Rubbish removal
Mattress disposal
Mattress disposal costs £40 to £70 for a single or double mattress as a one-off collection (Fantastic Services cost guide, October 2026). Added to a mixed rubbish load, the surcharge is lower: £15 to £25 in RubbishBids' July 2026 guide. Council bulky waste collections usually charge £10 to £40 depending on the area and the number of items (My Bin Day, May 2026).
What this covers
Typical price. Mattress disposal costs £40 to £70 for a single or double as a one-off collection (Fantastic Services, October 2026), or a £15 to £25 surcharge added to a mixed load (RubbishBids, July 2026).
Typical jobs
- Collecting an old double mattress the day a new one arrives
- Removing two single mattresses from a child's bunk beds
- Taking away a stained mattress left in a rented flat after the tenant moved out
- Clearing a mattress and divan base from a spare room
- Collecting a mattress that has been stored in a garage and got damp
What is involved
A mattress is bulky, springy and awkward to load, and most recycling and disposal sites take it as a separate item. Mattresses can be taken apart so the metal springs, foam, wood and fabric are recycled separately, which is the route a careful firm will use.
Mattresses are not covered by the POPs rules for upholstered seating: GOV.UK lists mattresses, beds, curtains and blinds as outside them. They are still usually charged separately because of their size and the separate recycling route.
Prices vary between guides. Fantastic Services prices a single or double mattress at £40 to £70 as a single item; RubbishBids lists a surcharge of £15 to £25 on its single item guide and +£20 to £35 for a sofa or mattress on its main price guide; skip firms charge £20 to £50 for a mattress found in a skip.
Other routes: your council's bulky waste collection, your council recycling centre if you can transport it, or a take-back offer from the retailer when a new mattress is delivered.
Choosing a firm
Ask whether the mattress is recycled, and whether the price includes carrying it down stairs and any divan base. Damp or soiled mattresses should be bagged before collection: say so when you book.
The rubbish removal page covers the rules.
Read next
Common questions
How much does it cost to dispose of a mattress?
A one-off collection costs £40 to £70 for a single or double in Fantastic Services' guide (October 2026). Added to a mixed load, RubbishBids lists £15 to £25 (July 2026). Council bulky collections usually charge £10 to £40, according to My Bin Day.
Can a mattress go in a skip?
Some skip firms accept mattresses but charge extra, usually £20 to £50 each. Ask before you put one in, because an unexpected mattress can be charged at collection.
Are mattresses covered by the sofa POPs rules?
No. GOV.UK lists mattresses, beds, curtains and blinds as outside the rules for upholstered seating containing POPs. They are still usually charged as a separate item.