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How to Get Rid of an Old Mattress in New Bedford, MA
City pickup is cheapest, but not fastest. If you need the mattress gone today, call New Bedford Junk Co. before noon.
Quick Answer
For Mattress disposal in New Bedford, you have 5 real options in New Bedford: city curbside pickup ($10/item, by appointment), HandUp Mattress drop-off ($35), retailer haul-away (free with new purchase), professional junk removal ($79–$150), or donation if it’s in good condition. You cannot put a mattress in your regular trash — it’s banned under Massachusetts law since November 2022.
Mattress disposal trips up more New Bedford residents than almost any other item. You can’t trash it, you can’t leave it at the curb without scheduling, and you definitely can’t drag it to the Recycling Center on Shawmut Ave. But you do have real, affordable options — and this post covers all of them clearly.
Massachusetts Mattress Disposal Ban — Know This First
Effective November 1, 2022, mattresses and box springs are banned from disposal or transport for disposal in Massachusetts. This means you cannot put a mattress in your trash cart, leave it loose at the curb, or dispose of it at a standard waste facility. Violation can result in fines. Every option below complies with MA state law.
WHAT ARE Your 5 Options OF MATTRESS DISPOSAL in New Bedford
1
City Curbside Pickup (Capitol Waste)
$10 per item
Official Program
The City of New Bedford offers scheduled mattress and box spring curbside pickup through Capitol Waste Services. This is the official, lowest-cost option for most residents.
(855) 533-3400
(Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) or schedule online at capitolws.com
Best for: Residents replacing 1–2 mattresses per year who have time to plan ahead. Not fast — you’ll need to schedule and wait for your trash day.
2
HandUp Mattress Recycling — Local Drop-Off
$35 per item
ECO-FrIENDLY
HandUp is a social impact mattress recycling company with a facility right here in New Bedford. They recycle mattresses responsibly and donate 60% of net profits to support immigrant and refugee neighbors in the area — so your $35 goes further than just disposal.
$35 per mattress or box spring
Best for: Residents who want eco-friendly disposal and are comfortable dropping off the mattress themselves. Also great if you support local social impact businesses.
3
Retailer Haul-Away — Free With New Purchase
Usually Free
Best ValuE
Most mattress and furniture retailers will take your old mattress when they deliver your new one. MA state law and MassDEP actively encourage this option. If you’re already buying a new mattress, this is the smartest move — free removal baked right into your purchase.
Best for: Anyone buying a replacement mattress. Don’t let a retailer skip the haul-away — ask before they leave the store.
4
Professional Junk Removal — Fastest Option
$79–$150
Same-Day Available
If you need it gone today — or you’re dealing with multiple mattresses, bed frames, and other furniture at the same time — professional junk removal is your best call. No wrapping, no scheduling weeks out, no trips anywhere. They come to you.
Best for: Landlords doing a tenant turnover, anyone without a vehicle to transport the mattress, or anyone who needs it gone immediately. The convenience premium is real but justified.
5
Donate — If It’s in Good Condition
Free
Condition Required
If your mattress is clean, relatively new, and free of stains, damage, or pests — donation is worth exploring before spending anything. Organizations won’t take mattresses in poor condition, so be honest before loading it up.
Be honest about condition: Stains, sagging, broken springs, or any sign of bed bugs = not donatable. Don’t waste a charity’s time — use one of the other options instead.
Cost Comparison at a Glance
Here’s every option side by side so you can make the call quickly.
| Option | Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retailer Haul-Away | Free – $25 | On delivery day | Buying a new mattress |
| City Curbside (Capitol Waste) | $10/item | Next trash day | Budget-conscious, patient residents |
| HandUp Drop-Off (NB) | $35/item | Your schedule | Eco-conscious, have transport |
| Junk Removal | $79–$150 | Same day | Speed, no vehicle, multi-item |
| Donation | Free | Varies | Good-condition mattresses only |
Not sure what your pickup may cost? See our full junk removal cost guide for New Bedford before booking.
A Note for New Bedford Landlords
If you’re managing rental properties in New Bedford — triple-deckers, multi-family units, anything with tenant turnover — mattress disposal comes up constantly. The city program allows each dwelling unit its own pickup allowance, which means a 3-unit building can technically schedule 3 separate curbside pickups. But that takes time to coordinate.
For fast turnovers between tenants, professional junk removal is almost always the better call. You’re paying more per mattress, but you’re getting it done in one trip without the scheduling, wrapping, and coordination the city program requires. Factor that into your operating costs and price accordingly.
Dealing with multiple mattresses or a full unit cleanout? New Bedford Junk Co. handles everything in one trip — mattresses, furniture, appliances, whatever’s left behind. Same-day available.
What NOT to Do — Avoid These Mistakes
- Don’t put it in your trash cart. Mattresses are banned from MA trash. Capitol Waste will leave it, and the city may issue a notice.
- Don’t leave it at the curb unscheduled. It won’t be collected on a regular trash day without an appointment. It’ll sit there, get wet, and become a code enforcement problem.
- Don’t drop it at the Recycling Center on Shawmut Ave. The NB Recycling Center does not accept bulk furniture or mattresses.
- Don’t dump it illegally. Illegal dumping fines in Massachusetts are serious. It’s not worth saving $10.
- Don’t forget the plastic wrap if using the city program. Unwrapped mattresses left at the curb will not be collected — full stop.
