How to Get Rid of a Mattress in Town of Hempstead, NY
✓ Last verified October 26, 2026 against official Town of Hempstead, New York and retailer sources. See sources.
Rather not haul it? See pickup prices
Quick answer
- Mattresses and box springs go out by special pickup, not with regular garbage. Call the town's Bulk Collection & Special Pick-Up line at 516-378-8484 to request one.
- Seal the mattress or box spring completely inside a bedbug-proof bag. The town says an unbagged mattress at the curb violates its regulations (Section 128 of the Town Code).
- This applies to homes served by the Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department. If a special sanitation district or an incorporated village collects your garbage, call them for their rules.
- Mattresses can't go out on Clean-Up Days; the town excludes large furniture from those collections.
Your options in Town of Hempstead
Special pickup from the town Varies
The town lists mattresses and box springs among its special pickup items, along with furniture and appliances. Contact the Bulk Collection & Special Pick-Up office to request a pickup and get specific disposal instructions. The town's pages don't list a fee for special pickup, so ask when you call. Convertible sofas must be tied closed so they don't open while being handled.
- Call
- 516-378-8484 (or 516-378-4210, Option 2)
- Office
- Bulk Collection & Special Pick-Up, 1600 Merrick Road, Merrick
Sources: Town of Hempstead – Special Pickup Items; Town of Hempstead – Bedding Collection Policy; Town of Hempstead – Clean-Up Days Schedule
Bag it first (bedbug rule) Varies
The town's bedding policy says any mattress or box spring put out for collection must be enclosed in one bedbug-proof bag that is securely sealed. The heavy-duty bag a new mattress is delivered in can be used, as long as the mattress is completely sealed inside. The town says these bags are sold at home improvement, department and some bedding stores. The policy page names Sanitation Districts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, while the special pickup page says mattresses and box springs must be bagged with no district listed, so check with the town if you're unsure.
Sources: Town of Hempstead – Bedding Collection Policy; Town of Hempstead – Special Pickup Items
Homeowner Disposal Area (Merrick) Varies
The town's Homeowner Disposal Area at 1600 Merrick Road accepts furniture and non-burnable items from residents of the town's unincorporated areas (except Sanitation District 1) and from Hempstead and Freeport Villages. Its list doesn't name mattresses specifically, so call 516-378-4210, Option 8, before you bring one. Bring proof of residency, use a non-commercial vehicle, and note the one-trip- a-day limit. Vehicles towing trailers pay commercial rates.
- Hours
- Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (closed town holidays)
- Bring
- Proof of residency (driver's license or tax bill)
Don't do this
- Don't put a mattress out with regular garbage or on a Clean-Up Day. Request a special pickup.
- Don't put out an unbagged mattress or box spring. Seal it in a bedbug-proof bag.
- Don't assume the town collects your street. Villages and special districts have their own rules.
Or pay someone to haul it
If you can't get it to a drop-off site, or can't wait for city pickup, a junk-removal service can take it from inside your home. Prices depend on the company, your location and the size of the load, so get a quote first. Ask whether they recycle or donate items and whether they follow Town of Hempstead's rules, especially for electronics and paint. Another option is to hire moving helpers by the hour: they do the lifting, and with a truck they can drive it to a drop-off site. They move it where you tell them, so pick a legal destination from this guide.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of a mattress in the Town of Hempstead?
If the town's Sanitation Department collects your garbage, call 516-378-8484 to request a special pickup, and seal the mattress in a bedbug-proof bag first.
Does the mattress really need to be bagged?
Yes. The town's bedding policy requires every mattress or box spring put out for collection to be sealed inside one bedbug-proof bag, and calls an unbagged one a violation of Section 128 of the Town Code.
What if I live in a village like Freeport or Garden City?
Incorporated villages and special sanitation districts handle their own collection. Call your village or district for mattress rules. The town's Sanitation Districts page lists them.
Sources
All checked on October 26, 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the source before you go.