Beyond the Landfill: Oregon's Nation-Leading Mattress Recycling Program
Bye Bye Mattress • Oregon Stewardship Program
The Mattress Problem
Mattresses are among the most problematic items for landfills. Their bulky, spring-loaded construction jams machinery, and their composite materials don't compact well. In Oregon, mattresses occupy approximately 30 cubic feet of landfill space each and can take 80-120 years to decompose.
75-90%
Recyclable materials per mattress
100K+
Mattresses recycled annually in Oregon
$11
Recycling fee at purchase (one-time)
Oregon's Mattress Stewardship Program
How the Recycling Fee Works
$11 fee collected at point of sale for each mattress or box spring sold in Oregon. This fee funds the entire recycling infrastructure—collection, transportation, processing, and public education. The fee is a one-time charge, not an annual tax.
Note: The fee appears as a separate line item on your receipt, clearly identified as the "Oregon Mattress Recycling Fee."
Since 2016, Oregon's program—operated by the Mattress Recycling Council under the trade name Bye Bye Mattress—has established collection sites in every county, making responsible disposal accessible statewide.
The Recycling Process: From Drop-Off to Rebirth
1
Manual Sorting
Workers inspect and sort by condition and material composition
2
Deconstruction
Fabric cover removed; foam and fibers separated
3
Steel Extraction
Springs removed with magnetic separators, baled for recycling
4
Material Processing
Foam becomes carpet padding; wood chips become fuel
Recovered Materials & Their New Lives
Steel: New metal products
Foam: Carpet padding, insulation
Wood: Mulch, biomass fuel
Fabric: Industrial wipes, felt
How to Recycle Your Mattress in Oregon
Drop-Off Locations
Metro Central Transfer Station (Portland) Metro South Transfer Station (Oregon City) McMinnville Transfer Station Hillsboro Landfill
Plus 50+ locations statewide
Many Oregon counties host free seasonal collection events. Check with your local waste management district for upcoming dates. Events typically require advance registration and proof of residency.
Retailer Take-Back
When purchasing a new mattress, Oregon retailers must offer removal of your old mattress for a fee (typically $20-30). This fee may be separate from recycling fee but ensures proper processing.
Preparation Guidelines
✓ Mattress must be dry and free of mold/mildew
✓ Remove all bedding (sheets, mattress pads, covers)
✓ No box springs with wood frames—these require separate disposal
✓ Waterbeds not accepted—contact specialty recyclers
✓ $25 fee typically applies at transfer stations (covers processing costs)
Simplify Your Mattress Disposal
For multiple mattresses, difficult transport situations, or comprehensive property cleanouts, professional services can handle pickup and ensure proper recycling through Oregon's program.
Oregon by the numbers: Since 2016, Oregon's program has recycled over 800,000 mattresses, recovering 18,000 tons of steel and 12,000 tons of foam. That's enough steel to build 250 houses and enough foam to carpet 8,000 homes.