What to Do with Your Mattress When Moving Out of Isla Vista

Moving out this June and not sure what to do with your mattress? Here’s a simple guide to help you dispose of it responsibly. We've listed the options from most sustainable to least sustainable—so you can choose what works best for you and the planet.

Best Option: Rehome Your Mattress Online

If your mattress is still in good shape, the most sustainable option is to give it away for free on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Criagslist, or other online platforms.

Tips for success:

• List it for free: It’s much more likely to be picked up quickly. During move-out, demand is lower than in September.
• Keep it off the curb: MarBorg collects anything left on the street. If you’re giving it away, wait to put it outside until your recipient has arrived.

Recycle Your Mattress

Most mattresses contain recyclable materials like metal springs and foam. You can drop yours off at a local facility for proper recycling. For more information on local mattress recycling, check out lessismore.org

• Use this interactive map to find the nearest drop-off location
• Year-round availability: This option is available even before or after official move-out (June 12–28, 2025),  so if you want to recycle your mattress before or after "official" move-out time in Isla Vista, this is the best way to do so.

Last Resort: Leave it for MarBorg Pickup

During move-out, MarBorg trucks are contracted by the County to collect large items - including mattresses - from Isla Vista curbs. Mattresses collected by MarBorg are recycled separately, so this is still a relatively responsible option.

Tips for curb pickup:

• Place your mattress next to your trash bins, not randomly on the street.
• Make sure it’s not blocking sidewalks or roads.
• Don’t bag your mattress - it slows down recycling.

Need help with other items? Check out our Move-Out Guide for info on donating, recycling, and more.