Mattress

Also called: bed mattress, memory foam mattress, single mattress, double mattress

Depends where you live

National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.

Your council's answer

The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.

How to prepare it

  1. Many retailers take old mattresses when delivering a new one
  2. Or book a bulky collection or take to the tip

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National rules

The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.

England and Wales

Paid home collection

Book a bulky waste collection, or take it to a recycling centre.

Book a council bulky waste collection (usually paid), take it to the tip, or donate usable furniture.

Also: Recycling centre, Drop-off point

Scotland

Home collection

Book a bulky waste collection, or take it to a recycling centre.

Book a council bulky uplift, take it to a recycling centre, or donate usable furniture to a reuse charity.

Also: Recycling centre, Drop-off point

Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

Northern Ireland

Paid home collection

Book a bulky waste collection, or take it to a recycling centre.

Book a council bulky collection (usually a small charge per item), take it to a recycling centre, or donate usable furniture.

Also: Recycling centre, Drop-off point

Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

How to recycle it

National schemes.

National scheme

BHF free furniture and electrical collection

Free · Free collection

The British Heart Foundation picks up furniture and working electricals from your home for free and sells them in its furniture stores. Put your postcode into its booking page to see if it collects near you.

  1. Enter your postcode on BHF's collection page to check it collects in your area, then fill in the form with your items, a preferred date and your address
  2. Your local BHF store gets in touch within 5 working days to agree a date. You must be over 18
  3. Sofas, mattresses and other upholstered furniture need their fire safety label attached, with no rips
  4. Items must be clean, complete and, for electricals, working, or the van crew won't take them
  5. BHF can't take washer-dryers, some washing machines, cots, prams or oil-filled heaters without a thermostat

Available in England, Wales, Scotland.

Source: bhf.org.uk, checked 24 Oct 2026.

Recycle This isn't run by or endorsed by any council or the government. Councils change their services, so check anything important with your council.