A mattress does not fit in a car, is not a normal trash pickup, and cannot be left at the curb in most places without a specific arrangement. So it sits in a garage or a spare room while somebody works out what to do.
The realistic options
- Check whether your collection provider offers a bulk pickup, and what notice they need.
- Take it to a facility yourself, if you have a truck and the time.
- Donate it — though most charities will not accept a used mattress, and it is worth calling before loading it.
- Have it hauled, which is what most people end up doing.
Why it costs more than a chair the same size
Mattresses frequently carry their own disposal charge at the facility. That is why a mattress is not simply priced as another bulky item, and any quote worth trusting will say so plainly rather than absorbing it quietly and adding it later.
One thing worth checking first
If the mattress has been outside and is soaked through, mention it. Heavily water-damaged material is sometimes handled differently, and it is better to know that before an appointment than at one.