This guide covers essential information for residents and property owners throughout Santa Rosa Beach, WaterColor, Seaside, and all 30A communities. For specific service needs, visit our services page or learn more about our commitment to environmentally responsible disposal and supporting local charities like Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill.
Yes — but ONLY if the mattress is sealed in a heavy-duty plastic mattress disposal bag. Florida's bedbug prevention rule (FAC Chapter 64E-9) requires all mattresses being disposed of to be fully encased in plastic before they leave the property. Mattresses that are not bagged will be refused at the curb by your trash hauler and at the transfer station.
Why the plastic bag rule exists
Florida has the highest bedbug infestation rate in the Southeast U.S. due to the year-round warm climate and the heavy vacation rental market (high turnover = high transmission risk). The plastic-bag requirement prevents bedbugs (or their eggs) from migrating between mattresses during transport and disposal.
The rule applies to:
- All mattress types (innerspring, memory foam, hybrid, latex)
- All sizes (twin through California king)
- Box springs (require their own bag if disposed separately)
- Mattress toppers and pillow tops
Where to get a mattress disposal bag
Mattress disposal bags cost $10-15 each and are available at:
- U-Haul stores (most common option in 30A and PCB)
- Home Depot and Lowe's (with the moving supplies)
- The Walton County transfer station entrance ($15)
- Amazon (free with Prime — but you need it before the disposal date)
Get the right size for your mattress — a queen bag will not seal around a king mattress.
How to bag the mattress
- Open the bag and lay it flat on the floor
- Place the mattress on top of the open bag
- Pull the bag up over the mattress and seal with the included tape
- The bag must fully encase the mattress with no gaps
- Mattress is now ready for disposal
What counts as legal disposal
Once bagged, you have three options:
Option 1: Curbside bulk pickup
Both Walton County and Bay County offer quarterly bulk curbside pickup. Limits:
- ~6 items per quarter (mattress counts as 1 item)
- Schedule via county Public Works
- Must be at curb Sunday night for Monday morning pickup
- ~$30-40 quarterly fee
Important: Many 30A HOAs (Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, Watersound) prohibit items sitting curbside 24-48 hours. Check your HOA rules before scheduling.
Option 2: Self-haul to transfer station
- Walton County (DeFuniak Springs): $15-25 per mattress on top of standard tonnage fees
- Bay County (Steelfield Road): $15-25 per mattress
- Mattress must still be bagged
Option 3: Professional pickup
Mattress removal in 30A and PCB typically runs $150-200 for a single mattress, $90-120 each when bundled with 3+ items. The bag is typically included in the price — we bring it to your home.
What does NOT count as legal disposal
- Putting an unbagged mattress at the curb — trash hauler will leave it and you may receive an HOA citation
- Donating to a charity — most thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) do not accept mattresses due to bedbug risk. ReStore occasionally accepts very-new mattresses
- Leaving it on the side of the road — illegal dumping, $500+ fine
- Putting it in a dumpster without prior arrangement — dumpster companies typically prohibit mattresses
What about mattresses still in good shape?
For mattresses under 2 years old and in clean condition, donation is sometimes possible:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Limited acceptance, call ahead
- Local shelters: Some women's shelters or transitional housing accept newer mattresses
- Buy Nothing groups: Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups occasionally have takers
- Mattress recycling programs: Some manufacturers (Tempur-Pedic, Sleep Number) offer haul-away with new mattress delivery
Common questions
Q: Can I cut up a mattress and put it in regular trash?
A: No — even cut up, the materials still trigger the bedbug rule. Trash haulers can identify mattress materials by sight.
Q: What if my mattress is on the curb and the truck refuses it?
A: You will need to bring it back inside (a violation has likely already occurred), bag it, and reschedule pickup. Some HOAs issue citations for items that sit at the curb beyond the pickup window.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the plastic bag rule?
A: No exceptions for residential disposal. Commercial mattress disposal (hotels, vacation rentals) has additional regulations — typically routed through licensed mattress disposal services.
Q: How much does mattress removal cost in 30A?
A: See our mattress disposal guide for the complete cost breakdown by size and removal method.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Check our full FAQ page or contact us for personalized assistance with your junk removal needs.
1Can I throw away a mattress in Florida?
Yes — but Florida law (FAC Chapter 64E-9) requires the mattress to be sealed in a heavy-duty plastic disposal bag before it leaves the property. Unbagged mattresses will be refused by trash haulers and transfer stations.
2Where do I get a mattress disposal bag?
Mattress disposal bags cost $10-15 each at U-Haul stores, Home Depot, Lowes, the Walton County transfer station entrance, and on Amazon. Make sure to get the right size — a queen bag will not seal around a king mattress.
3Why does Florida require mattresses to be bagged?
Florida has the highest bedbug infestation rate in the Southeast U.S. The plastic-bag requirement prevents bedbugs and their eggs from migrating between mattresses during transport and disposal. The rule applies to all mattress types and sizes.
4Can I put a bagged mattress on the curb in 30A?
Bagged mattresses can go to curbside bulk pickup through Walton or Bay County (quarterly, ~$30-40 fee, ~6 items per quarter). However, many 30A HOAs (Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, Watersound) prohibit items sitting curbside 24-48 hours. Check your HOA rules before scheduling curbside pickup.
5Will Goodwill or Habitat ReStore take my mattress?
Most thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) do not accept mattresses due to bedbug risk. Habitat ReStore occasionally accepts mattresses under 2 years old in clean condition — call ahead. For end-of-life mattresses, professional disposal or curbside bulk pickup are the legal options.
Written by
30A Junk Removal Team
Locally Owned & Operated at 30A Junk Removal. Serving the 30A corridor with professional junk removal, estate cleanouts, and property management services. Committed to eco-friendly disposal and supporting local charities.