By the Bryson Rubbish Clearance team
Last updated: October 2026
Wondering how to dispose of a mattress in the UK? Whether you have an old mattress, unwanted bed or bulky bedroom furniture to get rid of, there are several legal options available.
You can arrange a council bulky waste collection, take your mattress to a suitable household waste recycling centre, ask your mattress retailer about take-back, donate or sell a mattress that is still in good condition, or use a licensed mattress collection service.
If you’re looking for mattress disposal in Kent, Bryson Rubbish Clearance can collect old mattresses directly from your property and arrange responsible disposal.
In this guide, we’ll explain 6 legal ways to dispose of a mattress, what each option involves and which may be the easiest choice for you.
What is the best way to dispose of a mattress?
If your mattress is still clean and in good condition, you may be able to donate it, sell it or give it away. If it is no longer suitable for reuse, you can look at a council bulky waste collection, the local household waste recycling centre or a licensed mattress collection service.
The six main options are:
- Book a council bulky waste collection.
- Take it to a household waste recycling centre.
- Ask the retailer to take your old mattress away when delivering your new one
(Some shops offer this service) - Offer the mattress to a charity.
- Sell it or give it away.
- Use a licensed mattress collection service.
Why can’t you put a mattress into a skip?
Most skip companies do not accept mattresses as general waste, as these items are charged separately. The same reason you can’t dispose of a fridge freezer into a skip, as commercial waste transfer centres charge separately for these items. They are also made from a mixture of materials that need to be recycled separately.
Depending on the mattress, these materials can include:
- Metal springs
- Foam
- Fabric
- Padding
- Fibres
How to dispose of a mattress: 6 legal options
There isn’t one disposal method that suits everyone. Here are six options to consider.
1. Book a council bulky waste collection
Many local councils offer a bulky waste collection service for large household items. A resident of Kent, can book a bulky waste collection online through their local council.
This service can cover large household items such as mattresses, beds and sofas, although the collection Date and charges can vary depending on your local council.
Most waiting times are 4-6 weeks
Before booking, check:
- How much the collection costs.
- How long you’ll have to wait.
- Where the mattress needs to be left (usually on the roadside council policy)
- Whether there are any restrictions on the items they will collect.
If you’re unsure which council provides what service, GOV.UK can help you find your local council.
2. Take your mattress to a household waste recycling centre
If you have access to a suitable vehicle, you may be able to take your old mattress to a household waste recycling centre, sometimes known as the tip.
However, not every site may accept mattresses, and some locations require residents to book before visiting.
If you’re in Kent, check the current requirements for your local household waste recycling centre before making the journey.
You should also make sure the mattress is transported safely and securely.
If you don’t have a suitable vehicle, a large mattress can be difficult to transport, most council tips don’t accept vans or commercial vehicles, In that situation, a professional mattress collection service may be a more convenient option.
3. Ask the retailer to take your old mattress away
Buying a new mattress?
Ask the retailer whether they offer an old mattress collection or recycling service.
Some mattress companies and furniture retailers offer to remove your existing mattress when delivering the replacement.
There may be an additional charge, so check the collection terms before placing your order.
This can be one of the easiest options because the old mattress can be removed at the same time as your new one is delivered.
4. Donate your mattress to charity
If your mattress is clean, undamaged and still suitable for use, you may be able to donate it.
However, charities often have strict requirements about mattresses they can accept.
A mattress may need to:
- Be clean and free from stains.
- Have no rips, tears or significant damage.
- Have the appropriate fire safety label attached if applicable.
- Be in a condition that is suitable for reuse.
Always contact the charity before transporting the mattress to them. Some charities may offer collection services, while others may not accept mattresses at all.
5. Sell or give away your old mattress
If your mattress is still in good condition, you could sell it or give it away.
You could ask friends or family, or use a local selling or reuse platform.
Be honest about the mattress’s age, condition and any signs of wear.
Remember that many people will not want to take a used mattress, particularly if it has stains, damage or has not been properly stored.
If nobody wants it and it cannot be reused, you’ll need to consider one of the other disposal options.
6. Use a licensed mattress collection service
For many people, using a licensed mattress collection service is the easiest option.
This is particularly useful if:
- You don’t have a suitable vehicle.
- The mattress is upstairs.
- You have more than one mattress.
- You also need a bed or other furniture removed.
- You don’t want to wait for a council collection.
- You want the mattress collected directly from your property.
A licensed waste carrier can collect the mattress and transport it to an appropriate licensed waste facility.
Before booking any rubbish removal company, check that they are authorised to transport waste and ask what happens to your mattress after collection.
You can check waste carrier registration through the Environment Agency’s public register.
At Bryson Rubbish Clearance, we are registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier and provide waste documentation for our customers.
Can a mattress be recycled?
Yes. Mattress recycling is possible because many mattresses contain materials that can be separated and processed for recycling.
Depending on the mattress, recyclable materials can include:
- Metal springs
- Foam
- Fabric
- Fibres
Mattress recycling is a specialist process, and old mattresses are transported to a facility that is equipped to recycle them separating the materials.
At Bryson Rubbish Clearance, our aim is to ensure mattresses are dealt with responsibly and that suitable materials are diverted from landfill wherever possible.
Looking for mattress disposal near me?
If you’ve searched for “mattress disposal near me”, a local licensed waste carrier may be the easiest solution.
Professional collection can be particularly useful if you don’t have a suitable vehicle, the mattress is upstairs, you have several mattresses to remove or you simply don’t want to wait for a council bulky waste collection.
Bryson Rubbish Clearance provides mattress collection and disposal across Kent, including Sittingbourne, Faversham, the Isle of Sheppey, Maidstone, Whitstable, Canterbury, Medway, Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood, Rainham and surrounding areas.
We can collect single, double, queen/king-size and super king-size mattresses, as well as bed frames, divan bases, headboards and other bulky household items.
Mattress disposal and collection in Kent
Bryson Rubbish Clearance is a rubbish clearance company based in Kent. We provide mattress disposal, bed disposal and rubbish removal across Kent for homeowners, tenants, landlords and businesses.
Waste facilities charge for mattresses they receive. To help keep collection costs competitive, we may allocate set collection days for different areas and group collections where possible.
We currently aim to have your mattress collected within 24-48 hours within your area of Kent
If you need your mattress removed sooner, contact us and we’ll discuss the options available.
Not sure whether we cover your area? Get in touch and ask our team.
How Bryson Rubbish Clearance can help
Getting rid of a mattress doesn’t have to be difficult.
At Bryson Rubbish Clearance, we provide a straightforward mattress collection and rubbish removal service across Kent.
We can provide:
- Free, no-obligation quotations.
- Mattress collection and disposal.
- Single, double, Queen/king-size and super king-size mattress removal.
- Bed frame disposal.
- Divan base and headboard removal.
- Sofa and furniture removal.
- Bulky household waste collection.
- House clearance services.
- Responsible disposal and recycling of suitable materials.
- Waste documentation for your records.
- Services for homeowners, tenants, landlords and businesses.
If you have more than just a mattress to remove, we can collect other unwanted furniture and household rubbish at the same time.
Where suitable, we can provide a quotation from photographs or by a verbal list/description meaning you may not need to arrange a visit before receiving a price.
If your mattress is still in good condition but simply needs cleaning, our sister company, Bryson Property Services, also offers mattress, carpet and upholstery cleaning.
What should you not do with an old mattress?
You should not:
- Leave a mattress on the street unless arranged for collection.
- Leave it beside communal bins.
- Dump it on someone else’s land.
- Burn it in your garden.
- Give it to an unknown waste collector without receiving a waste transfer note.
If you arrange for someone else to remove your household waste, you should take reasonable steps to make sure the person or company is authorised to transport waste.
Using an unlicensed waste carrier can result in your mattress being fly-tipped, potentially leaving you facing a much bigger problem.
Always check the credentials of a waste removal company before handing over your rubbish.
Mattress Disposal FAQs
Q: How much does mattress disposal cost?
A: £25 per mattress
Q: Is that £25 any size mattress?
A: Yes we get charged £20 at the tip no matter the mattress size.
What is the cheapest way to dispose of a mattress?
If your mattress is clean and in good condition, giving it away or donating it may be the cheapest option.
If it cannot be reused, compare the cost of a council bulky waste collection with a quotation from a licensed mattress collection company.
Remember to consider what is included in the price, particularly if you need the mattress collected from inside your property.
Where can I dispose of a mattress near me?
Your options can include a council bulky waste collection, a household waste recycling centre that accepts mattresses, a retailer take-back service or a licensed waste carrier.
If you’re in Kent, Bryson Rubbish Clearance can collect mattresses directly from your property.
Where can I recycle a mattress near me?
Mattress recycling may be available through your local council, a suitable household waste recycling centre or a licensed waste carrier.
If you’re in Kent, Bryson Rubbish Clearance can collect your old mattress and transport it to an appropriate licensed waste facility.
Will the council collect my old mattress?
Many councils offer bulky waste collections that include mattresses. Some councils are gradually changing their policies on what they will and won’t collect.
Check with your local council for the latest information about mattress collection in your area.
Can I take a mattress to the tip?
Potentially, yes.
You should check with your local household waste recycling centre before travelling, as not every site accepts mattresses and most sites now require residents to book a slot.
Can I put a mattress in a skip?
Not necessarily.
Nearly all skip hire companies charge an additional fee for mattresses, while others may not accept them.
Always check with the skip company before putting a mattress into a skip.
Is it illegal to leave a mattress outside?
Leaving an unwanted mattress on a street, next to communal bins or on someone else’s land can potentially be treated as fly-tipping.
If you have a booked collection, follow the collection company’s instructions about exactly where and when the mattress should be left.
Do you take the bed as well?
Yes. Bryson Rubbish Clearance can collect bed frames, divan bases and headboards along with mattresses.
Tell us everything that needs removing when requesting your quotation.
Do you collect sofas and other bulky items?
Yes. We provide rubbish removal and bulky waste collection for sofas, armchairs, furniture and other large household items.
If you have several items to remove, we can often collect them at the same time as your mattress.
Can you collect a mattress from upstairs?
yes we can
Let us know where the mattress is located when requesting your quotation. This allows us to understand the job and plan the collection appropriately.
Do I need to be at home for the collection?
This depends on the arrangements made for your collection.
Can the mattress be left somewhere safe and accessible,
Yes just explain and leave access
Is Bryson Rubbish Clearance registered?
Yes. Bryson Rubbish Clearance is registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier.
When arranging mattress disposal or rubbish removal, we recommend checking the credentials of any company before allowing them to remove waste from your property.
Get a Free Mattress Collection Quote in Kent
If you’re a homeowner, tenant, landlord or business looking for mattress disposal in Kent, Bryson Rubbish Clearance can help.
We provide mattress collection, bed disposal and rubbish removal across Kent, with free, no-obligation quotations.
Whether you have a single mattress, an old bed or a house full of unwanted furniture, contact the Bryson Rubbish Clearance team to discuss what you need.
Send us photographs of the items or give us a call and we’ll provide a quotation where possible.
We work across Sittingbourne, Faversham, the Isle of Sheppey, Maidstone, Canterbury, Whitstable, Medway, Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood and Rainham, as well as surrounding areas.
Looking for mattress disposal in Kent? Get in touch with Bryson Rubbish Clearance today.
