Yes, you can put a mattress in a dumpster, but in 2026, some landfills have started charging a fee for them. Due to new state laws and landfill equipment issues, mattresses are now considered "special waste" in many major metro areas. While most roll-off companies will accept them, sometimes there will be a per-unit surcharge ranging from $40 to $150 per mattress.
Mattresses are the "kryptonite" of waste management. They don't crush, their springs tangle in landfill compactors, and they take up massive amounts of "airspace." Because of this:
Pro Tip: Don't bury the mattress. Mattresses don't compress. If you put a mattress at the very bottom of the dumpster and pile heavy debris on top, it creates a "pocket" of trapped air. This can make your dumpster look full when it isn't, or worse, cause the load to shift dangerously during pickup. Always place mattresses at the top of the load. This makes it easy for the driver to see and easy for the landfill to pull it out for recycling if required.
At Trash Daddy, we service multiple states, mostly out west. Below we will cover the cities in our areas where the landfills require an extra charge for mattresses in a dumpster (as of 2026). If you want to put a mattress in a dumpster in any of these cities below, check with us to find out exactly how much extra it will be. Typically it's $50 - $150, depending on the area.
If you plan to put a mattress in a dumpster rental in one of these areas, just reach out to us first. Depending on the area, it could affect the sizes available and the price.
The good news is you can throw almost anything in a dumpster! There are very few items that cannot go in a dumpster. But, if you need more information on that, check out our prohibited items page.
Here are some of the most common items that people throw in a dumpster rental.
Landscaping and yard waste, remodeling debris like drywall, wood, flooring, tile, carpet, shingles, deck material like wood or trex, concrete, dirt, rock, furniture, appliances, and general household trash. And much more.
So, the answer to the question "can you put a mattress in a dumpster" is YES. In most areas it's not a problem at all. But, in a few cities, which we named above, due to landfill issues it requires an extra fee. A roll off dumpster rental is one of the most convenient ways to get rid of mattresses and other household items that you can't just set out for your local trash guy anymore. If you have any questions, we are dumpster rental experts at Trash Daddy. We would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading! 👍
