Official curbside bulk‑item service
The City of Pflugerville’s solid‑waste contractor (Waste Connections) provides a bulk‑pickup program through the Utility Billing Department. Residents can place up to six bags or bulk items at the curb on their normal trash‑collection day. The city encourages residents to email or call the Utility Billing Department at 512‑990‑6100 if they need bulk pickup, but notice is not requiredpflugervilletx.gov. Key points from the city’s bulk‑pickup policy include:
This curbside program is the easiest way to dispose of a mattress in Pflugerville. Place the mattress at the curb on your regular trash day (within the six‑item limit). It counts as one bulk item and will be collected by Waste Connections.
Items not accepted at Pflugerville’s Recycle Center
Pflugerville operates a Recycle Center at 15500 Sun Light Near Way (open Monday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Residents must show photo ID and pay property taxes to the city to use the center. The center accepts metal appliances, brush, leaves, cardboard, paper, scrap metal and automotive fluids, but some items are not accepted. The Recycle Center specifically lists “Furniture (leave at curb for trash pickup)” among the non‑acceptable itemspflugervilletx.gov. Because mattresses are considered furniture, they cannot be dropped off at the Recycle Center and should instead be placed at the curb under the bulk‑pickup program.
Donation options
Donating a mattress keeps it out of the landfill and helps families in need, but most charities require mattresses to be clean and in good condition (no stains, rips or tears). Donation services may decline heavily used or damaged mattresses. The following options serve the Austin‑Pflugerville area:
| Organization | Details and acceptance policy |
|---|---|
| Salvation Army Family Stores (Austin Area Command) | The Salvation Army allows residents to schedule a pickup by calling 512‑416‑0607 or 1‑800‑SA‑TRUCK. Items must be resalable; their website notes that mattresses and box springs must not have rips, stains or tearssalvationarmyaustin.org. They publish a list of items they will not accept, including “stained and torn mattresses” and “waterbed frames or mattresses”salvationarmyaustin.org. Therefore, only clean, lightly used mattresses should be donated. |
| Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Austin) | ReStore operates donation centers and resale stores. Their donation guidelines state that they accept furniture in good working condition but cannot accept used mattresses and box springs |
| Other charities | Some local shelters or non‑profits may accept mattresses if they meet health and resale standards. Always call ahead to confirm. Examples mentioned by local guides include the Austin Furniture Bank (furniture donation organization) and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. However, these organizations have strict quality criteria and may decline mattresses that are not “like‑new.” |
Private mattress‑removal and recycling services
If your mattress cannot be donated and you prefer not to wait for curbside pickup, several private companies serve Pflugerville with on‑demand haul‑away or recycling services. These options typically charge a fee but may refurbish or recycle the mattress instead of sending it to a landfill.
- Ex‑Mattress and Duke’s Junk Recycling – Local services highlighted by Ex‑Mattress’s disposal guide provide eco‑friendly pickup and recycling. Ex‑Mattress offers scheduled pickups and 24/7 drop‑off and inspects, cleans and repairs mattresses to give them a second lifeexmattress.com. Duke’s Junk Recycling specializes in recycling mattresses and other wasteexmattress.com.
- LoadUp – National junk‑removal company that provides online scheduling and curbside or in‑home pickup of mattresses in Pflugerville. Pricing is quoted online, and the company claims to recycle or donate when possible (according to marketing material).
- Other haulers – Local junk removal companies and charities (e.g., 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?, IREP Junk Removal) operate in the Austin–Round Rock–Pflugerville area and will remove mattresses for a fee. When choosing a hauler, ask whether they recycle or donate to minimize landfill waste.
DIY recycling or reuse
For those who enjoy hands‑on projects, you can break down your mattress and reuse the materials:
- Strip the mattress cover and remove fabric or foam layers. Foam can be cut into pet beds or couch cushions; wooden slats can become garden stakes or craft projectsexmattress.com.
- Recycle metal springs – springs can be sold to scrap‑metal recyclers or repurposed into art or garden trellises.
- Check local recycling rules – some municipal recycling programs accept separated materials; call the City of Pflugerville or Travis County for guidance.
DIY recycling requires tools and safety equipment (gloves, face mask, utility knife). If you are not comfortable dismantling a mattress, use the curbside program or a professional service.
Landfill disposal (last resort)
If none of the above options work, you can take the mattress to a landfill or transfer station. Travis County is served by the Travis County Landfill (Waste Connections) and the Texas Disposal Systems landfill. Both facilities accept non‑hazardous solid waste, including mattresses, but they charge per item (often around $35–$40). Landfilling should be considered a last resort because mattresses take up significant space and are difficult to compact. Recycling, donation or curbside pick‑up reduces environmental impact.
Summary and recommendations
- Use Pflugerville’s curbside bulk‑pickup program first. Place the mattress at the curb on your normal trash day. Up to six items are allowed, and mattresses are specifically listed as acceptable bulk items
pflugervilletx.gov. Notify the city if possible, and never include hazardous waste or glass with your bulk items.
- Do not take mattresses to the city Recycle Center; the center does not accept furniture and directs residents to leave furniture at the curb for trash pickup
pflugervilletx.gov.
- Donate if the mattress is clean and in good condition. The Salvation Army accepts mattresses without stains or tearssalvationarmyaustin.org and offers free pickup; call 512‑416‑0607 to schedule. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore does not accept used mattresses
austinhabitat.org.
- Consider private recycling/haul‑away services such as Ex‑Mattress, Duke’s Junk Recycling or LoadUp. These services charge a fee but prioritize reuse and recyclingexmattress.com.
- Recycle materials yourself if you have the tools and time. Disassemble the mattress, separating foam, wood and metal, and repurpose or recycle these materialsexmattress.com.
- Landfill disposal should only be used when other options are not possible. Fees apply, and mattresses take up significant landfill space.
By following these guidelines, residents of Pflugerville can dispose of a mattress responsibly, ensuring compliance with city rules and reducing environmental impact.
Additional resources from Ex‑Mattress
The Ex‑Mattress team maintains a number of guides and service pages on mattress removal, donation and recycling. These resources may be helpful if you are looking for more information or professional services beyond the City of Pflugerville’s programs:
| Ex‑Mattress resource | Description |
|---|---|
| How to dispose of a mattress in Austin | An Austin‑focused guide that explains Ex‑Mattress’s removal process (pricing, booking steps and recycling practices) and compares it with the City of Austin’s on‑demand bulk pickup, drop‑off at local landfills and donation options. It also links to the Pflugerville guide and other regional resourcesexmattress.com. |
| Services hub | Landing page for all Ex‑Mattress services, including removal, recycling, donation and drop‑off. |
| Mattress removal | Describes how Ex‑Mattress crews collect mattresses from homes or curbs and provides quotes. |
| Mattress recycling | Explains the company’s recycling process (hand‑dismantling mattresses and routing components to recyclers) and how to schedule a pickup. |
| Mattress donation | Outlines donation services and partners for gently used mattresses and links to donation guides. |
| Mattress drop‑off | Offers a self‑service option for customers to drop off mattresses at an Ex‑Mattress facility at their convenience. |
| Pflugerville mattress disposal guide | Ex‑Mattress’s Pflugerville‑specific guide that compares city bulk pickup with same‑day recycling services. |
| Austin mattress donation guide | Provides details on charities in the Austin area that accept mattress donations and how to prepare your mattress for donation. |
| National mattress disposal guide | A broad resource covering disposal, donation and recycling options across the United States. |
These links are provided for convenience; they are managed by Ex‑Mattress and may include promotional content. Always verify details (such as pricing and accepted items) with the service provider before scheduling a pickup or drop‑off.
