Can You Put a Mattress in a Dumpster?

Mattresses are one of the most common single-item questions we get, usually from someone mid-cleanout staring at a bed frame they cannot fit in a car. The answer is yes, with one caveat about space.

Can I Put a Mattress in a Dumpster?

Yes. Mattresses, box springs, futons and bed frames all go in a standard bin. There is no restriction and no extra handling fee.

What matters is that a mattress is enormously bulky for what it weighs. A queen set — mattress plus box spring — occupies roughly a quarter of a 10 yard bin. Two sets and you are at half.

How Do I Load a Mattress Efficiently?

Flat on the bottom, first thing in. A mattress laid flat becomes a floor you can stack on top of. A mattress leaned against the side wall wastes the space behind it and stops anything else from sitting square.

Do not cut it up. Cutting a mattress produces foam and springs that blow around and do not compact any better than the intact mattress did.

What If I Only Have One or Two?

A dumpster is more than you need. Urban Recycling at 3341 N Cascade Ave accepts mattresses and box springs directly — no appointment needed, and they take a range of other bulky items at the same time.

Rent the bin when the mattress is part of a larger cleanout. If it is the only thing you are getting rid of, drive it.

What Size Bin Do I Need?

Our size guide covers this in more detail, and furniture disposal covers the rest of the bedroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an extra fee for a mattress?

No. Mattresses go in like anything else — no surcharge, no separate handling.

How much space does a mattress take up?

A queen set runs about a quarter of a 10 yard bin. Plan around volume, not weight.

Should I cut up the mattress first?

No. It does not save space and it makes a mess. Lay it flat on the bottom of the bin instead.

Where else can I take a mattress in Colorado Springs?

Urban Recycling at 3341 N Cascade Ave takes them without an appointment.