Mattress Disposal in Chattanooga, TN: All Your Options

Option 1: City of Chattanooga Bulk Trash Pickup

The City of Chattanooga bulk trash pickup program accepts mattresses and box springs from city residents. This is often the lowest-cost route for eligible homeowners.

How to request a pickup:

• Use the CHA 311 app
• Submit through the online 311 portal
• Call 311 directly

Items must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of your scheduled collection week.

Important limits to know:

• Maximum 12 collection events per property per 12-month period
• Landlords and property managers are prohibited from using this service -- it applies to city residents only
• Only works for properties within City of Chattanooga limits

Option 2: City Refuse Collection Centers

All three city refuse collection centers accept mattresses. This option works if you have a qualifying vehicle and valid residency documents.

Locations:

• 4276 Airport Road
• 4500 North Access Road
• 1400 West 57th Street

Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm

Requirements:

• Valid Tennessee driver's license with a City of Chattanooga address
• Valid Hamilton County vehicle tags
• Standard pickup truck or smaller -- no dump bodies, tandem axle trailers, or commercial vehicles

Visit limits apply: 8 bags per visit, 12 visits per calendar year. Mattresses count toward this limit. If you have already used your 12 annual visits, you will be turned away.

Option 3: Donation (Not Usually Possible)

Donation is the first instinct for many people with a mattress in good condition, but local organizations almost universally refuse them:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Does not accept mattresses
• The Samaritan Center (Ooltewah): Does not accept mattresses
• Salvation Army: Does not accept mattresses

Most charitable organizations refuse mattresses due to hygiene concerns and regulatory requirements around reselling used bedding. In most cases, donation is simply not an option for mattresses in Chattanooga.

Option 4: Private Junk Removal

A private junk removal professional will pick up your mattress regardless of whether you are a homeowner, landlord, or business. There are no annual limits, no vehicle restrictions, and no city residency requirement.

What to expect on pricing:

• General pricing starts at $95 to $125 for one or two mattresses
• Junk King Chattanooga charges a $10 per mattress surcharge on top of base job pricing
• Always get a firm quote before the crew arrives

Pros transport mattresses to licensed disposal or recycling facilities. Mattress recycling breaks down the components -- foam, springs, fabric -- for reuse and keeps the material out of the landfill.

When a Private Hauler Is the Only Practical Choice

For many Chattanooga residents and nearly all landlords, a private junk removal pro is the most practical path. That includes when:

• You are a landlord clearing a rental unit -- city programs do not apply to you (see the landlord junk removal guide)
• You have already used your 12 city pickup allowances for the year
• You need same-day or urgent service
• You have multiple mattresses to remove at once
• You do not have access to a pickup truck or other vehicle large enough to transport a mattress to a refuse center

For other large item removal questions, see the appliance removal guide and the city pickup vs. junk removal comparison.