How to Dispose of a Mattress in the Shoals

Why Mattresses Are Tricky

A mattress is one of the hardest household items to get rid of. It is too big for a trash can, too floppy to move alone, and - because of bed-bug and sanitation concerns - most charities will not accept a used one. On top of that, mattresses do not compact well in landfills, so some facilities charge a special handling fee for them. Here is how to handle it the right way in the Shoals.

Option 1: City Bulk / Heavy Trash Pickup

If you live inside Florence city limits, a mattress can qualify for the city's large-item ("heavy trash") curbside collection along with other bulky household goods. The city has specific placement rules: set items no more than about two feet from the street's edge, keep them roughly five feet clear of mailboxes, poles, fences and parked cars, and keep any pile within about four feet high, ten feet long and five feet deep. Do not block a water meter or place items under low utility lines. Confirm your collection day and the current rules with the City of Florence Solid Waste Department. Other Shoals municipalities run their own bulky-item schedules, so check with your city or garbage service if you are in Muscle Shoals, Sheffield or Tuscumbia.

Option 2: Donate It (If It Qualifies)

A clean, stain-free, structurally sound mattress may be accepted by a local charity, but policies vary and many decline used mattresses outright due to state sanitation rules. It never hurts to call first:

• Shoals Habitat for Humanity ReStore - 1120 N. Royal Avenue, Florence; 256-760-9515. The ReStore focuses on furniture, building materials and appliances; call ahead about mattress policy before hauling one over.
• The Salvation Army of the Shoals - thrift store at 205 N. Court Street, Florence; 256-767-4561, with a location in Sheffield as well.

If a charity accepts it, that is the best outcome - your old bed goes to someone who needs it instead of the landfill.

Option 3: Recycle It

Mattresses are surprisingly recyclable - the steel springs, foam, fiber and wood frame can all be separated and reused. Dedicated mattress-recycling drop-offs are limited in the Shoals, but the materials are recoverable where a program exists. If keeping the mattress out of the landfill matters to you, ask us to route it to recycling when we pick it up.

Option 4: Haul It to the Landfill Yourself

You can take a mattress to a public disposal site such as the Lauderdale County landfill on Cloverdale Road in Florence, or to the appropriate transfer facility on the Colbert County side. Expect a tipping fee and, at some sites, a per-mattress surcharge. Rates change, so call the facility to confirm current charges before you load up. You will also need a truck or trailer - a mattress will not fit in most car trunks.

Option 5: Let Us Pick It Up

The no-hassle route is full-service mattress removal. We come to the bedroom - upstairs, guest room, wherever it is - carry the mattress and box spring out, and haul them to donation, recycling or disposal as appropriate. You never have to bend it down a stairwell or strap it to the roof of your car. Combine it with other junk and it is even more cost-effective. Call or text (256) 967-3054.

Quick Comparison

Last verified August 2026. Municipal rules and disposal fees change; confirm your city's current bulky-item schedule and any landfill surcharge before relying on them.

What Happens to a Recycled Mattress

It surprises people how much of a mattress can be reclaimed. Recyclers separate it into its raw materials: the steel innersprings are baled and sold as scrap metal, the polyurethane foam is repurposed into carpet padding, the cotton and fiber become industrial felt or filler, and the wood frame is chipped for mulch or fuel. Only a small fraction ends up as true waste. That is why keeping a mattress out of the landfill is worth the small extra effort where a recycling outlet is available.

A Word on Bed Bugs and Sanitation

One reason charities are cautious about used mattresses is the risk of bed bugs, which is also why Alabama treats bedding carefully. If you even suspect an infestation, seal the mattress in a plastic mattress bag before it leaves the bedroom - it protects the crew, your hallway, and the truck, and it keeps the problem from spreading. Never drag a suspect mattress through the house uncovered.

Simple Prep Before Pickup

• Strip the bedding and linens (those can often be washed and donated separately).
• If you have the original plastic bag or a cheap mattress bag, slip it on - it keeps everything clean on the way out.
• Clear a path from the bedroom to the door so the crew can move quickly.

Whether you set it out for city pickup, drop it at a facility, or have us carry it, a few minutes of prep makes the whole thing smoother.

Sources

• City of Florence - Large Yard Waste / Curbside Trash Collection
• Lauderdale County - Solid Waste
• Shoals Habitat for Humanity