How Do I Dispose Of My Mattress

Recycle Your Old Mattress

Although mattress materials are not typically biodegradable, most of them can be repurposed once the mattress is taken apart:

• The springs and coils can be melted and made into new objects
• The wood can be chipped and burned for fuel or used in mulch
• The foams can be shredded for carpet padding or moving pads
• The cotton and other fibers can be used in insulation or filters

More than 50 mattress recycling programs exist in North America now. Most of them accept used mattresses for a processing fee of $15 or less, and many of them are nonprofits that benefit local communities. Some provide pick-up services while others require drop off.

Source: East Bay Times

To identify recycling facilities in your area, you can visit Earth911.org and explore their directory by zip code. You can also research nearby facilities on the International Sleep Products Association website or through, an organization created to battle the effects of overflowing landfills. If youre buying a new mattress, ask your online or local retail source if they partner with any recycling programs in your area.

Remember that state laws may apply where you live. To learn more about laws that may impact you, you can visit the Programs by State section found on Bye-Bye Mattress.

Why Mattress Care Matters

A little extra care goes a long way. Keeping a clean and well-maintained mattress can actually encourage better sleep and can also extend the life of your mattress. For more information, check out my tips for how to clean your bedroom for better sleep.

Periodically rotating your mattress and box spring can prevent sagging and excessive wear in turn, this prolongs their lives and keeps things comfy for years to come.

How Do I Dispose Of A Mattress In Waltham Forest

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Check With Your Local Trash Collection Service

In some areas, municipal curbside services will remove mattresses during weekly collection days or on specified bulk pickup days. Reach out to your townâs trash and recycling service to see if this is an option in your area and how items should be prepared for pickup.

Will The Council Collect My Mattress

Most, if not all, local councils offer a collection and disposal service for bulky waste, which includes beds and mattresses. But it can be surprisingly expensive, and theres often no guarantee that your mattress wont end up in landfill many local authorities simply say that they will recycle some or all of the waste where possible.

Some councils, such as Liverpool City Council and a number of London boroughs, offer free bulky-waste collection, but theyre very much in the minority. Most councils charge a fee to collect bulky waste, and it can be expensive Argyll and Bute Council and Wealden District Council charge more than £50 for the service, the London Borough of Richmond charges £62 per collection, for example.

If you live in England or Wales, you can find out how much your council will charge for bulky-waste disposal by typing your postcode into the gov.uk website. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, go to your councils website and search for bulky-waste disposal.

Having the council collect your mattress from your home can be convenient, but make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully. Many councils charge a different price depending on the number of bulky items theyll be collecting, but bear in mind that a bed frame and a mattress will likely count as at least two items. And items will often only be collected if theyre left in a designated spot outside the house.

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Donate Your Mattress To A Local Nonprofit

There are several nonprofit organizations and institutions that would gladly take your gently-used mattress. The groups below generally accept mattress donations, though local policies may differ.

These organizations usually offer mattress pickup:

These organizations typically require mattress drop-off:

• Places of worship

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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What Should I Do With My Old Garbage Can

Drill holes in the bottom and sides of the container to allow air circulation. Place the box on the bricks so that it does not touch the ground and allow the air to circulate under the box. Add the remaining raw greens, vegetables, garnishes and vegetable matter. Keep the compost moist and turn it every two weeks.

Option : Resell It Or Give It Away

If your mattress is in good shape and recycling or donating arent options for you, try reselling it. You may not make a ton of money, but you never know someone in your network might need a used mattress and be interested in purchasing it from you. Take advantage of your social media channels by posting that you have a used mattress up for grabs. You can also utilize online marketplaces like OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, or Craigslist. Just post a picture of your mattress on one of these sites and offer up a price. When all else fails, you can list it as free on Craigslist.

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Preparation Makes A Big Difference

Preparation makes a big difference. Recycling facilities may reject mattresses that are too wet, mouldy, have pests, or excessive human excrement. Therefore, your best chance at recycling a mattress starts by taking good care of your bed when you use it. Keeping a mattress in good condition keeps your end-of-use disposal options open. Then, when its time to recycle, it becomes a simple matter of deciding what recycling service you need, as opposed to worrying about whether or not you can recycle it.

Can You Donate A Mattress

If your mattress is still in good condition, consider donating it to charity or giving it away free. That way you can help someone in need, as well as ensuring that it doesn’t end up in landfill.

Organisations such as British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross and Emmaus will resell your mattress and put the proceeds towards a good cause. Several other charities also accept mattress donations, so if there’s a cause you particularly want to support, its worth contacting the charity directly.

As a general rule, these organisations will collect your mattress free of charge, but they might request that you send images first to prove that it’s of acceptable quality. Any organisation accepting a mattress donation will expect it to be fit for use, clean and have a fire label intact.

Another way to ensure your mattress stays out of landfill sites is to use a non-profit initiative such as Freecycle, or your local equivalent group, which can put you in touch with someone in the local area looking for a free second-hand mattress.

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How To Haul Away A Mattress

• Use a waste disposal service: Mattress hauling is part of waste disposal. You can call a dumpster rental or waste disposal service that will pick up and haul your mattress for you. Prices vary, and youll have to do some extra work, like wrapping it tightly in plastic, if you suspect your old mattress has bed bugs. .
• Have your new mattress company haul your old one away: Many mattress companies will haul your old mattress away to recycle it when they deliver your new one. This is by far the easiest option since you wont really need to do anything other than pay a small fee for the labor involved in removing and hauling away your old mattress. Here are some things to know:
• Generally, the fee is under $30.
• Some companies will haul your mattress away for free as an added incentive to have you purchase your new one from them.
• Best for local moves.
• Many online retailers dont offer this service.

How To Dispose Of A Mattress For Free

There are various solutions accessible to those who want to get rid of their mattress for free, but its vital to weigh the benefits and downsides before making a decision.

Lets look at different methods of disposing of a mattress for zero cost, whilst detailing the potential difficulties you may encounter when going down this route.

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Recycling Mattresses With Bedbugs

Mattresses with bedbugs can be recycled at the transfer station and landfilldepending on the level of contaminationfor the mattress recycling fee.

Prepare a mattress with bedbugs for safe transport, handling, and recycling.

Learn about controlling bedbugs External website, opens in new tab in a Vancouver Coastal Health guide.

Dump It Drive It To Your Local Tip

If youre a householder with a car, often the cheapest option is to take your old mattress to the local council tip / civic amenity centre because tips dont normally charge anything. The only downside is that it might not be very near to where you live so the whole process can take up quite a bit of time.

Bear in mind that although you can roll up memory foam mattresses to take up less space, this is not possible with a traditional pocket sprung mattress. So, depending on the size of your car and type of mattress, you may not always be able to fit the mattress in your car.

Lastly, unlike householders, businesses either have to pay to use the council tip or are prohibited from using it altogether. So if you are a business with an old mattress to get rid of and plan on taking it to the tip, always call the council in advance to check if you are allowed, because you may need to find an alternative solution.

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A Guide To Mattress Disposal And Recycling Across The Uk

is a wonderful event. Especially when you realise that your old mattress was pretty past it, and your best nights’ sleep are ahead of you.

However, youre left with a cuboid-shaped puzzle: mattress disposal. Wondering how to get rid of your old mattress brings many questions. Can you take a mattress to the tip, for example? Can you leave it on the street? Is it ok to have an unseasonal bonfire night celebration?

Contrary to popular belief, old mattresses dont end up starring in global productions of The Princess And The Pea. Mattress disposal can result in large, multi-material objects ending up in landfill. Waste isnt good in any form, but mattresses are really large bits of waste, so its important to get this right.

Thats why weve researched the best ways to dispose of an old mattress, all of which are easy for you to follow, and good for the environment, too.

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The article continues below.

How To Prolong The Lifespan Of Your Mattress

While you should inspect your mattress after around 7 years of use to make sure it is still in good condition, Business Insider advises taking these steps to extend the life of your mattress.

Use a mattress protector: This protects your mattress from dirt and stains. It also provides a barrier between your mattress, making it less likely for bugs to burrow inside of it.

Continually rotate your mattress: You should be rotating your mattress every 3 to 6 months. This prevents premature sagging and can even out the natural wear and tear your mattress will endure from everyday use.

Vacuum: You should vacuum regularly to ensure that your mattress is clean. A mattress free of dirt and crumbs is more sanitary and will last longer than one covered in grime.

Wrap when transporting: On the off chance you have to travel with your mattress, you should cover it with plastic wrapping. You do not want to expose your mattress to contaminants on the way to its final destination.

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How To Get Rid Of Your Old Mattress

If youve made the decision to invest in a new mattress or are simply turning your guest room into an office, when you have an old mattress to dispose of, you have several good options:

• Buy a new mattress from a manufacturer or retailer that will manage disposal of the old one.
• Donate your old mattress to an organization that accepts them.
• Take it to a mattress recycling organization.
• Find a new home and new owners for it.
• Hire someone to pick up your old mattress.
• Reuse and repurpose it.

What Is Mattress Recycling

Mattress recycling involves taking apart the components of beds and reusing them in other applications. It is different then mattress refurbishing or renovating, which involves reupholstering and reselling the bed.

Most materials in a mattress can be repurposed once a bed is deconstructed , and enterprising entrepreneurs are constantly developing new ways to use old bedding.

• Springs & Coils: Metal can melted and made into new items.
• Foams: Mattress foams can be shredded and used in carpet padding , moving pads, and as a fuel source.
• Fibers: Cotton and other fibers can used in filters, insulation or burned for fuel.
• Fabrics & Upholstery: Can be reclaimed for use in other items.
• Wood: Can be chipped for mulch or burned for fuel.

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How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Bad

If your mattress is more than eight years old, its time to do some shopping. However, there are other warning signs that signal that it’s time to upgrade.

Here are six signs that it is time to look for a new mattress:

What Do I Do With My Old Mattress

It may just be tempting to put an old mattress in the dumpster, on the curb free for the taking or for junk removal but you should consider other options. Illegal dumping is a real problem for large items like furniture and mattresses, and its not worth potential fines or repercussions.

If youre looking to get rid of a mattress, consider these options.

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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.

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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Mattress Collection And Disposal Service

The fastest and most convenient way to get rid of your manky mattress* is, without a doubt, to have a professional company come and collect it. Here at Skoup, we offer Van It, a professional mattress collection and disposal service, designed to take away the stress of trying to get rid of your old mattress.

If you have just a mattress or you would like to get rid of any other junk, our team can remove everything for you in an efficient and cost-effective manner. If you book your old mattress collectionbefore 12 noon, you can also benefit from our same day collection services. You call, we collect – it is that simple.

At Skoup we have developed our service, Van It, to help you get rid of any rubbish you may have. Our speciality is to provide you with a convenient service that will help you get rid of anything you dont need or want around. Professional van removal services, like Van It, allow for you to get rid of any rubbish you may have, without the need to hire a skip. This makes it a handy way to get rid of anything you no longer want cluttering up your home.

Costs per van are incredibly reasonable with Van It. Our prices start at£75 per load, depending on where you are in the UK.

You can get a bespoke price today by visiting our Van It removal page.