
What Maryville Residents Need to Know: Can You Throw a Mattress in a Dumpster?
Dumpsters are a great way to clear out the junk you no longer need—but even dumpster rental companies and landfills have rules on what you can toss. Things like hazardous waste, batteries, and certain household appliances are off-limits due to safety and environmental concerns.
But what about mattresses? Can you throw a mattress in a dumpster? If not, is mattress recycling an option? At first glance, mattresses seem simple to get rid of. But mattress disposal? It’s surprisingly tricky.
Can You Throw a Mattress in a Dumpster
There is no specific law against using dumpsters to discard mattresses. Still, due to their large size, high weight, and difficulty compacting or recycling, many roll-off dumpster providers refuse to take them. Therefore, it is vital to thoroughly research the companies you can use to find the ones that will take beds.
Even among those who do take them, there are likely to be caveats
Keep these limitations in mind when you’re figuring out how to toss your old mattress. But here’s the thing—you won’t encounter any of those issues when you work with Momentum Dumpsters, the best dumpster rental company in Maryville, Tennessee. We handle mattress disposal—and everything else—the right way. You load it up, and we take care of the rest with fast, eco-friendly service you can count on.
Alternatives to dumpsters are available to you. You can employ a junk removal service to take your bed, or even donate it to a charity or recycling center.
But what about mattresses? Can you throw a mattress in a dumpster? If not, is mattress recycling an option? At first glance, mattresses seem simple to get rid of. But mattress disposal? It’s surprisingly tricky.
Can You Throw a Mattress in a Dumpster
There is no specific law against using dumpsters to discard mattresses. Still, due to their large size, high weight, and difficulty compacting or recycling, many roll-off dumpster providers refuse to take them. Therefore, it is vital to thoroughly research the companies you can use to find the ones that will take beds.
Even among those who do take them, there are likely to be caveats
- Extra Fees: Most commonly, dumpster companies that take beds charge consumers additional fees for the trouble of doing so.
- Inability to Recycle: Many companies lack the resources or equipment to recycle mattresses, so they simply dispose of the ones they get instead of using the material to create something new. If you would rather your bed be discarded in an eco-friendly manner, dumpsters are likelyn’t your best option..
Keep these limitations in mind when you’re figuring out how to toss your old mattress. But here’s the thing—you won’t encounter any of those issues when you work with Momentum Dumpsters, the best dumpster rental company in Maryville, Tennessee. We handle mattress disposal—and everything else—the right way. You load it up, and we take care of the rest with fast, eco-friendly service you can count on.
Alternatives to dumpsters are available to you. You can employ a junk removal service to take your bed, or even donate it to a charity or recycling center.

Why Are Mattresses Difficult to Dispose Of
From a disposal standpoint, there are many reasons that mattresses are hard to deal with.
- Size: Beds are big and often weigh more than the things landfills and dumpster companies typically handle. This makes them harder to transport than other trash and takes up much more space.
- Non-Compactable: Placing a mattress in a trash compactor comes with several risks. Due to their material composition, mattresses are unlikely to compress evenly in a compactor. In fact, because of the bulkiness and rigidity of most beds, they could damage or outright destroy a trash compactor.
- Springs: Mattresses with springs inside, called innerspring mattresses, pose an extra risk to landfills and recycling centers. The springs can get jammed in the machinery and cause issues.
- Slow to Break Down: Many of the materials in beds, such as foam or synthetic latex, can take a long time to decompose, combining to make beds non-biodegradable.
Can You Recycle a Mattress
Yes, you can recycle mattresses! Repurpose the metal, foam, wood, and fabric into mulch, carpet, or scrap metal. However, many recycling centers won’t accept them due to handling challenges. Check local centers before recycling to avoid any inconvenience.If no center near you accepts full mattresses, disassemble them yourself. Use a box cutter or knife (with proper hand protection) to separate the parts for recycling.
Momentum Dumpsters offers the best dumpster rentals in Sweetwater, Tennessee, and beyond! We offer a variety of dumpsters in whatever size you need. Contact us now to rent or to have any questions answered!