Your Mattress Disposal Options at a Glance
Getting rid of an old mattress is more involved than tossing it in the bin, but you have several realistic options depending on your location and the mattress's condition:
| Option | Cost | Best For | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal bulk waste pickup | Free (included in property taxes) | Scheduled pickup from curb | Most Canadian cities |
| Waste transfer station drop-off | $10–$50 tipping fee | Immediate disposal; no scheduling | Major urban areas |
| Retailer haul-away | Free or $25–$75 fee | When buying a new mattress | Most mattress retailers |
| Mattress recycling program | Free or nominal fee | Eco-friendly disposal | Ontario (RPRA), BC, AB |
| Donation | Free (you arrange transport) | Mattresses in good condition | Habitat ReStore, furniture banks |
| Junk removal service | $75–$150 | Convenient; no scheduling needed | Canada-wide (1-800-GOT-JUNK, etc.) |
Ontario Mattress Disposal
Ontario has one of the most structured mattress disposal systems in Canada, driven by extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation.
RPRA Mattress Recycling (Ontario)
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) oversees Ontario's mattress stewardship program. Under this program:
- Mattress manufacturers and importers fund collection and recycling
- Drop-off locations are available across the province
- The service is free for consumers
- Search for your nearest drop-off at rpra.ca
Municipal Bulk Waste in Ontario
Most Ontario municipalities offer bulk waste or large item pickup. Requirements vary by city:
- Toronto: Book online through Toronto311; up to 1 mattress per pickup
- Hamilton: Contact Public Works or visit Hamilton Transfer Station; fees may apply
- Brantford: Contact the City of Brantford Solid Waste for large item collection details; or drop off at Brantford Transfer Station on Morton Avenue
- Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville: Various municipal programs, check your city's waste management website
- Ottawa: Large item collection or drop-off at Trail Road Waste Facility
Mattress Disposal by Province: Quick Reference
| Province | Program | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | RPRA Mattress Program | Free drop-off at designated collection points; rpra.ca |
| British Columbia | Recycling Council of BC / Product Care | Take-back at participating retailers; rcbc.ca |
| Alberta | Alberta Recycling Management Authority | Drop-off depots in major cities; albertarecycling.ca |
| Manitoba | Municipal programs + private junk removal | Contact your municipality |
| Saskatchewan | Municipal bulk pickup in most cities | Contact your city or RM |
| Quebec | ÉcoEntreprises Québec / municipal programs | Points de dépôt available; some municipal bulk pickup |
| Nova Scotia | Resource Recovery Fund Board (RRFB) | Drop-off at registered depots |
| New Brunswick | Municipal waste programs | Contact your municipality |
| PEI | Province-wide waste management system | Drop-off at Waste Watch depots |
| Newfoundland | Municipal waste programs | Contact your municipality or Residential Garbage Collection |
Donating Your Old Mattress
If your mattress is in genuinely good condition, no stains, no sagging, no odours, structurally sound, donation is the most socially responsible option. Organizations that may accept mattress donations in Canada:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore, accepts mattresses in clean, good condition; call your local ReStore first to confirm
- Local furniture banks, provide household items to people transitioning from shelters or starting over; check your city for local options
- Salvation Army, some locations accept mattress donations depending on condition and local need
- Online platforms, Facebook Marketplace "Free" listings, Freecycle, or Kijiji free section; someone will often come and pick it up
Retailer Haul-Away Services
Many Canadian mattress retailers offer old mattress removal when delivering a new one, making this the most convenient option if you're buying new anyway:
- Mattress Miracle (Brantford): Ask about haul-away at time of purchase
- Sleep Country Canada: Offers mattress removal service for a fee with delivery
- The Brick: Delivery and removal packages available
- Leon's: Old appliance/furniture removal available with some orders
- Endy, Douglas, Silk & Snow: Some online brands partner with logistics providers for old mattress removal; check at checkout
Haul-away fees, when charged, typically range from $25–$75 and represent good value for the convenience of same-day removal without additional scheduling.
What Happens When a Mattress Is Recycled?
A properly recycled mattress has surprisingly few components that end up in landfill:
- Steel springs/coils: Melted down and reused as scrap metal (high recovery value)
- Foam layers: Shredded for use as carpet underlay, cushioning, or sports padding
- Cotton/fibrous layers: Used as industrial insulation or fuel pellets
- Fabric covers: Shredded for industrial wiping cloths or landfill where recycling isn't viable
- Wood frames (if present): Chipped for mulch or biomass fuel
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically yes, some people cut foam mattresses into smaller pieces for easier transport. However, this voids any recycling options and means the materials go to landfill. For spring mattresses, cutting is dangerous and not practical. It's better to use proper disposal channels and keep the mattress intact for recycling.
Inspect seams, corners, and the entire surface for small brown/black spots (droppings), shed skins, or live insects. Bed bugs are roughly the size of an apple seed. Do not donate or give away a mattress with any signs of bed bug activity, this spreads infestation to others and is not appropriate for donation regardless of condition otherwise.
Yes, illegal dumping of large items including mattresses carries fines in all Canadian municipalities. Fines range from $200–$5,000+ depending on jurisdiction and repeat offences. Beyond the fine risk, illegal dumping imposes cleanup costs on communities and contributes to urban blight.
Options: (1) arrange bulk pickup before your move date, (2) drop it at a transfer station the day before, (3) list it free online if it's in good condition, (4) include disposal as a negotiation point when arranging movers (some moving companies handle large item disposal for a fee).
Only a rented dumpster for a specific cleanup, and only if the rental company allows it (many don't due to the space mattresses take up). Putting a mattress in a shared building dumpster or a commercial dumpster you don't own is illegal dumping.
Shop: Browse The Mattress Collection
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic ComfortCare Dalton & Albany pocket-coil mattress
- Whitney double-sided mattress
- Somnia 3.0 posture support pillow
Or browse the mattress collection in our Brantford showroom.
New Mattress + Hassle-Free Old Mattress Removal
Shopping for a new mattress in the Brantford area? Mattress Miracle offers haul-away of your old mattress with delivery of your new one. Come in to our Brantford showroom or shop online, and we'll handle the logistics so you don't have to.
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