: We charge a small fee to cover the transportation and the tipping fee we pay at the recycling center.
Responsible Disposal: We don't dump it in a ditch. We take it to certified recycling partners who shred the mattress to reuse the steel, wood, and foam, keeping waste out of the landfill.
Environmental Impact of Mattress Disposal
Mattresses are one of the most problematic items in Canadian landfills. According to the Recycling Council of Ontario, approximately 4 million mattresses are discarded in Canada annually, each taking up to 23 cubic feet of landfill space and requiring 80-100 years to decompose. The steel springs, foam, and fabric components can be recycled if properly separated. Brantford's waste management system does accept mattresses for curbside pickup (check brantford.ca for scheduling), but responsible disposal through recycling programs diverts 85-95% of mattress materials from landfill.
Mattress Disposal Options in Brantford
When you purchase a new mattress from Mattress Miracle, ask about our old mattress removal service. We can take your old mattress at the time of delivery, saving you the hassle of arranging separate disposal. For mattresses not purchased from us, the City of Brantford offers bulky item collection through their waste management department. Visit us at 441 1/2 West Street or call 519-770-0001.
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Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1987. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
What if my mattress has bed bugs?
You MUST tell the delivery team. We cannot put an infested mattress in our truck (it contaminates the new beds). You will likely need to hire a specialized junk removal company that handles hazardous waste.
Is it free to dump a mattress?
No. Even at the city landfill, there is a fee. Mattress recycling costs money because dismantling a bed is hard work.
Can I burn it?
Absolutely NOT. Burning foam releases toxic black smoke and chemicals. It is illegal and dangerous.
Do junk removal companies take mattresses?
Yes (like 1-800-GOT-JUNK), but they are often the most expensive option ($100+). Our removal service is significantly cheaper for our customers.
One-Stop Shop on West Street
Don't worry about the logistics. Let Mattress Miracle handle the heavy lifting. Visit us at 441 1/2 West Street to arrange your delivery and removal.
For the full picture, see our complete Brantford mattress disposal and recycling guide.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
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
Our team has 38 years of experience helping customers find the right sleep solution. Call ahead or walk in any day of the week.
Sources
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
Sources
- Jacobson, B. H. et al. (2008). "Grouped comparisons of sleep quality for new and personal bedding systems." Applied Ergonomics, 39(2), 247-254. PubMed 17662962.
- Radwan, A. et al. (2015). "Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment." Sleep Health, 1(4), 257-267. PubMed 29073401.
- Kovacs, F. M. et al. (2003). "Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain." The Lancet, 362(9396), 1599-1604. PubMed 14630439.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ 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 , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.