Mattress Removal in Melbourne: Top 10 Best Options (Including Free Pickups)

When it’s time to get rid of an old mattress, figuring out how to dispose of it responsibly in Melbourne can save you stress and help the environment. Over the years, helping people move, I’ve seen countless mattresses that needed a new home or proper disposal. Whether you’re upgrading your bed, moving house, or simply decluttering old furniture, finding the right way to handle that bulky old mattress makes the process easier and greener.

As someone who’s spent over two decades helping Melburnians move, I’ve learned about all sorts of mattress removal options – from free council pickups to dedicated recycling programs. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top 10 ways to dispose of a mattress in Melbourne, including some free pickup solutions. I’ve gathered tips, local insights, and firsthand experiences to help you choose the best option. Let’s dive into how you can clear out that mattress without hassle, while doing the right thing for your community and the planet.

1- Council Hard Waste Collection for Mattress Removal in Melbourne (Free Pickup)

Most Melbourne councils offer annual hard rubbish collections that include mattresses – and they’re usually free for residents. This is one of the easiest ways to get rid of a mattress without spending a cent. Typically, you either book a curbside pickup in advance or wait for your area’s scheduled hard waste week. I always advise clients to take advantage of these council services when timing allows. It keeps your move lighter and guarantees the mattress is taken care of by the authorities.

Each council has its own rules, so check your local council’s website or give them a call. Usually, you’ll be allowed to put out a certain number of large items (like one or two mattresses) once or twice a year. Make sure to place the mattress out on the nature strip or designated spot close to the pickup date, so it doesn’t sit in the weather for too long. Using your council’s hard waste collection is convenient and budget-friendly – a classic “Melbourne” solution that I’ve seen work for countless families on moving day.

• Cost: Free for residents (limited pickups per year)
  
• Timeframe: Booked windows or set weeks; allow days to weeks
  
• How it works: Book with your council; place mattress on the nature strip by collection date
  
• Who it’s best for: Households without transport; people who can wait
  
• Extra notes: Item limits apply; some councils require plastic wrapping

2- Local Transfer Stations and Recycling Centres for Mattress Disposal in Melbourne

If you can’t wait for a council pickup or you’ve already used yours, dropping the mattress off at a waste transfer station or recycling centre near you is a quick solution. All around Melbourne, local tips and council-run facilities accept old mattresses for disposal or recycling. There’s usually a small fee (around $30-$70 per mattress, depending on the location), but you’ll know the item is handled properly. I’ve driven many a van to transfer stations after helping a client move, unloading mattresses along with other junk. It’s straightforward: you bring the mattress in, and they’ll take care of it from there.

Some transfer stations work with recycling programs to salvage materials from mattresses – steel springs, foam, and wood can often be repurposed. If you’re a resident, check if your council tip offers any free drop-off days or vouchers for mattresses. A few councils subsidise mattress recycling as part of their sustainability efforts. The downside is you need a suitable vehicle (or a buddy with a ute) to haul the mattress. But if you have the means, heading to a local recycling centre is an efficient way to say goodbye to your old mattress while keeping things above board.

• Cost: Typically $30–$70 per mattress
  
• Timeframe: Same day during opening hours
  
• How it works: Load and deliver to a local tip or recycling centre; pay on arrival
  
• Who it’s best for: Anyone with a car, ute, or trailer; urgent disposals
  
• Extra notes: Some centres recycle; check for resident vouchers

3- Specialist Mattress Recycling Services in Melbourne (Eco-Friendly Removal)

For an eco-friendly approach, you can use specialist mattress recycling services that operate in Melbourne. One well-known option is Soft Landing – a social enterprise dedicated to recycling old mattresses. They’ll collect your mattress from your home for a fee, or direct you to drop-off points where the mattress will be broken down for parts. These services aim to recycle up to 90% of mattress components, from the steel springs to the foam and fabric. I’ve had many eco-conscious clients feel relieved knowing their mattress isn’t just ending up in landfill.

Using a mattress recycler does usually cost a bit (often around $50 per mattress for a pickup), but you’re paying for the recycling process and a good cause. The teams manually dismantle each mattress to recover materials, which is much better for the environment than dumping it. In recent years, industry groups and the government have ramped up support for mattress recycling in Victoria – so it’s easier than ever to find a recycler near you. If sustainability is a priority, reaching out to a service like this is one of the best ways to dispose of a mattress in Melbourne responsibly.

• Cost: Often around $50 for pickup; drop-off may be lower
  
• Timeframe: Booked pickups within a few days; drop-offs during open hours
  
• How it works: Book online or by phone; mattress dismantled for materials recovery
  
• Who it’s best for: Eco-conscious households; people without a vehicle
  
• Extra notes: High recovery rates; supports social enterprise jobs

4- Donating Your Mattress to Charities or Nonprofits in Melbourne (If in Good Condition)

If your mattress is almost as good as new – clean, unstained, and structurally sound – consider donating it to someone in need. Many charities can’t accept used mattresses for safety and hygiene reasons, but a few will take them if they’re in excellent condition. It’s always important to call ahead and ask. For instance, some shelters or community organisations might welcome a near-new mattress to help a family doing it tough. I’ve found that platforms like GIVIT and DonateDirect are very useful for this: you can list your mattress online and get matched with a charity or individual in Melbourne who needs it.

Another idea is to check if any local churches, refugee support groups, or crisis centres are seeking mattress donations. Sometimes, after disasters or for newly arrived families, a good mattress is high on the wish list. Donating a mattress does require that extra bit of effort to find the right home for it, but it can be incredibly rewarding. Over the years, I’ve seen clients light up at the thought of their unwanted bed helping someone sleep better at night. Just remember: only donate if the mattress is genuinely in great shape – no one deserves a lumpy or saggy bed, and charities will appreciate receiving items that are truly usable.

• Cost: Free
  
• Timeframe: Variable; depends on acceptance and scheduling
  
• How it works: Call ahead; use matching platforms; arrange pickup or drop-off
  
• Who it’s best for: Near-new, clean mattresses only
  
• Extra notes: Strict hygiene and condition rules; many charities cannot accept

5- Selling or Giving Away Your Old Mattress in Melbourne

Perhaps your mattress isn’t suitable for formal donation but is still decent enough for someone personally – in that case, consider selling or giving it away within the community. Melbourne has a vibrant online marketplace scene. Websites and apps like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and even eBay can be used to list your mattress either for a low price or for free (buyer picks up). I’ve met plenty of people who successfully offloaded their mattresses this way, especially if it’s a well-known brand or less than 5-10 years old. Even a student or a neighbor might gladly take a free queen bed off your hands if they’re in need.

Another route is to use community groups like Freecycle or local “Buy Nothing” Facebook groups. These platforms are all about gifting items you don’t need to others nearby. You’d be surprised – even an older mattress can find a home if someone is handy with upholstery cleaning or just needs a temporary bedding solution. The key is to be honest about the condition and ideally share a photo. In my experience, mattresses offered for free tend to get snapped up quickly as long as the pickup is easy. This option saves you disposal fees, gives the mattress a second life, and continues the great Melbourne tradition of neighbours helping each other out.

• Cost: Free or low price; no disposal fees
  
• Timeframe: Often within hours or days
  
• How it works: List on local marketplaces; buyer collects from you
  
• Who it’s best for: Owners happy to coordinate pick-up
  
• Extra notes: Be honest about condition; include clear photos

6- Retailer Take-Back Programs for Mattress Removal in Melbourne (When Buying a New Mattress)

If you’re replacing your mattress with a new one, one of the simplest disposal options is to let the retailer handle the old mattress. Many mattress retailers in Melbourne offer a service to remove your old mattress when they deliver the new one. Typically, there’s a small fee for this (around $30-$50 is common), but I’ve found it’s well worth it for the convenience. When coordinating moves, I often ask my clients if their new bed shop will take away the old mattress – it saves us an extra job on moving day, and the customer doesn’t have to worry about disposal at all.

Retailers usually partner with recycling companies or mattress recyclers as part of these programs. That means your mattress isn’t just thrown in the trash; it often goes to a recycling facility. Be sure to arrange this when you purchase the new mattress – mention that you have an old one to remove, so the delivery team comes prepared. I recall a family in Brunswick who were delighted when the delivery guys carted off their ancient mattress, clearing space for the new one without any fuss. If you’re short on time or transport, a retailer take-back is a hassle-free way to get rid of a mattress and ensures it’s handled properly afterwards.

• Cost: Small fee common; sometimes included
  
• Timeframe: Same day as the new mattress delivery
  
• How it works: Add removal at purchase; the delivery team takes the old away
  
• Who it’s best for: People replacing a mattress; limited time or transport
  
• Extra notes: Ask if the retailer recycles the old mattress

7- Hiring a Professional Removalist or Junk Service for Mattress Pickup in Melbourne

For quick and hands-off mattress removal, you can always hire professionals. As a removalist myself, I’ve been asked countless times to take away an old mattress either during a house move or as a standalone service. The benefit here is obvious: you don’t have to lift a finger (beyond booking the service). We come in, do the heavy lifting, and make the mattress disappear. Many rubbish removal companies in Melbourne also do single-item pickups like mattresses if you ring them up – they’ll typically provide a quote based on your location and the item size.

The cost of a private mattress removal service will be higher than council, or if you want to move your mattress with DIY options, but you’re paying for convenience and speed. If you need that mattress gone today or you’re unable to move it yourself, this can be a lifesaver. In my experience, people often use this option when they’ve missed the council collection or if they live in an apartment where leaving a mattress on the curb is tricky. Pros will also ensure the mattress ends up in the right place. When North Removals handles a mattress, for example, we try to drop it at a recycling centre whenever possible. Hiring a removalist or junk service is a no-hassle solution – we take on the problem so you can focus on more important things.

• Cost: Premium; quote-based per item or visit
  
• Timeframe: Often same-day or next-day
  
• How it works: Book a removalist or junk service; they lift and take it away
  
• Who it’s best for: Urgent removals; apartments; no car or limited access
  
• Extra notes: Choose reputable operators; ask about recycling destinations

8- Using Skip Bins for Mattress Disposal During Big Clean-Ups in Melbourne

If you’re doing a major clean-out or renovation, hiring a skip bin might be a practical way to include your old mattress in the purge. In Melbourne, there are many skip bin services, and most allow mattresses to be thrown in (though some may charge a surcharge for mattresses due to recycling fees). I’ve worked with clients who were downsizing from a large house – they ordered a big skip and filled it with all sorts of unwanted furniture and junk, mattress included. It’s an efficient solution when you have a lot to get rid of at once.

Keep in mind, skip bins are best if you have a volume of stuff; it’s not cost-effective to hire a whole skip for just one mattress. But for those big jobs, having a skip outside for a week means you can toss the mattress along with garden waste, old furniture, and anything else piling up. Just double-check the rules with the skip provider: some ask that the mattress be placed on top of the bin or loaded last, and others might have a limit on how many you can put in. Also, be mindful of the placement – you’ll need a spot on your property or a permit to put it on the street. Using a skip requires some muscle (you or your team have to lift that mattress in), but it’s a thorough way to declutter everything in one go.

• Cost: Bin hire fee plus possible mattress surcharge
  
• Timeframe: Bin on site for several days; delivery in 1–2 days
  
• How it works: Book bin; load mattress with other waste; company collects
  
• Who it’s best for: Large clean-outs, renovations, moving house
  
• Extra notes: Check surcharge and placement permits; lifting required

9- Creative Reuse and Upcycling Ideas for Old Mattresses in Melbourne

This option isn’t for everyone, but some savvy Melburnians find creative ways to reuse parts of an old mattress. Over the years, I’ve met a few DIY enthusiasts who saw potential in those springs and foam. For example, the foam padding from a mattress can be cut up to make dog beds, cushions for outdoor furniture, or even beanbag filler. The wooden frame or slats (if it’s a box spring or ensemble base) can be repurposed into shelving or garden planters. I’ve seen metal springs turned into quirky wine racks and art pieces – you’d be amazed at the creativity out there!

If you’re handy with tools and have the space, dismantling a mattress yourself can yield materials for projects. At the very least, you might salvage some scrap metal from the springs (metal recyclers will pay a small amount for steel by weight) or use padding for insulation. Just be careful during the process: mattresses are put together with strong staples, and those springs can pop out unexpectedly. Wear gloves and protective gear if you give this a try. While most people will opt for easier removal methods, upcycling is a fun challenge for the creatively inclined. It keeps materials out of landfill, and you might end up with something useful or unique for your effort.

• Cost: Minimal; tools and time
  
• Timeframe: Hours to a weekend project
  
• How it works: Dismantle; reuse foam, timber, and springs in projects
  
• Who it’s best for: DIYers; not in a rush
  
• Extra notes: Wear protective gear; dispose of leftover parts properly

10- Last Resort: Landfill Disposal for Unsalvageable Mattresses in Melbourne

Finally, if all else fails, there’s the last resort: taking the mattress to the landfill. I call this a last resort because dumping a mattress in a tip means none of its materials are recycled – it’s essentially going to waste. Sometimes, though, it’s unavoidable. Maybe the mattress is severely damaged, waterlogged, infested with bed bugs, or too old to safely handle. In such cases, you can take it to your local landfill or council waste facility for disposal. There will be a fee (usually on par with the transfer station recycling fee, around $50 per mattress), and they’ll ensure it’s buried or processed along with other garbage.

In my two decades on the job, I’ve found that with a bit of planning, almost every mattress can be dealt with through one of the earlier options. But I’ve also helped a customer or two with a truly unsalvageable mattress that had to go to landfill – for example, a badly soiled mattress from a long-term storage cleanup. If you do have to go this route, make sure you transport the mattress properly (tie it down on your trailer or roof racks securely) and unload it at the designated area of the tip. Never dump a mattress on the side of the road or in someone else’s skip; apart from being illegal, it creates an eyesore and a headache for the community. By taking it to the landfill yourself, you’re at least disposing of it in the proper way and avoiding fines. Still, whenever possible, explore the many other avenues above to give your mattress a more productive end-of-life.

• Cost: Disposal fee similar to transfer stations
  
• Timeframe: Immediate during facility hours
  
• How it works: Transport to the tip; pay fee; unload at designated area
  
• Who it’s best for: Damaged, infested, or unsalvageable mattresses
  
• Extra notes: Never dump illegally; secure the load in transit

North Removals: Your Go-To for Cheap Mattress Pickup in Melbourne

Donating or disposing of mattresses in Melbourne can be a bit of a project – from finding the right option to coordinating the pickup or drop-off. At North Removals, we aim to make that process easier and more affordable for you. Take advantage of our Way Cheaper Wednesdays — move on a Wednesday and get 15% off with cheap removalists Melbourne who care. We know moving and decluttering can be stressful, so a mid-week discount is our way of helping you save money while getting top-notch service.

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of helping many clients who, in the middle of packing up, realised they had old mattresses they didn’t want to bring along. One couple I moved from Fitzroy found they had a queen-size mattress in the spare room that wouldn’t fit in their new apartment. Using our man-with-a-van service, we picked up that mattress and dropped it off at a local recycling centre on the way to their new place. Seeing their relief (and knowing that the mattress would be recycled instead of dumped) was a real highlight of the day. Moments like that remind me that moving is about more than just shifting furniture – it’s about fresh starts, responsible choices, and little acts of kindness along the way.

Whether you’re clearing out the garage, getting ready for a local move, or need to dispose of a bulky item like a mattress, North Removals is here to help. Get in touch with us today and let’s make your move (and your mattress removal mission) smooth, affordable, and stress-free. We pride ourselves on being Melbourne’s most reliable removalists, and we’d love to be part of your next big chapter – handling the heavy lifting so you can focus on settling into your fresh space.