Choosing A New Mattress
When youre deciding what mattress is the right one for you, consider your lifestyle. First, consider what type of mattress do you want? Do you prefer foam? Latex? Spring? Next think about what size mattress is right for you. Do you sleep alone, or do you share your bed with a partner or furry friend? There are a lot of mattress choices out there, so check out our Mattress Buying Guide to help you get started.
Mattress Disposal: 10 Easy Methods
- Mattress Guides
- Mattress Disposal: 10 Easy Methods
We recently conducted a survey in which one of the questions included How would you dispose of an old mattress? Many people were unsure, while other answers were somewhat shocking. So, we thought perhaps its best to offer some advice on the dos and donts on the correct mattress disposal process.
Buying a mattress is the easy part, however, if youre replacing the old one youll almost certainly need to consider some kind of mattress disposal method to make way for your new one. There are plenty of options available, however, depending on where in the world you are some services may not be viable solutions. Please read below for some helpful tips, hopefully, at least one option could be the way forward:
What Happens To Old Mattresses When They Go To The Tip
Mattresses have been found to be 85% to 95% recyclable however sadly only 16% are recycled in the UK, with the rest being incinerated for waste to energy or shredded and sent to landfill. Recycling centres take the mattress apart and recycle the components such as foam padding, metal springs and coconut fibres in different ways. For example, foam padding can be reused to make carpet underlay and metal springs can be melted down to be used again for a new product.
Mattresses dont belong in landfill they take up a lot of space and more than ten years to decompose, polluting soil and groundwater in the process as a result of their non-biodegradable parts. But the challenge is that it takes such a lot of time and money to break them down into their constituent materials that recycling them is less cost-effective than sending to landfill.
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How To Dispose Of Mattresses
Can you recycle a mattress?
Ask your mattress retailer if they offer a recycling program or check out independent recycling options or contact Re-Matt, a local mattress recycler .
A mattress in good condition
Donate or drop-off a mattress at a charity. Some organizations accept mattresses in good condition for donation. Contact them to confirm.
Take your mattress to a City landfill. Landfill charges will apply.
Does The City of Calgary collect mattresses?
No. We do not collect large pieces of furniture like mattresses, box springs or futons.
Landfill locations listed below:
Retailer Will Your New Mattress Retailer Take It Away
Many mattress retailers will take away your old mattress if you buy your new one from them. Some charge and a few offer the service for free.
Below is a table showing how much the major retailers charge to collect and dispose of your old mattress. Be aware that this service is only available if you buy a new mattress from them at the same time:
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Addremove Is It Free To Recycle My Mattress At The Landfills
Mattress-only loads are accepted for free at our Prima Deshecha and Olinda Alpha landfills for residential customers. If bringing a separated mattress along with waste for disposal, standard landfill fees will apply for the waste disposal. The mattress must NOT be soiled or contaminated. See list of acceptable and non -acceptable items in question #1 above.
Commercial businesses may recycle mattress-only loads for free at the Frank R. Bowerman, Prima Deshecha and Olinda Alpha landfills if eligible for recycling at . See list of acceptable and non-acceptable items in question #1 above.
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.
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How To Get Rid Of A Mattress
You might be surprised by how many different ways you can dispose of your mattress. There are at least 10 different options, but some of them are expensive, environmentally damaging and even illegal, so picking the best way to get rid of your mattress can be difficult.
| Method |
Based on a survey of 1,098 Which? members conducted in March 2021.
Man & Van Waste Carrier Use A Specialist Waste Collection Company
The fastest, most convenient way of getting rid of your old mattress is to use a private waste removal contractor. You can find a local licensed collector in London through our sister business, the rubbish removal marketplace LoveJunk. Depending on the size of mattress and location, the typical collection price is £25- £35.
AnyJunk charges a little more £42 to remove just a mattress by itself, or £18 extra to remove a mattress as part of a larger clearance. A larger clearance would be ideal if you had other junk to get rid of such as fridges, carpet, sofas and other household bulky items. The team can remove it from inside the property for no extra cost, or you can put it outside so you dont need to be there when they come. More information on our mattress collection service can be found here.
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Disposing Of Your Mattress
Use An Online Service
Check online at your mattress’ manufacturer’s website many retailers, like Luuf, offer mattress disposal services . Casper also has a bedding recycling program, called Resnooze & Recycle, which allows you to retire your old piece. Simply bring your mattress to a participating Casper sleep shop. From there, they’ll recycle and offer a discount on a brand new bed.
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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.
Familiarize Yourself With The State Mattress Disposal Policies
Prior to disposing of your mattress, do some research regarding your states policy for mattress removal. If you live in California or Connecticut, you will need to obey the strict mattress recycling laws there and follow special recycling programs for mattresses. If you live in a state that does not have any dedicated mattress disposal rules, you may need to do some additional research to learn if there are any state guidelines to follow.
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Put It In A Skip Are Mattresses Allowed In Skips
If you just have a mattress to dispose of, this option isnt worth it. But if you already have a skip on your property for some other reason then a skip is worth considering. Bear in mind though that skip companies normally charge extra for a mattress and some prohibit you from putting them in the skip altogether so its best to double-check with the skip hire company before you use it.
For more general guidance on skips, check out our skip hire guide.
How To Dispose Of A Mattress: A Guide For Every State
Are you ready to dispose of an old mattress? Youve got options no matter where you live! The best way is to recycle it. The old steel, foam, fibers, wood, and other materials can be used to create new products.
Below we share resources to help you dispose of your mattress and rest easy knowing you did the right thing.
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Addremove Which Landfills Will Take My Mattress For Recycling
Residents can take eligible mattresses and box springs to the Olinda Alpha Landfill or Prima Deshecha landfills as they are open for public disposal. The Frank R. Bowerman landfill is not open to the general public for disposal.
Commercial customers may take eligible mattresses and box springs ONLY to the Frank R. Bowerman, the Olinda Alpha or Prima Deshecha landfills.
How Are Mattresses Recycled
Mattress recycling services can use almost all of the old mattresses. A mattress is first cut open and its layers are separated.
Typical mattress parts are fabric or fibers on the surface layer, foam padding made of polyurethane foam, and steel springs. Box springs typically have a wooden frame and a steel spring structure. Bed frames may also have foam and fabric for top layers.
Fabric is recycled into industrial oil filters or it finds its use in the textile industry. Foam padding can be turned into carpets or used in dog beds. Steel springs can be recycled as metal scrap, and wooden bed frames can be turned into mulch or used as a fuel source.
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Consult The Mattress Recycling Council
In California, Connecticut and Rhode Island, you are legally required to recycle mattresses through a program administered by the Mattress Recycling Council, which costs between $10 and $17 per mattress. To get rid of your mattress in these locations, you will need to have your mattress removed by the retailer when your new one arrives or deliver it to a certified recycling facility yourself.
Consider Mattress Or Furniture Companies With Take
Some companies will offer the option that if you purchase a new bed from them, they will come and collect it several years down the road, when youre ready for a new mattress. They do this in the hopes that your next mattress will also be purchased from them.
This can be an easy and convenient way to dispose of your old mattress, if you feel confident that the company youre buying from will still be in business several years down the road.This service usually carries an additional fee at the time you buy your bed, but is sometimes free..
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Will A Warranty Cover Any Of These Issues
In some situations, an issue with a mattress may be covered by the warranty. A warranty means that a company must agree to repair or replace its products in the case of defects or structural flaws.
Warranties vary between companies and even between different products made by the same brand. When you are considering a purchase, make sure to look at an items warranty to find out if any issues you have are covered in the mattress warranty.
Can You Take A Mattress To The Dump
If you have explored these other options, and cannot find anywhere to accept your mattress, you may be wondering how to get rid of your mattress. Avoid dumping or burning your mattress. Obviously, taking your mattress to the dump should be avoided if possible, but if you live in a very rural area or it is very bad shape this may be your only option. This is still a better option than burning it or dumping it somewhere that is not a designated dump or landfill. You should be especially careful about burning or illegally dumping your mattress. Dumping is illegal if you choose to dump your mattress on the side of the road or in someone elses dumpster, you could be fined. Burning a mattress can be extremely dangerous. If you burn a mattress, you are putting your own health and safety at risk. Burning a mattress also releases harmful toxins in the air that cause damage to the environment.
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Why You Shouldnt Take Your Old Mattress To The Landfill
Mattresses are big bulky items, and they take up a lot of space. This is true for your home, and its also true for your area landfill. In fact, even among all the other trash and solid waste there, mattresses also take up a huge amount of landfill space.
Americans dump about 20 million mattresses a year, and this can add up to 800 million cubic feet of refuse to landfills already packed to the brim with other garbage. Because of the padding, fabric, and springs, discarded mattresses are difficult to compact and can even break the landfill machinery!
Consider all other options before considering the landfill. Your local charities, thrift stores or recycling centers and the Earth will thank you!
Addremove How Is This Service Offered Free To Residential And Commercial Customers
Acceptance of eligible mattresses for free at OC landfills and by OC waste haulers is made possible through the Bye Bye Mattress Program administered by the Mattress Recycling Council. California law requires retailers to collect a recycling fee on each mattress and box spring sold. The amount of the fee was approved by the state and is not set or controlled by individual retailers.
For more information regarding the recycling fee, visit the Frequently Asked Questions here.
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Addremove Why Recycle My Mattress
More than 80% of a mattress can be recycled, saving valuable resources and preserving the environment. The Bye Bye Mattress program picks up recyclable mattresses from the landfill and processes the recoverable materials for reuse. For more information on how mattress materials are repurposed, click here.
OC Waste & Recycling and Bye Bye Mattress estimates the partnership will prevent as many as 15,000 mattresses per year from being buried in our local landfills. The partnership also aims to reduce illegal mattress disposal by making recycling options more readily available to both residential and commercial customers.
Resell Or Give It Away
If you’d like to make a few bucks from your mattress, you can also consider selling it. We only recommend selling beds that are in excellent condition without any central sagging. Your mattress should also be clean and come from a smoke-free home.
Sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist make it easy to sell or give away items to local buyers. Simply take a few pictures of your mattress, upload them to these platforms, and state your listing price. Then, buyers within your area can reach out to you to arrange a time and place to pick up the mattress.
If you’re simply trying to get rid of your mattress, listing it for free on one of the above platforms could save you some time and effort. If your bed is still in good condition, people may be willing to pick it up from your house and haul it away for you, saving you the work of taking it to a donation center.
You can also reach out to friends and family members to see if anyone is interested in taking the mattress off your hands. Your friends may be more likely to trust that the mattress is clean and in good condition than total strangers would.
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Ask The Council To Collect Your Mattress
You can ask your local council to collect the mattress. Many provide a bulky waste collection service. Often this includes beds and mattresses. Be aware, however, that this may be expensive. Not only that, your mattress could end up in a local landfill. Many authorities say theyll recycle some of the old waste or as much of it as they can.
Not all councils will charge you. Some offer a free mattress collection service. These are in the minority, however. Why not contact your local council and ask them whether they charge for bulky waste collection?
Often youll have to leave the items in a specific spot outside your house. If youre doing away with your bed and your mattress, these will count as two items. Youll pay a charge for each item.
