How to get rid of a mattress in San Antonio, TX

Mattresses go in your twice-yearly curbside bulky pile, or to any of the City's four Bulky Waste Collection Centers for free with a CPS Energy bill and photo ID. The centers will not take mattresses with blood stains or bed bugs.

Last checked against the official City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department website. See sources.

Cost
No fee for the twice-yearly pickup
Curbside
Accepted in your bulky pile
Drop-off
Free at centers (no bed bugs or blood stains)

Option 1: City pickup (Curbside bulky item collection (twice a year))

Who can use it

  • For City of San Antonio residential solid waste customers.
  • Drop-off centers are for residential customers only and require a recent CPS Energy bill showing the City's Environmental Fee, plus photo ID.

How to book

  1. No booking for the twice-yearly collection. Watch for the door hanger, or use the City's Find My Collection Day tool for an estimated timeframe.
  2. Questions or no door hanger: call 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000.
  3. Need a pickup between cycles? Request an out-of-cycle collection online or through 3-1-1. The fee depends on pile size; staff give a free estimate, and pickup happens within two working days after payment.

Mattress rules

  • Mattresses are on the City's accepted list for curbside bulky collection.
  • Set out by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week.

Setting it out

  • The door-hanger date is when to set your pile out, not the pickup day. Collection can take up to a week.
  • Have the pile ready by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week.
  • No more than 8 cubic yards, within 8 feet of the curb, in front of your house, even if your garbage is collected in the alley.
  • Not obstructed, not in front of parked cars, not under low limbs, not on vacant lots or water meters. Keep brush in a separate pile.

Fees and limits

  • The twice-yearly curbside collection has no separate fee listed.
  • A pile that contains brush, is obstructed, or is set out after crews pass can bring a fine of up to $2,000 per day plus a collection and disposal fee.
  • Drop-off centers are free if you pay the Environmental Fee on your CPS Energy bill.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Bulky Waste Collection Centers accept mattresses, but not ones with blood stains or bed bugs.
  • Bitters, 1800 Wurzbach Parkway, 78216.
  • Frio City Road, 1531 Frio City Road, 78226.
  • Culebra, 7030 Culebra Road, 78238.
  • Rigsby Road, 2755 Rigsby Road, 78222.
  • Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Bulky items are limited to 4 cubic yards per visit.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStores do not accept mattresses or box springs (national guidance).

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

What we could not confirm

  • The curbside page does not say whether mattresses with bed bugs are refused at the curb. The drop-off rule is the only one we found.

Common questions

Does San Antonio pick up mattresses?
Yes, with twice-yearly curbside bulky collection.
Can I drop off a mattress?
Yes, free at a Bulky Waste Collection Center with a CPS Energy bill and photo ID. No mattresses with blood stains or bed bugs.

Sources

Last checked Oct 21, 2026. We read each page below on that date.

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