How to Get Rid of Your Old Mattress in Australia
Council pickups, charity donations, recycling options, and retailer take-back programs — state by state.
Buying a new mattress is exciting. Figuring out what to do with the old one? Not so much. Over 1.8 million mattresses end up in Australian landfill every year. The good news is you have several free or low-cost options to dispose of your old mattress responsibly.
1. Council Kerbside Collection (Free)
Most Australian councils offer free kerbside bulk waste collection 2-4 times per year. Mattresses are accepted in almost all council programs. You book online or by phone, place the mattress on your kerbside on the designated day, and the council picks it up.
Some councils also offer on-demand collection (you book when you need it) for a small fee or free depending on your area.
Free (included in council rates)2. Charity Donation (Free)
If your mattress is still in decent condition (no major stains, sagging, or structural damage), several charities will pick it up for free. This is also what most bed-in-a-box brands do with returned mattresses.
Charities that accept mattresses: The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Mattress Recycling Australia, and some local community groups. Call ahead — not all locations accept mattresses, and they’ll want to know the condition first.
Free (if in acceptable condition)3. Mattress Recycling (Free or Low Cost)
Mattresses are up to 90% recyclable — the metal springs, foam, fabric, and timber can all be separated and reused. Dedicated mattress recycling facilities exist in most capital cities.
Key recyclers: Soft Landing (social enterprise operating in NSW, VIC, QLD), 1800Mattress (national pickup service, ~$50-80 per mattress), and some council waste transfer stations accept mattresses for recycling.
Free to ~$80 depending on service4. Retailer Take-Back (When Buying New)
Some traditional mattress retailers (Snooze, Forty Winks, Beds N Dreams) offer old mattress removal when they deliver your new one. This usually costs $50-100 but saves you the hassle entirely. Bed-in-a-box brands generally don’t offer this service since they don’t have delivery trucks visiting your home.
$50-$100 typical5. Private Rubbish Removal (Fastest)
Services like 1300Rubbish, Tom’s Trash, or local Airtasker listings will come to your home and remove the mattress same-day. Most charge $80-$150 for a single mattress pickup. Not the cheapest option, but the fastest and most hassle-free.
$80-$150 typicalCouncil Collection by State
New South Wales (Sydney)
Most Sydney councils offer 2-3 free kerbside collections per year. City of Sydney residents get 3 free bookings. Check your local council website for booking dates. Some councils (Inner West, Canterbury-Bankstown) also offer drop-off at waste depots.
Victoria (Melbourne)
Melbourne councils typically offer 2-4 free hard waste collections annually. Some (City of Melbourne, Yarra) have switched to on-demand booking systems. Check your council’s website — most have online booking forms.
Queensland (Brisbane)
Brisbane City Council offers 2 free kerbside collections per year for all ratepayers. Book online at least 5 days before your preferred date. Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast councils have similar programs.
South Australia (Adelaide)
Adelaide councils generally offer 2 free collections per year. City of Adelaide residents can also drop off bulky waste at the Waste Transfer Station on Thebarton for free.
Western Australia (Perth)
Perth councils offer 2-3 verge collections per year on a scheduled calendar. Check your local council for your designated collection week. Some councils also accept mattresses at their waste facilities.
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