Whats Involved In Throwing Out A Mattress In Nyc
If your mattress is under 4 ft. x 3 ft. in size, you can simply bag it and put it out on the curb for collection. You dont need an appointment. However, if its larger than that, you need to schedule with the DSNY to have it picked up.
Next, you bag up the big unwieldy mattress, and the box springs too, if thats your plan, and lug them both down to the curb, only after 4pm on the evening prior to the scheduled pickup date.
You must also ensure that the mattress is not placed in a way that impedes sidewalk pedestrian traffic, or that allows it to stick out into the street, or that imposes on neighbors properties. Failing to comply with one of the requirements, whether its improperly bagging the mattress, or placing it on the curb wrong, can cause you to get multiple citations and fines from the city.
Repurpose The Memory Foam
There are many ways to repurpose your old memory foam topper instead of throwing it away or dealing with having it recycled.
- Create pet beds for your dog or cat
- Place it on an old bed frame and make a trundle bed for your kids
- Cut it up and make pillows or stuff saggy couch cushions
If your foam mattress topper isnt in terrible shape, it might be worth holding on to. Any overnight guests you have in the future would likely appreciate the added comfort of plush memory foam to their bed. Especially after a long stretch of traveling.
Some people have even been known to use them to cover plants in the colder months or to cut the mattress pad up into rags for cleaning.
If youre about as crafty as a potato or just dont have the time to deal with the thing, using a is likely going to be the easiest way to get rid of your old mattress pad.
Set The Mattress Outside Before The Team Arrives
Now that you already know how to dispose of a mattress properly in NYC and have scheduled an appointment for your old mattress to be collected, be sure to leave your mattress at the curb or alley between 4 PM and midnight the evening before your appointment day. If your mattress is not out at time of collection, you will need to schedule a new appointment.
Take note that the DSNY team is not supposed to enter your home or ring your bell on the appointment day. You will have to be the one to take your old mattress out. Also, if your old mattress is not fully sealed, the DSNY team will not collect this and you may still be given a $100 fine.
Based on the Size, an Appointment Must be Made Beforehand
In terms of mattress disposal, New York City DSNY specifies the minimum size requirement for the collection or removal of old mattresses, which is 4 feet by 3 feet. Given this guideline on how to get rid of mattress in NYC, the following mattress sizes will require the owners to schedule an appointment for pick up:
Twin King California King
All the mattress sizes listed above are generally larger than 4 feet by 3 feet. However, take note that the dimensions for these sizes may vary.
It is important that you measure the size of your mattress before you request an appointment from the DSNY. Anything smaller than the dimensions specified above can be disposed of along with other garbage.
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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.
How To Dispose Of A Mattress: Free And Paid Options
These are your options for getting rid of an old mattress, from recycling programs to trash pickup.
KJ Callihan
KJ Callihan is a freelance writer with a background in mental health and education. Her writing often covers product reviews and lists, animals and pet care, food and hospitality, health, wellness, and culture. When she isn’t crafting the perfect sentence, you may find her bingeing true crime documentaries, browsing mid-Michigan farmer’s markets, and tasting her son’s latest homemade cuisine
So it’s time to say goodbye to your worn out old mattress, but you aren’t sure how to dispose of it. While most of us would rather not add to the nearly 20 million mattresses that pile up in landfills every year, the alternatives may be trickier than they appear.
Recycling or donating mattresses seems like a simple enough endeavor, but the task can actually be quite challenging. Per the New York Times, some charities aren’t allowed to accept mattresses due to concerns over bed bugs or health department regulations, certain recycling programs have become less profitable and therefore less available, and many states don’t have recycling programs at all.
Plus, since foam fluctuates wildly in its profitability, some of the popular online mattress brands offering 100+ night trial periods don’t always stick to their promise of recycling or donating returned mattresses — a claim that potential customers may view as a good reason for purchasing.
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Cutting Off Access To Your Bed
Part of the issue is not just that you have bed bugs in your bed, but also how they got there in the first place. Bed bugs cant jump or fly, they can only crawl. That means they need to climb to gain access to you, and their routes are limited to the legs of the bed frame, headboard, footboard, and walls that are in direct contact with the bed.
To cut off their access points, you need to position your bed so that it stands slightly away from the wall an inch is enough. You also need to use ClimbUp Interceptors to elevate the legs of your bed and trap any bed bugs in a talcum-lined pitfall. Once a professional pest control company has carried out the treatment steps, and isolated your bug-free bed, youll be able to sleep without fear of being bitten. The Climb Ups will not only keep the pesky bugs out of your bed but will also help you monitor the problem and determine if the treatment protocol is working.
Remove The Top And Bottom Layers
The next step is simple but necessary, and it shouldnt take you too long. When youre removing the top and bottom layers, its important to keep an eye out for any staples. These are used to keep the fabric on the outer layer bound and secure.
Take off the fabric until you see foam or cotton padding. Once this is achieved, gently slip off the top layer until its completely off.
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Find A Specialized Recycling Program To Get Rid Of A Mattress
If youre not able to sell or donate your mattress, check with your city to see what your options are to get rid of a mattress. Many municipalities offer recycling programs themselves, or can point you in the direction of a local recycler. Some cities will even pick up your used mattress curbside and dispose of it appropriately.
Nobody Should Put A Mattress In The Dumpster
Just because you are able to fit something in a dumpster, that doesnt necessarily mean you can. And even if youre allowed to throw some things away in a dumpster, that doesnt always mean you should.
Because of safety concerns and local regulations, there are many types of junk and other waste that you cannot dispose of by throwing them in a dumpster.
If theres an item youre just not sure about whether or not you can dispose of it in a dumpster, check with your local public works department for a list of items that are generally prohibited.
In the meantime, were going to take a look at the things you can and cannot dispose of in a dumpster. Well also answer whether or not you can throw a mattress in a dumpster and how you can find an even easier option for mattress disposal.
Need to get rid of an old mattress? BOOK A PICKUP
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Treat The Vomit Stain
To get the vomit stain off your mattress, try these remedies:
- Prepare a mix of water and white vinegar in equal parts moisten the piece of cloth and apply to the stain
- Add some dish soap to the warm water and put the do-it-yourself solution on the vomit stain with a damp, well-wrung cloth. Go over the stain with a cloth moistened with sparkling water to make a sort of rinse
- Consider using a specific product to be used according to the instructions.
In general, to remove stains from the mattress, do not wet it and use a white cloth to avoid dirtying it.
The Best Mattress Services Nationwide
Whenever you need a mattress broken down or removed, save your energy and let background checked professionals do the handiwork. Whether its carefully cutting the memory foam or hauling off your king mattress, youll know youre in good hands. For prices often 20 30% less than other junk haulers, schedule an affordable mattress removal service with Mattress Disposal Plus today.
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When Is It Time For A New Mattress
Over time, mattress materials break down from regular use. Worn mattresses have a visible sag and lack support.
Cheap mattresses may also break down within a year. Poor quality materials dont last and may result in a lumpy mattress.
If you wake with aches and pains that fade during the day, your bed may be the problem. If your current mattress is still under warranty, most companies will repair or replace it. But, if the bed is outside of the warranty, it might be time to buy a new mattress.
How Casper Can Help
One of the best things about Casper mattresses is that our limited warranty covers the full 10 years. So, youre guaranteed to have restful sleep for a full decade. We believe that improving the way the world sleeps also means improving our impact on the environment. Thats why we created a bedding recycling program called Resnooze & Recycle. If youre looking to get rid of your old bedding, all you have to do is follow three simple steps:
Its a win, win. If youre looking to buy a new mattress, Casper mattresses are specifically designed to last long-term, with comfort in mind.
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Contact Local Board Of Health Or Health Department
You can call your municipality or citys Board of Health or local Health Department and ask about any recycling programs they may sponsor. Many public works departments and local health boards have recycling programs that focus on recycling mattresses. This information can usually be found with a simple search, or by visiting you local governments website.
Replacing an old box spring?BOOK ONLINE
How Long Should A Mattress Last
According to Consumer Reports, theres no one-size-fits-all timeline for when you need to replace a mattress, but a good mattress can last around 10 years. A mattress that you have used consistently for seven years or more warrants an evaluation.
Your personal timeline for getting a new mattress will depend on a number of factors including how sensitive you are to changes in your mattress, whether you suffer from any health issues such as back pain, whether your sleeping situation changes , and whether you prefer a soft, firm, or bouncy-feeling mattress.
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How To Dispose Of A Foam Mattress Topper
Do you have an old foam mattress topper and you want to dispose of it but dont know how?
Whether your mattress topper stopped providing you with enough comfort and support or you just want to upgrade to a more luxurious topper, you want to make sure you are disposing of your old mattress topper in the most responsible way.
So, what do you do with it?
Here we have shared some of the best ways to get rid of your old foam mattress topper that are good for the environment and your wallet.
How To Throw Away A Mattress
If none of the above options works for you, your last resort would be to throw away the mattress. This option is best suited for mattresses that are no longer usable, are excessively dirty, or have experienced bed-bug contamination. If your mattress is in an unsafe or unsanitary condition, disposing of it can reduce the risk of spreading this contamination elsewhere.
While throwing your mattress away may seem like the easiest option, you’ll still need to follow specific procedures to dispose of the bed properly. For example, you may not realize that dumping a mattress is illegal in most cities. You can’t simply place your mattress in a dumpsterdoing so could leave you with up to $10,000 in fines or even incarceration.
Instead, you’ll need to dispose of your mattress in one of four ways:
- Taking it to a landfill
- Setting the bed out on heavy trash day
- Breaking it down and throwing it away in garbage bags
Keep in mind that the availability of each of these options depends on your local waste removal regulations. You’ll want to be sure you understand your city’s policies before proceeding.
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Glass Plastic & Metal
- All clean plastic containers labeled with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 symbol. Considered trash if not.
- All clean plastic food containers- with 1,2,3,4,5,6,or 7 symbol. Considered Trash if not.
- Glass bottles/ jars – No broken or other glass such as light bulbs, window or auto glass, dishes, glasses, Pyrex.
- Loose containers only – no plastic bags.
- Metal cans, clean aluminum foil and aerosol cans – No paint cans.
- No cartons – Considered trash.
- No motor oil or chemical containers.
- No Styrofoam. Considered trash.
- Place in a recycling bin or another container . Please place separate from trash.
Cut Off The Side Panels
Removing the side panels is an important step that could prove to be rather difficult. If you are new to this process, you might want to be extra careful, as you could end up hurting yourself. With that being said, remove the sides with your hands once the material has been cut/ripped enough to remove the binding cords and then take off the sides themselves.
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How To Dispose Of A Mattress Topper Or Pad
Now that you know the environmental issues with throwing that old mattress pad into a landfill, it might be time to think about some alternatives to trashing that old topper.
Instead of throwing them out, you can:
- Recycle the foam mattress topper
- Repurpose memory foam mattress toppers
- Donate mattress toppers
If You Set Your Old Furniture Out On The Curb Or By A Dumpster It Wont Be Picked Up
Can you collect my old. Check your mattress warranty to see if your mattress can be bought back or collected by your retailer. The mattress stewardship program began on may 1, 2015.
Unfortunately, the most obvious solution isnât always the best one. Remember, mattresses should only be thrown in a landfill as a last resort. 26.each year, about 375,000 mattresses and box springs, weighing more than 10,000 tons, are disposed of in king county, according to the 2019 waste characterization study.each piece takes up about one cubic yard of landfill space.
25.how to dispose of furniture. To help cut down on waste, mattress owners should look for ways to properly dispose of their mattress. 28.an old or broken mattress.
Find creative uses for your mattress. You can find a local licensed collector in london through our sister business, the rubbish removal marketplace lovejunk. However, even if you are allowed to throw away your old mattress topper on trash day, you may want to think again whether throwing it away like this is really the best way of disposing of it.
A mattress recycling service will charge you, most places charge between $50 and $150 for removal, but they will safely dispose of your mattress and box spring. Typically, you should replace your mattress every 10 years. Arrange for your old mattress or bed to be collected from anywhere in the uk with prices starting from just £24.
Image Source : https://www.nestbedding.com/blogs/news/7-things-to-do-with-an-old-mattress
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What Cannot Be Put In A Dumpster
Even though disposal regulations are a little different in every city or municipality, there are certain items that 9 and a half times out of 10 just cant be thrown in a dumpster. This is usually because the items in question are considered hazardous waste or could damage the dumpster.
Below is a list of things that usually cant be thrown in a dumpster but that can be disposed of through your local recycling center or sanitation department.
- mattresses
- printer cartridges
- air conditioners
If you dont have the time to deal with hauling these items to your local landfill or transfer station, you can book a pickup with Mattress Disposal Plus and have them haul away your unwanted stuff and dispose of it for you in an eco-friendly way, usually through donation and recycling nearby.
As you probably noticed, mattresses are on the list of things you cant put in a dumpster. Thats because theyre hard to dispose of and can often contain bodily fluids, bed bugs, and other stuff that can be considered a biohazard.
A mattress has to be specially disposed of, so youll have to haul your old bed to the local landfill or recycling center if you need to get rid of it.
Another option is to have your old mattress picked up and disposed of properly by a junk removal company. These junk haulers are trained in properly disposing of bulky junk items such as an old mattress or couch and have access to equipment and resources that the common public does not.
