How to get rid of a mattress in Oakland, CA

Book a free Oakland bulky curbside pickup at 1-888-WM-BULKY or online. Single-family homes can set out up to 4 mattresses or box springs, apartments and condos up to 2, kept separate from other items, by 6 a.m. on your appointment day.

Last checked against the official City of Oakland (Oakland Recycles), with Waste Management of Alameda County website. See sources.

Cost
Free
Limit
4 (houses) / 2 (apartments)
How
1-888-WM-BULKY

Curbside bulky appointments are not available during the holiday tree pickup period, from the end of December to the second week of January (checked Oct 29, 2026).

Option 1: City pickup (Free Bulky Curbside Pickup and Bulky Drop Off (WM))

Who can use it

  • All Oakland households with City trash service, single-family homes and apartments, owners and renters.
  • Each household or unit can schedule one curbside pickup and one drop-off appointment.
  • Single-family homes can get a second curbside pickup after using the drop-off and the first curbside pickup (see the note below on the waiting period).

How to book

  1. Call 1-888-WM-BULKY (1-888-962-8559) or request an appointment online at OaklandRecycles.com/bulky-service.
  2. Give a valid email address to get your confirmation and set-out instructions right away; otherwise they are mailed.
  3. Single-family appointments are normally within two weeks. Apartment and condo pickups are usually scheduled in the last week of each month.

Mattress rules

  • Mattresses and box springs are large items: up to 4 per pickup for single-family homes, 2 for apartments and condos. Keep them separate from the rest of the pile.
  • Set-outs over the limit are charged a fee.

Setting it out

  • Put items at the curb by 6 a.m. on your appointment day. Setting out more than one day early can bring a City fine.
  • Up to 4 cubic yards (about 3 x 3 x 12 feet) of furniture, carpets (rolled and taped), boxed or bagged items and remodeling debris.
  • Plus large items kept separate: single-family homes up to 2 appliances, 4 mattresses or box springs, 4 tires, 4 monitors/CPUs/TVs; apartments and condos up to 1 appliance, 2 mattresses or box springs, 2 tires, 2 monitors/CPUs/TVs.
  • Set-outs over the allowed amounts are charged a fee.

Fees and limits

  • Free: bulky drop-off and curbside pickup are included with Oakland trash service.
  • Extra charges apply for more than the allowed amounts. No hazardous or medical waste, rocks, dirt, concrete or fiberglass.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Davis Street Resource Recovery Complex, 2615 Davis Street, San Leandro: one free drop-off appointment of up to 4 cubic yards per household, booked through 1-888-WM-BULKY. Bring your confirmation and proof of Oakland residency; staff can't help unload.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStores generally do not accept mattresses.
  • Bye Bye Mattress, California's mattress recycling program run by the Mattress Recycling Council, offers free drop-off at participating locations. Use the location search and call the site first. A retailer delivering a new mattress in California must offer to take back your old one.

Donation rules are set by each charity and can change. Call before you load up.

What we could not confirm

  • The waiting period for a single-family home's second curbside pickup differs: the Bulky Service page says 45 days, the 2026 flyer says 60 days after the first curbside pickup.
  • The amount of the over-limit fee is not published on the Oakland Recycles pages.

Common questions

How many mattresses can I put out in Oakland?
Up to 4 for a single-family home, 2 for an apartment or condo unit.
Is it free?
Yes, it's included with your trash service.

Sources

Last checked Oct 29, 2026. We read each page below on that date.

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