Need to get rid of an old mattress in Merced? A broken fridge? Here’s what to do
The holiday season often brings a wave of new gifts, new gadgets and, for some households, new appliances.
If you’re planning to gift someone a kitchen upgrade or treat yourself to a new washer and dryer set, the city of Merced offers an easy way to get rid of the old ones.
The city makes it easy for single-family households to get rid of large items at its bulky item drop-off site.
“The city of Merced’s bulky item drop-off site was established to aid our residential service customers with bulky item disposal throughout the year,” the city said on its website.
Here’s what to know about accepted items, drop-off days and times, and where to find the drop-off site:
Will Merced take my old mattress? Broken appliances?
The city of Merced has a drop-off site where residents can take big items that won’t fit in their regular trash bin, the city said on its website.
This service is only for people who live in Merced and have city residential trash service.
Businesses and commercial customers cannot use this drop-off site, the city said on its website.
The city will accept the following items at the bulky item drop-off site:
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Up to five tires from passenger vechiles and pickup trucks
- Metal scraps and appliances
- Propane and helium tanks with the valve removed
- E-waste, such as computers
What bulky items will the city not accept?
The city will not accept the following:
- General household waste
- Green waste
- Household hazardous waste, such as batteries
- Any liquids, including cleaning supplies
- Paint
Where can I drop-off old household appliances in Merced?
The drop-off site is located at the corner of North Highway 59 and Yosemite Avenue in Merced.
When are drop-off times?
The Merced drop-off site is open noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. to noon.
Hours can change based on operational needs, the city said on its website.
The site is also closed on the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
What do I need to bring to the drop-off site?
When you arrive at the Merced drop-off site, you will need to check in with city staff first.
Along with the items you’re dropping off, you must bring two forms of proof that you live in Merced, according to the city website.
You must bring a driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
You’ll also need to bring a recent bill or statement with your name and address on it, such as your city of Merced water bill or a credit card statement.
“City staff will check the items and direct you to each station needed,” the city said on its website.
This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
