Madison mattress pickup for apartments and small residential properties

Quick Answer — Quick answer — does the City of Madison pick up your mattress?

It depends on your property size. If you live in a house, duplex, or any property with 8 or fewer dwelling units, you can schedule a City large-item work order and leave your mattress curbside on your chosen Sunday. The City collects it during the following work week.

If your building has more than 8 units (many apartment and condominium complexes), City large-item pickup is not available for your property. You will need to use a City drop-off site, arrange disposal through your property manager, visit the Dane County Landfill, or hire a private hauler.

This guide covers the specific rules, steps, and fallback options for Madison residents. All information comes from official City of Madison sources as of July 2026.

Quick facts — Madison mattress disposal at a glance

Does City pickup cover your property? (The 8-unit rule)

The single most important thing to know about Madison mattress pickup is the property-size eligibility rule.

City large-item collection, which includes mattresses, is available only for properties that are both:

1. Eligible City service properties (receiving City trash and recycling service), AND
2. Contain 8 or fewer dwelling units.

If your property has more than 8 units — whether apartments, condominiums, or a mix — the City does not provide large-item pickup. The City's official page on this exclusion is clear: apartments, condominiums, and larger residential complexes are not served by the large-item program.

How to know if you are affected

• Single-family home, duplex, triplex, 4-plex, or small condo building (≤8 units): You are likely eligible. Proceed to the work-order steps below.
• Apartment complex, mid-rise, high-rise, or large condo association (>8 units): You are not eligible for curbside pickup through the City program.

What if you think the rule is wrong for your property?

The City allows property managers or condo board representatives to request a review by email. If your building was incorrectly classified or recently subdivided, the City may update its records. Check the City website page on large-item collection exclusions for the review contact.

How to schedule a mattress pickup (eligible properties)

If your building qualifies (8 or fewer units), here is the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Submit a large-item work order

Go to the City of Madison large-item page and complete the online work-order form. You will need your address and the items you want to dispose of. Mattresses are accepted as large items under this program.

The work-order system lets you pick a Sunday set-out date — the day you will place the mattress at the curb.

Step 2: Choose your Sunday set-out date

Select a Sunday that works for you. Do not put the mattress out on any other day. The City specifies that items go out only on the selected Sunday; early or late set-outs are not allowed.

Step 3: Place the mattress curbside on your chosen Sunday

On the Sunday you selected, move the mattress to the curb. The City does not mention any special wrapping requirement for mattresses — no plastic covering or tape is specified in the official rules. However, if the mattress is soaked or heavily damaged, common sense suggests checking with the City beforehand.

Step 4: Collection happens during the following work week

Crews collect large items on regular working days (Monday through Friday) in the week after your set-out Sunday. You do not need to be home. The City does not publish a specific day-of-week for each address — crews work through the route during the week.

July 2026 maintenance window

New work orders cannot be created from July 23 through July 27, 2026. The City's system undergoes maintenance during this period. If you need mattress disposal during that window, you must:

• Submit your work order before July 23 (choose a Sunday set-out that works with your schedule), OR
• Use an alternative method (drop-off, hauler, landfill) during the maintenance period.

If you already have a work order submitted before the window, the maintenance does not cancel existing orders — it just blocks creating new ones.

Preparing your mattress for pickup

The City's rules for set-out are straightforward:

1. Submit the work order first. This is mandatory. Do not set out a mattress without an active work order.
2. Set out only on your chosen Sunday. No early placement, no late placement.
3. Place at the curb or alley where your regular trash is collected.
4. No special wrapping required based on the official text. If in doubt, call the City Streets Division to ask about covering a mattress in bad weather (not required by the rules, but practical in Madison winters).

Quantity limits

The work order system naturally controls how many items you can list per order. The City page does not specify a maximum number of mattresses per work order. If you have multiple mattresses, list them all on the same work order and verify with the City if there is a per-order limit.

I live in a building with more than 8 units — what now?

If you are in a mid-size or large apartment building, a condo tower, or any property with more than 8 units, you have several options. City large-item pickup is off the table, but mattress disposal is still very doable.

Option 1: Ask your property manager

Your apartment complex or condo association may already have a process for large-item disposal. Many management companies contract with private haulers who handle bulk waste as part of the building's service. Contact your leasing office or property manager first — this is often the simplest solution.

Option 2: City drop-off sites (available to all Madison residents)

Even though you cannot get curbside pickup, you are still a Madison resident and can use City drop-off sites for recycling and waste. To drop off a mattress:

• You will need a vehicle capable of transporting a mattress (truck, SUV with folded seats, or trailer).
• Some items at the drop-off site require a fee sticker. Check the City's fees page to see if mattresses are currently listed as fee items.
• The City suggests renting or borrowing a vehicle if you do not have one (see the no-vehicle section below).

Option 3: Dane County Landfill

The Dane County Landfill accepts mattresses from all Dane County residents. There is a tipping fee for landfill disposal. This is a good backup if the City drop-off site cannot accept mattresses on a given day or if you need to dispose of multiple mattresses at once.

Option 4: Private junk haulers

Several private junk-removal companies serve the Madison area. They will come to your apartment, pick up the mattress (and any other items), and handle disposal for you. Costs vary — get quotes from at least two companies before booking. The City lists registered private junk haulers as an explicit fallback option.

Option 5: Donate or resell

If the mattress is in good condition (no stains, tears, bed bugs, or sagging), consider donating it before resorting to disposal. Many Madison-area charities will pick up donated furniture, though some have rules about mattresses due to health regulations. Call ahead to check.

No vehicle? Getting your mattress to a drop-off site

This is a common problem for apartment dwellers and students who do not own a truck or large vehicle. The City's official advice is to rent or borrow a vehicle for the trip. Specific options include:

• Local vehicle rental — check services like U-Haul (cargo van or pickup truck rentals are usually affordable for a few hours), Home Depot truck rental, or traditional car rental agencies that offer vans.
• Borrow from a friend — a single mattress fits in most pickup trucks, SUVs, or vans with the seats folded down.
• Ask your property manager — some apartment buildings have a maintenance truck or a relationship with a hauler who can take items for a small fee.

If you truly cannot move the mattress yourself, a private junk hauler becomes your best option even though it costs more.

Fees for mattress disposal

This is the area where official information is most uncertain. Here is what the City's pages clearly state and what remains unconfirmed.

What the City says clearly

• Residents receiving City recycling collection do not pay large-item recycling fees. The cost of large-item recycling is covered by the Resource Recovery Special Charge on your utility bill.
• Fee items are only those explicitly listed on the City's fees page. Items not on the list do not have a recycling fee.

What is unconfirmed

• Whether a mattress specifically has a recycling fee. The official text lists fees for certain items but does not clearly state where a mattress falls in the fee schedule.
• Whether the no-fee policy for large-item recycling covers all items at curbside pickup versus only some items.

How to verify before acting

Check the City's official fees page before submitting your work order. If mattresses are listed there with a fee, you will need to pay it. If they are not listed, the fee is presumably covered by the Resource Recovery Special Charge. Do not rely on third-party pages — use the City of Madison website directly.

Drop-off site fees

If you are using a City drop-off site (because you are in a >8-unit building), you may need a fee sticker for items that carry a recycling fee. Confirm with the City whether mattresses require a sticker before you load up and drive over.

Special rules for student move-out season

Madison's student rental areas see a massive spike in large-item disposal every summer when leases turn over, especially in August.

What happened in August 2025

During August 2025, the City relaxed rules for the student move-out area. Landfill-bound large items — including mattresses — could be set out without a work order during a designated window. This was a temporary seasonal measure to handle the volume of move-out waste.

Important warnings

• These rules change year to year. The August 2025 relaxation was time-limited and area-specific. Do not assume the same rules apply in 2026 or beyond.
• Always check current City news before moving out. The City posts seasonal updates on its news page.
• If no special rules are in effect for the current year, the standard work-order requirement applies. Plan ahead.

Who is in the student move-out area?

The designated student move-out area typically covers the near-campus neighborhoods (Langdon, Regent, Vilas, etc.). The City's news page for each year's move-out season defines the exact boundaries. If you are a student moving out in August, search the City website for the current year's August Moving Days announcement.

Other options: donate, haulers, landfill

Donation and reuse

Before doing anything else, ask yourself: does this mattress still have life in it?

• St. Vincent de Paul — accepts gently used mattresses in some locations; call ahead.
• The Salvation Army — may accept mattresses depending on local policy and condition.
• Madison-area furniture banks — some accept used mattresses for families in need.
• Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist / Freecycle — a clean, usable mattress can go quickly for free or a small price. Be honest about condition in your listing.

If the mattress has stains, tears, sagging, or any sign of bed bugs, donation is not an option.

Dane County Landfill

The landfill accepts mattresses from any Dane County resident. You will need to transport the mattress yourself and pay a disposal fee (tipping fee). Call ahead for current hours, fees, and any special requirements for mattresses (some landfills require them to be wrapped or separated from other waste).

Private junk haulers

These companies will come to your door, haul the mattress away, and dispose of it properly. They are the most expensive option but also the most convenient — especially if you lack a vehicle or have multiple items to get rid of. Search for Madison junk removal and get quotes from at least two companies. The City's official resources list registered private junk haulers as a recognized fallback.

Business or commercial mattress disposal

If you are a business owner, landlord, or property manager disposing of mattresses from a commercial property or rental portfolio, this guide's sources are residential-focused. The City's large-item page does not clearly address business or commercial disposal.

• Contact the City of Madison Streets Division directly to ask about commercial large-item disposal options.
• Use a commercial waste hauler — many companies that service businesses also handle bulky-item removal.
• Dane County Landfill accepts commercial waste for a fee.

Do not assume that residential work-order rules apply to business disposal. Verify with the City or your waste provider.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Setting out a mattress without a work order. If you live in an eligible property, you must submit a work order first. Mattresses set out without one may be left behind or could result in a violation.

1. Assuming your apartment qualifies for pickup. The 8-unit cutoff is strict. Do not count on City pickup if you live in a building with 9+ units. Plan for drop-off, management pickup, or a hauler.

1. Setting out on the wrong day. Only set the mattress out on the Sunday you selected in the work order. Not Saturday. Not Monday. The City's rules are specific on this point.

1. Missing the July maintenance window. Check the current date. If it is July 23–27, you cannot create a new work order. Plan around this or use an alternative.

1. Assuming last year's student move-out rules still apply. Seasonal exceptions are not permanent. Verify the current year's rules before moving out.

1. Not checking the fees page in advance. You could arrive at the drop-off site without the right fee sticker or be surprised by an unanticipated charge. Check first.

1. Ignoring the jurisdiction boundary. This article covers the City of Madison only. If you live in Shorewood Hills, Middleton, Fitchburg, Monona, Maple Bluff, or another adjacent municipality, your rules are different. Check with your own city or village.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put my mattress in the dumpster at my apartment?

That depends on your property manager's rules. Many apartment dumpsters are for regular household waste only, and large items can fill up the dumpster quickly. Ask your property manager before placing a mattress in or near the dumpster. Some complexes have designated bulk-item pickup days.

Does the City pick up box springs too?

The City's large-item page does not distinguish between mattresses and box springs for eligible properties. List both on the same work order if you need to dispose of a full set.

What if I live in a house with a home-based business?

If the property itself is a residential City service property with ≤8 units, the work-order system should apply for normal residential waste. If the mattress comes from business operations, check with the City about commercial disposal rules — the source material for this guide is residential-focused.

Can I dispose of a mattress during winter?

Yes, the work-order system runs year-round. However, if there is heavy snow, the City advises keeping large items clear of snowbanks so collection crews can reach them. Check the City's seasonal collection reminders for winter-specific guidance.

How many mattresses can I put out at once?

The work order system lets you list your items, but the official text does not specify a per-order quantity limit. If you are disposing of multiple mattresses (e.g., clearing out a rental property), contact the City to confirm there is no limit before submitting the work order.

Sources and where to verify current information

All facts in this article are drawn from the following official City of Madison sources. Because rules, fees, and seasonal programs can change, always verify the current information on the City's website before acting.

1. City of Madison Large Items and Appliances page — work order system, set-out rules, and accepted items

https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/trash-recycling/how-do-i-dispose-of/large-items-and-appliances

1. No large-item collection for apartments, condominiums, and properties with 8+ units

https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/trash-recycling/how-do-i-dispose-of/large-items-and-appliances/no-large-item-collection-for

1. Fees for large items — fee sticker requirements and the Resource Recovery Special Charge explanation

https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/trash-recycling/how-do-i-dispose-of/large-items-and-appliances/fees-for-items

1. August 2025 student move-out rules (archive — verify current year separately)

https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-07-28/august-moving-days-using-the-large-item-work-order-system-in-the-student-move-out

Jurisdiction reminder: This guide covers the City of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. If you live in an adjacent city, village, or unincorporated area, your waste disposal rules are different. Always check with your local municipal government for the rules that apply to your specific address.