Fort Worth mattress disposal: need that bed gone—fast, cheap, and green? here’s your no‑BS playbook; scroll and pick your path.
Key takeaways
Fort Worth gives you four main ways to ditch an old mattress: a free (but slow) city bulk pickup, resident‑only drop‑off stations, paid landfill or hauler services, and condition‑based donation. The fastest, most hassle‑free path is a same‑day private pickup; the cheapest is the city’s bulk week; the greenest is a recycler or donation when spotless. About 75 % of a mattress can be recycled, so landfilling is always the last resort. (SA Truck, fortworthtexas.gov, mrmattressdisposal.com, Waste Connections)
1. Free city bulk pickup
How it works: Fort Worth crews collect bulky items—including mattresses—one week each month for most neighborhoods. You can set out up to 10 cubic yards (≈ 8 × 6 × 6 ft pile) at no charge. Place at the curb after 6 p.m. the Friday before and before 7 a.m. Monday of your assigned week. (fortworthtexas.gov, American Legal Publishing)
Pros
- Free for single‑family customers.
- No booking form—just follow your zone calendar.
- Accepted even if your mattress is stained or torn.
Cons
- You may wait 3‑4 weeks until your next bulk week.
- No specific time window; piles can sit curbside for days.
- Over 10 cubic yards triggers extra fees or rejection. (American Legal Publishing)
Tip: Break frames in half or tie mattresses tight so wind doesn’t scatter materials; fines apply for debris blown into the street.
2. Resident drop‑off stations – free
Fort Worth runs four drop‑off stations (DOS). Bring a current water bill or Texas driver’s license with a Fort Worth address, and you can unload mattresses, box springs, and other bulky waste for $0. Single‑axle trailers only; box trucks and commercial vehicles are turned away. (fortworthtexas.gov, fortworthtexas.gov, sweetdumps.com)
Locations & hours
- 2400 Brennan Ave. (north)
- 5150 Martin Luther King Fwy. (southeast)
- 301 Hillshire Dr. (southwest)
- 6260 Old Hemphill Rd. (far south)
All sites open Tue–Sat, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Sun–Mon and City holidays. (fortworthtexas.gov)
Pros
- Zero cost if you have a truck.
- Immediate drop‑off—no wait list.
- Mattresses diverted from curbside clutter.
Cons
- You supply the vehicle and labor.
- Weekend lines can stretch 30–45 minutes.
- Commercial addresses not allowed. (sweetdumps.com)
3. Landfill or transfer station – pay, dump, drive away
If you want a one‑stop drop without city ID rules, head to the Waste Connections Fort Worth C & D Landfill (4144 Dick Price Rd.). It accepts municipal solid waste, special waste and construction debris six days a week. Expect gate rates roughly $72–$125 per ton (with a $45 minimum) based on recent regional averages. Call ahead for exact pricing; mattresses typically count as municipal solid waste. (Waste Connections)
Pros
- Open to residents outside city limits.
- No monthly volume cap.
- Drop other home‑reno debris in one trip.
Cons
- Pay‑by‑weight fees; one queen mattress plus box spring often hits the $45 minimum.
- You still haul and unload yourself.
- Landfilling offers no material recovery—least green choice. (Texas Disposal Systems)
4. Private junk and mattress haulers – fastest and easiest
When you want the mattress gone today (or this evening after work), book a licensed hauler. Typical prices in Fort Worth run $85–$130 per mattress (all‑in) for one‑item curbside pickups, or $150–$200 for multiple pieces carried from upstairs. (Mattress Disposal Plus, mrmattressdisposal.com)
| Company | Speed window | Green policy |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress Disposal Plus | 1‑ to 2‑day slots | Recycles whenever feasible (Mattress Disposal Plus) |
| Mr. Mattress Disposal | Same‑day on request | Bulk mattress specialist; claims lower cost (mrmattressdisposal.com) |
| Junk King Fort Worth | 2‑hour arrival window | Items sorted for donation/recycling (Junk King) |
| Waste Management Bagster** | DIY bag + pickup | Landfill; no recycling (WM) |
*Prices are 2024–2025 market averages; confirm real‑time quotes.
**Bagster requires room on your driveway and a clear 12 × 14 ft overhead.
5. Donation – only if your mattress is spotless & tagged
Most nonprofits refuse used mattresses for health reasons, but two Fort Worth options sometimes say yes if your bed is stain‑free, odor‑free, pest‑free, and tagged with manufacturer fire label:
| Non‑profit | Accepts? | How to arrange | Typical pickup wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salvation Army North Texas | Yes, if spotless & tagged | Schedule online at SATruck.org or call 817‑834‑6271 | 1–3 weeks (fortworth.satruck.org, salvationarmyntx.org) |
| Furniture Bank DFW | Only gently used | Email photos to [email protected] | 1–2 weeks (limited zip codes) |
Goodwill does not accept mattresses nationwide. (Tom’s Guide)
If donation falls through, pivot to a recycler or paid hauler so the bed doesn’t end up illegally dumped.
6. Recycling options in and around Fort Worth
Fort Worth lacks a dedicated mattress‑only recycler, but several private haulers break units apart and route foam to carpet‑pad manufacturers and springs to scrap yards. Ask companies about diversion rate (> 75 % is strong) before booking. Texas stewardship legislation is under consideration; until then, recycling depends on voluntary markets. (Junk King)
7. Compare your choices at a glance
| Option | Cost | Time to clear | Landfill diversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| City bulk week | $0 | 1–4 weeks | ❌ – most landfilled (American Legal Publishing) |
| Drop‑off station | $0 | same day | ❌ (currently landfilled) (fortworthtexas.gov) |
| Private recycler/hauler | $85–$200 | same/next day | ✅ up to 75 % recycled (Mattress Disposal Plus, mrmattressdisposal.com) |
| Landfill direct | $45 min | same day | ❌ 0 % diversion (Waste Connections) |
| Donation (spotless only) | $0 | 1–3 weeks | ✅ 100 % reuse (fortworth.satruck.org, salvationarmyntx.org) |
8. Frequently asked questions
What’s the cheapest way right now? City bulk week (free) wins on cost if you can wait; next‑cheapest is resident drop‑off (you haul). (fortworthtexas.gov)
Can I leave the mattress at an apartment dumpster? Property rules vary; illegal dumping fines start around $200–$500. Use bulk pick‑up if your complex schedules it, or a private hauler. (Reddit)
Does anyone recycle mattresses for free? Not in Fort Worth today—drop‑off stations landfill them. Paid recyclers cover labor to dismantle and haul to downstream markets. (Junk King)
What if it rains before my bulk pickup? Wrap the mattress in plastic; water‑logged beds weigh more and may be rejected or cost extra at landfills. Plastic mattress bags run $10–$15 at hardware stores. (WM)
9. Next steps for you
- Need it gone this week? Get a same‑day or evening slot from a reputable hauler and ask for a recycling guarantee (75 % or higher).
- Okay to wait? Check your neighborhood’s next bulk week and set a calendar reminder.
- Mattress spotless? Apply the donation checklist, snap photos, and schedule Salvation Army pickup.
- DIY warrior with a truck? Head to a drop‑off station (bring ID) or the Waste Connections landfill (bring $45 cash/card).
Further reading
- Dallas mattress disposal guide – learn condition standards before you promise a charity pickup.
- Texas mattress disposal guide – coming soon; covers statewide bulk rules, recyclers, and landfill bans.
- National mattress disposal guide – compare options and stewardship laws across the U.S.
Why responsible disposal matters
A single mattress hogs up to 60 ft³ of landfill space and contains 25+ lb of steel and 20+ lb of polyurethane foam—materials that recycle into re‑bar and carpet padding with far lower energy than virgin production. Choosing a recycler or eligible donation keeps Fort Worth cleaner, conserves resources, and supports Texas’s circular economy goals. (SA Truck, Mattress Disposal Plus, mrmattressdisposal.com)
Got more questions? Reach out to Fort Worth Solid Waste (817‑392‑1234) or your chosen hauler before the next bulky‑item week sneaks up on you. (fortworthtexas.gov, fortworthtexas.gov)
