Where to Take Mattresses, Furniture, Yard Waste, Appliances, and More
Need to get rid of stuff? Don’t guess—this guide tells you exactly where to take your junk in Orange County for free or low-cost disposal. Whether it’s a busted fridge, yard waste, or an old couch, you’ll find the best options below.
Start With These Free Options
Curbside Bulky Item Pickup
Most Orange County cities offer a free pickup service for large household items. You usually get 3–4 pickups per year. They’ll take furniture, mattresses, yard clippings, and even appliances. Contact your city or garbage provider to schedule a pickup and check your limits. Don’t forget to prep your items (remove doors from appliances, bundle yard waste).
County Landfill Drop-Off
If you miss your pickup or have more than allowed, OC Waste & Recycling runs three public landfills that accept many items for free:
- Olinda Alpha Landfill in Brea
- Frank R. Bowerman Landfill in Irvine
- Prima Deshecha Landfill in San Juan Capistrano
Each landfill accepts mattresses, furniture, appliances, scrap metal, and yard waste. You’ll need to show proof of Orange County residency at the gate. No appointment is needed.
Where to Drop Off Household Items
You don’t need to drive all over OC to figure this out—we already did.
Mattresses and Box Springs
Free to drop off at any OC landfill listed above.
Most cities will pick them up curbside on scheduled days.
Mattress retailers must offer free haul-away with a new purchase.
Appliances (fridges, washers, dryers)
Drop at the landfill or call for a curbside pickup.
Most metal recyclers will pay you scrap value.
Remove refrigerants (like Freon) before drop-off or expect a small fee.
Furniture (couches, tables, dressers)
Curbside pickup or landfill drop-off.
Donation centers like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Orange County Rescue Mission will accept gently used pieces.
Electronics (TVs, monitors, computers, phones)
Goodwill and other thrift stores offer free e-waste recycling.
Specialized e-waste events are scheduled by OC Waste & Recycling.
Yard Waste
Drop off at any landfill with a greenery section:
- Valencia Greenery at Olinda Alpha
- Capistrano Greenery at Prima Deshecha
- Bee Canyon Greenery at Bowerman
They’ll mulch it or turn it into compost—free for residents.
Most homes also have weekly curbside yard waste collection in a green bin.
Local Recyclers and Scrap Yards
For metal, appliances, or extra junk that doesn’t qualify for city pickup, head to one of these spots:
- SA Recycling (Santa Ana) – Takes scrap metal, appliances, and cars.
- Sackin Metals (Huntington Beach) – Pays for clean scrap metal.
- OC Recycling (Santa Ana) – Electronics, metal, cardboard.
- Bruce Metal & Salvage (Santa Ana) – Quick in/out recycling.
- Sunwest Metals (Anaheim) – Heavy loads and large scrap.
- Active Metals Recycling (Anaheim) – Industrial and household metals.
Always call ahead. Some locations require certain items to be drained, cleaned, or disassembled.
Donation Pickup and Drop-Off
Skip the landfill when your stuff is still usable. These organizations give second life to your furniture, electronics, and housewares.
- Goodwill of Orange County – Multiple locations with drive-up drop-off.
- Salvation Army – Several thrift stores across the county.
- Orange County Rescue Mission (Tustin) – Helps house and support families.
- South County Outreach (Laguna Hills) – Accepts home goods and furniture.
- ReSupply & Easy Donation Pickup – Offer fast furniture pickup services through an app or website.
- Lugg (App) – Schedule large-item pickups with your phone. Great if you want your stuff donated, not dumped.
Costs and Tips
Landfill disposal of mattresses, yard waste, and appliances is free.
Donation centers charge nothing.
Scrap yards might pay you.
Fridges with Freon may have a $25 handling fee.
Curbside pickups are free but limited. Call early—they book up fast.
Quick Prep Tips
Label broken items clearly.
Remove doors from appliances to avoid accidents.
Coil cords and tape them to the appliance.
Bundle yard waste with string or twine.
Use gloves and safety gear when lifting.
Don’t dump anything at a site without permission—fines are steep.
OC Landfill Hours & Addresses (as of 2025)
- Olinda Alpha Landfill – 1942 Valencia Ave, Brea – Mon–Sat, 7am–4pm
- Frank R. Bowerman Landfill – 11002 Bee Canyon Rd, Irvine – Mon–Sat, 7am–4pm
- Prima Deshecha Landfill – 32250 Avenida La Pata, SJC – Mon–Sat, 7am–4pm
Bring your driver’s license or utility bill to prove you live in OC. They’ll weigh you in and out for larger loads.
|
Location |
Address |
Hours |
Items Accepted |
|
1942 Valencia Ave, Brea |
Monday – Saturday 9AM-4PM |
Mattresses, appliances, yard waste, metal, general waste |
|
|
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano |
Monday – Saturday 9AM-4PM |
Mattresses, appliances, yard waste, metal, general waste |
|
|
11002 Bee Canyon Access Rd, Irvine |
Monday – Saturday 9AM-4PM |
Mattresses, appliances, yard waste, metal, general waste |
|
|
1804 W 5th St, Santa Ana |
M–F 8–4 Sa 8–12 |
Scrap metal, appliances, junk vehicles |
|
|
15201 Transistor Ln, Huntington Beach |
M–F 7–4 |
Scrap metal |
|
|
1601 E Edinger Ave, Santa Ana |
M–F 8–5 Sa 8–3 |
Metal, cardboard, electronics |
|
|
920 E 6th St, Santa Ana |
M–Su 8–4:45 |
Metal, CRV cans/beverage containers |
|
|
1150 N Anaheim Blvd |
M–F 8–4 Sa 8–2 |
Scrap metal |
|
|
1442 N Red Gum St |
M–F 8–4:30 Sa 8–2:30 |
Metal |
|
|
1017 E S St |
M–F 8–4 |
Furniture, household items (call first) |
|
|
23461 Ridge Route #D, Laguna Hills |
11–4 (M–Sa) |
Furniture, home goods |
|
|
Service Area: OC |
Varies |
Furniture, clothing, household items |
|
|
Service Area: OC |
Varies |
Furniture and household items |
|
|
Service Area: OC |
Varies |
Bulky item pickup for donation |
Final Tip: Share This Guide
Whether you’re moving, decluttering, or helping your parents clean out their garage—this is your master guide. Bookmark it, share it, or print it out and keep it in your truck.
If you need a hand hauling, you know where to find us.
– Just a Guy and His Truck