Why Keeping Mattresses Out Of The Landfill Is Key
A large household item, mattresses take up a lot of room in landfills. That alone is a problem, but processing them in landfills is an issue as well.
Landfills use trash compactors to minimize the space occupied by trash brought into the landfill. But mattresses don’t compact well, and sometimes, mattress springs pop out and cause damage to the equipment.
At many landfills, you’ll pay higher fees for dropping off a mattress. They are typically classified as special waste with a higher fee than other types of trash as well. It’s in your best interest, financially and environmentally, to avoid taking your old mattress there.
Recycle Your Old Mattress
If you cannot donate your used mattress to a charity organization, recycling it is another way to keep it from the landfill and get a second life out of its components. Many mattresses consist of at least 75% recyclable materials.
However, you can’t simply place a mattress in a curbside recycling bin. Instead, you’ll need to call upon a mattress recycling service to break down the bed into its recyclable parts for you, then donate them to the appropriate recycling centers.
Common mattress materials that are recyclable include:
- Foam
- Metal coils
- Wood frames
Mattress recycling companies can repurpose these materials in various ways. For example, the wood from box springs can become mulch or animal bedding. Meanwhile, the fabrics and foams can find a second life in pillows.
Keep in mind that recycling your mattress probably won’t be free. You’ll need to pay the recycling company for the labor and time involved in breaking down your mattress. You may also need to pay to pick up your mattress if you don’t want to drop it off yourself.
Either way, recycling your mattress is an eco-friendly alternative to simply throwing it in a landfill.
Hire A Junk Removal Service
You might need to hire a junk removal service if local municipalities wont take your mattress.1-800-GOT-JUNK say that they try to recycle or donate whenever they can, so you can consider trying them out since it seems like they understand proper mattress disposal. You can book a no-obligation appointment with them here.
However, try not to use this option unless its really necessary because most junk removal services will often just haul your mattress right off to the landfill themselves.
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Option : Throw It Away
If youve exhausted all your options and are unable to recycle, donate, resell, or repurpose your old mattress, the last option is to throw it out. However, that doesnt mean leaving it next to your dumpster. Many cities and states have specific rules and regulations in place around throwing away mattresses. Several cities dont allow you to leave a mattress in the trash doing so can result in a ticket or fine. Some areas will allow you to throw out a mattress in the Dumpster however, there may be specific rules around it. For example, some cities may require you to wrap the mattress in a plastic mattress bag. Its always best to check the regulations of your area before throwing out your mattress. If you live in an area that doesnt allow you to throw out your mattress with your regular trash, there are a couple of other options available.
Throwing out your mattress should be your last option. However, if you have to do it, make sure to do it responsibly.
What Options Are Available For Mattress Disposal
There are a number of ways to dispose of a mattress. Depending on where you live, some options may be easier than others, and some may be free while others will require you to pay.
In some cases, you will be getting rid of a mattress because you purchased a new one, in which case you can ask the new mattresss retailer if they offer a service to dispose of your old mattress.
Its also a good idea to research local options for large trash pickup, recycling, donation, or even creative reuse. Heres what you should know about five different mattress disposal options.
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How To Dispose Of Your Old Mattress For Free
Depending on where you live in Victoria, you will either havethe option to leave your old mattress on your nature strip during a localcouncil annual hard rubbish collection period, or you can make an appointmentfor an annual hard rubbish collection. This municipal service is paid for withcouncil rates paid by local property owners. Contact your local councilfor specific details on their hard rubbish pickup service, which variesdepending on the council.
As explained earlier, just over half of mattresses sent towaste transfer stations are recycled in 2019.
Mattress Disposal In The Greater Southern California Area
If you are outside of San Diego, head to to find a mattress recycling location near you. By recycling your old mattress, you reduce your environmental footprint on the earth. Knowing you made an environmentally responsible choice will definitely help you get a good nights sleep on your new mattress!
If youre still looking for a new one, browse Fine Furniture San Diegos mattress collection today.
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Option : Hire A Disposal Pro
In the end, it seems like a lot of work and a huge hassle to get rid of your old, used and unwanted mattress. And the last thing you want to do is dump your mattress on the curb, in an empty parking lot, or behind a local business after hours.
Now you can save time, effort and the environment when getting rid of your old mattresses. This means it is time to hire a Mattress Removal Pro to do the work for you.
Hire A Disposal Company For Mattress Disposal
Research your options before jumping into one. A reputable company will take the time to ask you questions and find out which disposal option will best serve you.
They should also be able to offer you a quote or estimate. Make sure to choose a company that is transparent about the price range you can expect, and that is genuinely interested in finding you the best possible deal.
Also make sure you work with a company that is familiar with residential disposal, as a less informed one could cause you to rack up fines if you do not take the proper steps.
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Other Ways To Dispose Of A Mattress
We wouldnt recommend these ways, as not only are some of these damaging to the environment, some are antisocial and illegal.
Although a couple of Which? members said they disposed of their last mattress by burning it, we dont advise it. Not only is a mattress fire hard to control, but the fumes released by the fire could also be damaging to both you and the environment.
If you happen to be renting a skip and dont mind your mattress contributing to a worsening landfill problem, then you can get rid of your old mattress using a skip.
But you should never dispose of your mattress by putting it in someone elses skip or, worse yet, simply abandoning it at the side of the road. As well as being antisocial and environmentally harmful, fly tipping is illegal and can result in a large fine.
Now that you know how to dispose of your old mattress, find out how to buy the best n to replace it with.
Mattress Fabrics & Fibers
A number of renewable plant and animal fibers including cotton, wool, silk, sisal and coconut fibers are used in mattresses. Another renewable fiber is rayon, which is made from wood and other cellulosic plant fibers. Other textiles and fibers used in mattresses are made from recycled materials.
Recycled Fibers: You can then donate these fibers to clothing stores, thrift shops or art communities. These fibers can also be reused as insulation or filters.
Get Creative with Fibers: You can learn to sew and make clothing and kitchen towels. A very popular type of art is called fiber art that would be a great way to use these materials. View these fiber art products on Etsy to get an idea of different art that has been made with fibers.
**Disassembling a mattress can be dangerous due to sharp objects. Be careful and proceed with caution.
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Option : Sell Your Mattress
If your mattress is lightly used and still in good condition, why not try to sell it? You could not only put the extra income towards your new mattress, but you could also be helping out someone that cant afford a brand new mattress. Additionally, you are making a smart monetary decision by getting a return on your initial investment. There are plenty of ways to find a new home for your old mattress that take little to no work and zero investment on your end.
Craigslist is a popular classified online posting website and is available in nearly every city in the United States. It is fairly easy to post an ad in your local area for free by offering to sell your gently used mattress and anyone interested in buying can get in touch with you through the site. Make sure to take an attractive picture to entice buyers and make sure you have someone with you when the customer visits for safety!
Facebook Marketplace is another great way to post your mattress or other furniture items for sale. On Marketplace, you can find local people looking to buy a used mattress at a cheaper cost than purchasing a brand new one. You can also make the post public and it will be seen by others in your area and in your larger network of mutual friends and family. Make sure to upload a nice picture and respond quickly for faster selling.
Why Does Recycling Your Mattress Matter
Mattresses are made of recyclable products that can all be put to better use. When you take your mattress to a landfill site, it simply gets dumped in the ground with the rest of the rubbish. We send an estimated 167,000 tonnes of mattresses to landfill each year in the UK. Thats the same weight as roughly 30,365 elephants! Recycling is also a lot more beneficial for the environment as it reuses items in a sustainable way.
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Plenty Of Factors Affect The Quality Of Your Sleep And Rest
Everything from leaving a light on to facing added stress at work can prevent sleep from having actual restorative effects, even if you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.
While there is no disputing that many things contribute to sleep quality, perhaps the biggest factor is sleep environment. This means sleeping somewhere that is a comfortable temperature with quality bedding and, of course, a good mattress.
If you often find yourself waking up and feeling like you have not slept at all, it may be time to invest in a new mattress. So once you have decided to update your mattress, what should you do with the old one?
Let’s examine the best ways to address mattress disposal.
Take The Mattress Apart Yourself And Recycle
If you aren’t able to find a recycling or donation site for your old mattress, there’s always a chance you can take it apart and recycle the components yourself. For example, you could take out the metal springs or coils in the mattress and take them in for scrap recycling , or you could take the foam in to be shredded in order to make new memory foam or other products. The wooden frame as well as any natural or synthetic fabrics used may also be recyclable.
Before you start hacking up your mattress, it’s probably a good idea to consult a DIY site to get full details on how to disassemble your mattress. It’s no easy task, and the pros can show you how to streamline the process.
Creative repurposing can turn old mattresses into new furniture, holiday decorations or even works of art.
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The Complete Mattress Disposal Guide
Wondering how to get rid of that old mattress? Despite being bulky and heavy, there are several convenient ways to dispose of mattresses, including renting a dumpster, donating and recycling it.
A gently-used mattress can be donated, but if yours is old and worn out, youâll need to throw it away. Weâve compiled the best mattress and box spring disposal options so you can find the most efficient method for your needs.
Council Collections Book A Bulky Item Collection From Your Council
If you are a householder, instead of driving your mattress to the tip, one alternative is to book a council bulky waste collection from your home. All councils provide this service to their residents but prices and service levels vary considerably. For example, Southampton Council charges £10 for a single mattress, £20 for a double and £30 for anything bigger than a double whereas Greenwich Council charges £10.30 for any size. In general, while this service is rarely free, it is subsidised so will normally be cheaper than a private waste removal service. However, a private service will usually be able to collect your mattress a lot quicker than your council and also take a wider range of waste types at the same time.
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Option : Repurpose It
If you love to DIY, break down the mattress and box springs yourself. Mattresses contain a variety of useful materials including steel, polyurethane foam, memory foam, latex foam, natural fibers, wooden parts, nails, screws, and much more. You can use the materials for a variety of purposes including:
- Recycling the parts: Remove the steel parts and springs from your mattress and sell them to local scrap yards and scrap metal recyclers in your area. If your mattress includes cotton, wool, silk, polyester, or rayon, those materials can be recycled as well.
- Home projects: The foams and cotton in your old mattress can be used for several things around your home. They can be shredded and used as carpet padding, insulation, filters, seat cushions, pet bedding, pillows, and more.
- Gardening: Break down the wooden parts of your mattress and use them for gardening. When shredded, the wood works great for lawn mulch. You can also use the wooden slats to create a compost bin.
- Arts and crafts: The fabric that covers your mattress can make a great DIY rug and memory foam padding can be cut into small sizes and used as cleaning sponges. There are also screws and nails in your mattress that can be used for arts and crafts.
- : The coils and springs of your mattress can be melted down and made into various objects such as plant and candle holders, ornaments, bird feeders, and much more.
When in doubt, check out for even more ways you can repurpose your old mattress.
Everything You Need To Know About Mattress Disposal And Recycling
Mattress Disposal and Recycling
When you buy a new mattress, youve got to dispose of your old one responsibly. If you dont, you could receive a fine and/or face prosecution for fly-tipping. Ideally, when you get rid of your mattress, you shouldnt just assign it to a gloomy future as a landfill, but, instead, take it to a recycling centre or arrange for the local council or a mattress collection company to come for it. Hopefully, from there, it will go on to serve a more environmentally friendly purpose.
It would be best if you replaced your mattress every 7 to 10 years, maybe a little earlier, depending on the mattresss quality. If your mattress is past its best and you need a new one, this guide is for you so you can dispose of your old one, recycle it and stay within the law while you do it.
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Fly Tipping And Illegal Recycling Mattress Disposal And Recycling
Fly-tipping is a crime that involves depositing waste on land that doesnt have a licence to accept it. This could be an old mattress, some bin bags or some electrical items in the street. The tipping may be on a larger scale, consisting of vast amounts of construction waste or demolition waste and occur on different land types. Either way, its illegal. Below are some shocking statistics on fly-tipping:
- Statistics from 2016/17 show that councils in England dealt with more than a million fly-tipping incidents. The cost was staggering. They spent around £58 million clearing up the mess.
- In 2017/18, local authorities had to address around 998,000 incidents.
- In 2018/19, local authorities encountered more than a million cases again. This is an increase of 8% compared to 2017/18.
- The Guardian online reports that illegal dumping has increased by 50% since 2012.
Clearly, fly-tipping is becoming a problem. The pandemic has exacerbated it. During the pandemic, some councils have reported an increase in the number of fly-tipping incidents. Coronavirus-related restrictions meant they had to reduce refuse collection services at some points.
Taking The Mattress To The Landfill
If your is able to transport your mattress themselves, you may want to take it directly to the landfill rather than waiting for a trash pickup service to collect it. Your local landfill or dump may charge a fee to accept the mattress.
Pros
You may be able to take a mattress to the landfill on your own time, rather than waiting for a scheduled pickup appointment or bulk trash day.
Cons
You need to transport the mattress themselves, which will typically require a large vehicle. You may have to pay a fee for the landfill to accept the mattress.
Additionally, this is not a great option from an environmental standpoint. Landfills are already overflowing with waste, and mattresses contribute to that problem. According to a Seattle Times article, mattresses can cause issues for landfill equipment during garbage compaction: Mattresses dont compact well. Even worse, the mattress springs pop out and get tangled in the equipment, often damaging it.
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