How to Dispose of a Box Spring

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann

Last Updated: November 14, 2024 References

Box springs are heavy and large, so an old one may take up too much space in your home. If you want to get rid of your box spring, you can either reach out to find the proper way to throw one away or you can break it down yourself. Once you clear it out of your home, you can have the extra space it was taking up–just make sure to follow any local waste rules to avoid a fine!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Throwing out Your Box Spring

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1
Call your city waste department to see if you can put the box spring on the curb. Many cities have a large or bulky item collection period. Contact your local waste management either over the phone or through their website to check if and when they collect bulk items.^{[1]
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- Make sure the box spring is in front of your house on the first day of the scheduled pick-up period.
- Box springs won't be picked up during regular trash collection.
2
Schedule pick-up with the city online or over the phone if needed. Box springs larger than 4 ft × 3 ft (1.22 m × 0.91 m) should be called in so they can be correctly transported. Appointments can be scheduled up to 4 weeks in advance. Plan around city holidays or inclement weather since waste disposal services may not run on those days.^{[2]
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- Put the box spring out the night before your scheduled pick-up or in the early morning.
- Some private waste companies will also pick up and get rid of box springs for a fee.
- If your city has a bulk collection period, you don't need to schedule an appointment during that time.
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3
Cover the box spring in a plastic mattress bag. Mattress bags make the box spring easier to transport as well as prevent the spread of bed bugs. Slide your box spring into the bag and fold the opening over to seal it.^{[3]
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- Some places, like New York City, will fine anyone who leaves a mattress or box spring outside without covering it.
- Mattress bags can be purchased at furniture or moving supply stores for around $10 USD.
4
Drop the box spring off at a landfill if you can transport it yourself. Contact your local landfill or waste site to see if you can get rid of your box spring there. Bring the box spring to the location and throw it away if it's allowed. Many landfills will have a fee for disposal, usually around $30 USD.^{[4]
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- Some landfills have limits of how many box springs you can throw away per year.
5
Find a recycling service to collect your box spring if your city has one. Reach out to your local department of health or public works to see if they have a recycling program where you can drop off your box spring. Many components inside a box spring can be reused for different purposes, such as melting the steel to make new parts and chipping the wood to use as animal bedding.^{[5]
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State of Massachusetts
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- If your box spring is in good condition, check for organizations near you where you can donate it. Websites like RecycleSearch allow you to find the closest donation locations to you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Breaking down a Box Spring

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1
Cut the bottom lining off the box spring with a utility knife. Flip your box spring so it's upside-down. Make sure you have enough room to work around the box spring, so you don't have to move it. Run your knife around the edges to remove the lining. This should expose the wood frame.^{[6]
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- Keep extra blades with you in case they go dull.
2
Run your blade around the edges to remove the sides of box spring. Start your blade on the outside of the wood frame on the short sides of the box spring. Cut through the fabric and pull it off the sides. Remove the fabric from every side of the box to expose the metal springs.^{[7]
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- Keep your hands clear from where you make your cuts.
3
Pry the wooden supports off with a claw hammer. Put the claw of the hammer underneath one of the wooden supports on the sides of the box spring. Pull the hammer's handle towards your body to lift the boards up and remove them. Remove the supports from each side before removing the boards in the center.^{[8]
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- Your box spring may have a metal support in the center running across the bottom. Take this support off first if it is there.
4
Pull the top fabric out from under the springs. Lift the box spring up so you can remove the padding and the remainder of the fabric. Throw the fabric away once you completely remove it.^{[9]
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- Box springs can be heavy depending on their size. Ask someone to help you lift or move the box spring if you can't do it yourself.
5
Throw away the components of the box spring. The components of your broken-down box spring (besides the metal springs) can fit in a large garbage bin if you want to throw the pieces away. Otherwise, contact your local waste department to see how you can properly throw away the larger pieces.^{[10]
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- Bag the components together in large garbage bags before putting them in your trash can.
- Throw away the metal springs during a bulk collection period or by taking them to a local landfill.

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Can you donate a box spring to a thrift store?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Different thrift stores have different policies on accepting donating bedding materials. Contact thrift or resale stores in your area and ask if any of them are willing to accept your box spring. Some charities will take them to reuse or recycle for you.

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Where can I dispose of an old mattress?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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You can donate the mattress to a recycling company or break it down to reuse the materials yourself. You can also rent a dumpster or call a junk-hauling service to dispose of it for you. If your mattress is in good condition, you may even be able to sell it or donate it to a thrift store or charity.

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What else can you do with an old box spring?

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There are many creative uses for old box springs. For example, you could upcycle the wooden frame into a bookcase or planter. You can also repurpose the springs into a creeping wall for vines in your garden, or hang the frame with the springs from your ceiling and use it as a hanging rack for pots, pans, and other kitchenware.

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Reach out to your local government to learn the proper way to dispose of your box spring to avoid fines.

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