Where Can I Take A Mattress For Recycling
Nowadays, even mattresses can be purchased online. While purchasing online can usually save you some money, keep in mind that the option of removal of your old mattress is no longer available. If you bought your mattress online or store pickup is not an option, then you will need to do a little more leg work. There may or may not be a mattress recycling center local to your area.
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.
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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Bed Bugs And Other Pests
If your mattress has been infested by bed bugs or other pests, then you absolutely should not risk spreading the pests to others. Even recycling the mattress can potentially spread the pests, so proper disposal is vital here.
When disposing of infested items, its important to contain the infestation before attempting to move them. For smaller items like pillows, placing them in a plastic bag will work. Larger items like mattresses should be shrink-wrapped or tightly covered in tarp or painters plastic to contain the pests and prevent further spread.
Once moved outside, clearly label that the mattress is infested to deter anyone who may be tempted to rehome your item before waste disposal picks it up.
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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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.
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.
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.
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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.
However, you do have options when it’s time to get rid of your old mattress. Depending on the condition of the mattress and where you live, you may be able to donate it, recycle it or even have it picked up. Here’s what we recommend.
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Look Up Your States Policies
Some states like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have mattress recycling laws in place. The law in these states requires the manufacturers to provide you with a reliable solution to discard your mattress.
If you live in Los Gatos or Bay Area, you can get fined for throwing out your mattress with other waste. So, it is better to check your states regulations before deciding what to do with your old mattress.
The Number Of Mattress Disposals Increased From 2016 To 2017
The NBF estimated that people and businesses in the UK disposed of around 7,260,000 mattresses between them and that 91% of the new mattresses people bought were replacing old ones. Although this replacement rate was the same for 2016, the nation disposed of fewer mattresses. The NBF estimated wed thrown out around 6,720,00 mattresses.
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How To Dispose Of A Mattress
While trying to find the best mattress for you can be frustrating, every mattress owner inevitably reaches the point where its clear that its time to level up. Some people decide to switch out their mattress because theyre interested in a new model or mattress type, and some people seek out a new mattress because their comfort requirements have changed over time, because of factors like age, losing or gaining weight, and/or injuries. However, even someone who isnt particularly interested in other mattresses will need to replace their mattress eventually.
There are a number of different ways to get rid of a used mattress, from recycling to donation to throwing it away. The method thats right for you depends on a number of different factors, especially the state of the mattress, where you are located, and which facilities are close by offering which types of disposal and donation services.
Well break down the different methods of mattress disposal, how to choose the right one for you, and how to go about getting the disposal job done.
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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How To Recycle Air Mattresses
Depending on the material an air mattress is made out of, it may or may not be recyclable. As most are made out of plastic, only some cities, municipalities and waste management programs have the capacity to recycle these materials. Electric air pumps can often be recycled for some of the individual components however these may have to be sorted separately. If you prefer, Junk 4 Good can do all of this work for you. We are more than happy to load, sort and determine what may or may not be recyclable with the local transfer station.
How To Dispose Of Old Mattress
Is it time to replace or upgrade your mattress? A mattress generally lasts around 10 years, so you may or may not know exactly what to do with your old mattress. There are a few different options depending on things like: where your new mattress was purchased, where you live, and what your preferences. Well run down the easiest and environmentally friendly ways to get rid of that old mattress. Since close to 15 million mattresses end up in a landfill each year, its essential to take a little extra time to avoid this whenever possible.
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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!
How Do I Get Rid Of An Old Mattress
If youve purchased your mattress from a brick and mortar store like a furniture or mattress store, you are most likely having the mattress delivered to your home. Nearly every retail store will include the removal of your old mattress in the price of delivery if you desire. Check with the salesperson when you are setting up delivery and make sure they can remove your old mattress. You may also want to check that they follow through with recycling old mattress they pick up and they do not just end up at the dump and then a landfill.
If it is a smaller independent mattress retailer, they may or may not be taking the extra steps to haul mattresses to a recycling center that accepts them. Usually, larger chains are set up to take them to a recycling center where they are disassembled, and whatever parts can be recycled are separated. This is usually a free service or included with delivery costs, and would be the simplest, least complicated way to get rid of that old worn-out mattress. You wont have to wrap or load up a large, heavy mattress, so if this is a possibility save your back and some time. Let the professionals remove it for you.
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How To Know When Its Time To Replace Your Mattress
A good mattress can last you a long time, but youll have to replace it eventually. Less expensive mattresses have a shorter lifespan, typically 7-8 years, but higher quality mattresses may have longer lives. Its important that your mattress keeps you comfortable and your body supported up until its time to replace it.
Some signs that you need to replace your mattress include:
- Youre waking up with aches and pains
- The mattress is lumpy, sagging, uneven, or visibly worn
- Its harder for you to fall asleep or stay asleep
- Your mattress makes lots of noise as you shift around
- You just want to choose the best mattress for your sleeping style
How Long Should A Mattress Last
Nearly a quarter of Which? members expect a new mattress to last more than a decade, according to a survey of 1,098 members in March 2021. We reckon thats pretty optimistic, not least because there are some common misconceptions about the lifespan of a mattress. A third of members expect a mattress to last around 8-10 years, which is about right.
You might think that a mattress will last longer if its bought as part of a set with a new bed base. But while buying a new bed frame is no guarantee your new mattress will last, using an old or incorrect bed frame with your new mattress certainly isnt going to lengthen its lifespan, and it may well also invalidate your warranty. Take a look at our top 10 bed shopping tips.
If you think spending more on a mattress means it’s likely to last longer, think again. While investing in an expensive mattress will likely mean you get better-quality fabrics and fillings, it’s no guarantee of a longer lifespan. Weve tested £200 Best Buy mattresses that perform better in our durability tests than mattresses costing more than 10 times as much.
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Hire Dumpster Rental Cost
For those who have additional junk to remove, dumpster rental could be a good choice at $75 to $125 for a dumpster that measures two cubic yards in size. This helps you declutter and get rid of everything at once. However, it takes up a lot of space in your driveway. Unless youve got enough to fill a container, its usually not going to be a cost-effective option. Some homeowners associations prohibit these items from being used. Fortunately, if you go this route, youll have the peace of mind that the price includes the dumping fees, so you will avoid paying that additional expense.
A Donate How Can I Donate My Mattress
Charities, shelters and churches might take your mattress off your hands as long as its still in good condition, or you can pay a professional to clean it if youd really like it to go to a new home. A few larger charities that take mattresses are the British Heart Foundation, Emmaus, Furniture Donation Network, British Red Cross,Stellas Voice UK and the Furniture Re-use network. Others that may be interested are local womens refuges and homeless shelters
Youll need to make sure the fire safety label is still intact when youre donating or selling your mattress. It wont be accepted without it. The label will be sewn onto the underneath of the mattress and looks like this:
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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.
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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What Is The Mattress Recycling Fee And What Is It For
More than 80% of a used mattress components can be recycled, and still, more than 50,000 end up in landfills every year. The California Mattress Recycling Council funds a recycling program through a state-mandated $10.50 recycling fee on each mattress, foundation, box spring, and adjustable base sold. The entire fee gets remitted to the MRC to help reduce Californias carbon footprint and the states unnecessary waste. Through this program and others around the country, the MRC recycles over one million mattresses annually.
However, please understand that the fee is calculated per piece. So, if the customers box spring or foundation comes in two pieces , they are legally obligated to pay the fee for both pieces as well as the mattress. Ortho Mattress has no control over these government mandated fees.
