Mattress disposal in Columbus, Ohio

Rules

Curbside allowed

Yes

Appointment required

Yes

Limits

The current Bulk Collection page does not state a numeric cap on how many mattresses a household may schedule. It does say items from an eviction, set-out, or foreclosure will not be collected. Title 13, as posted, limits scheduling to an occupied dwelling and to bulk generated on that property. The Rules and Regulations dated 10/02/2020 say a move-out or house clean-out is not eligible.

Preparation

• Bulk Collection page: no bulk items will be collected unless the resident schedules collection online through 311 or calls (614) 645-3111.
• Bulk Collection page: if regular trash is picked up at the curb, place bulk items in front of the home, away from obstructions, on the scheduled collection day. If regular trash is picked up in an alley, place bulk items on the edge of the property at the alley line.
• Bulk Collection page: bulk items should not be placed in the collection container. Leave furniture assembled. Items resulting from an eviction, set-out, or foreclosure will not be collected.
• Division of Refuse Collection Rules and Regulations, dated 10/02/2020 and still posted by the city: mattresses, upholstered furniture (including leather), or any item containing fabric scheduled for collection shall be completely sealed in plastic wrap.
• Those same 10/02/2020 rules: tell the 311 Call Center at 614-645-3111 when scheduling bulk that has been exposed to bed bugs. If items were exposed to bed bugs, all of them shall be completely sealed in plastic wrap.
• Title 13 as posted by the city (the posted chapter says it became effective August 31, 2020): bulk shall not be placed out more than 3 calendar days (72 hours) before the scheduled collection. Bulk shall only be scheduled at an occupied dwelling, and only bulk items generated on the property shall be scheduled.
• Rules and Regulations dated 10/02/2020: bulk from a move-out or a house clean-out is not eligible for bulk collection.

How to schedule

1. Schedule the mattress before you set it out. The Bulk Collection page says no bulk items will be collected unless you schedule online through 311 or call (614) 645-3111. The page also points residents to 311.columbus.gov.
2. On the scheduled day, set the mattress out where your trash is collected: in front of the home and away from obstructions for curb collection, or on the edge of the property at the alley line for alley collection.
3. Keep the mattress out of the trash cart. The 10/02/2020 rules still posted by the city say a mattress scheduled for collection has to be completely sealed in plastic wrap, and you must tell 311 if it was exposed to bed bugs.

Phone, app, or portal

• Phone: 311 or (614) 645-3111
• Online: https://311.columbus.gov/

Fees

Curbside

Free. The Bulk Collection page says the city will pick up many bulk items, including mattresses, as a free service to its residents. The Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers page says drop-off there is free of charge to residents.

Notes

SWACO's Recycling Convenience Center page says the center is for Franklin County residents and that there are fees for some items. The published fee list is tires at $5.00 per tire, an LCD TV monitor at $15.00, CRTs below 20 inches at $25.00, CRTs below 35 inches at $35.00, and CRTs above 35 inches at $45.00. The page says fees are subject to change and that credit and debit cards are charged a 3% processing fee. It does not list a mattress fee.

Drop-off locations

Two city sites and one county site publish mattress drop-off. The city convenience-center page lists mattresses under bulk waste as furniture and mattresses in poor condition. SWACO's conditions are different and end on a published date. Hours below are the regular hours each page states. The city convenience-center page also lists 2026 holiday closures, which are included in that hours text.

What's not accepted

• Hazardous, flammable, or explosive materials.
• Auto parts and tires.
• Excavating and building materials.
• Refrigerated appliances: refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, water coolers, and air conditioners.
• Furnaces, pianos, spas, hot tubs, or pool tables.
• Bags, boxes, storage tubs, luggage, and open containers of trash. The Bulk Collection page says those are not bulk.
• At the city convenience centers: commercial waste, and mattresses are listed only as bulk waste in poor condition. The page does not say it accepts a mattress in good condition.
• At SWACO: waterbeds, and mattresses that are wet or that have bed bugs, mold, blood, or excessive staining. Acceptance of mattresses there is published through November 30, 2026.

Other free options

Not published by the city

Paid options

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