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What To Do With Your Old Mattress

Use Old Mattress Springs As Flower Vase Holder

What to do with your old mattress

Old mattress springs can come in handy for DIY home decor. You can use it as a flower vase holder.

Simply place one upright and pop in a flower vase.

Voila!

Image Source: FPTFY

Make a planter from old mattress

Another great thing you can do with your old mattress instead of throwing it away is to use it as a planet for your home garden.

How? Start by removing and pulling away all the fabric and foam off your old mattress to reveal the inner frame and springs.

Then, place it on the wall and fill the spring holes with tiny plants.

Make New Cushions And Pillows

This is the most important and perfect use that you can do with the old Memory foam mattress because these are some of the most comfortable mattresses on the market so, if you want to make new cushions and pillows then the memory foam mattress is the best option you can try.

Give this mattress to your cushion maker and he will make the perfect fluffy cushions and pillows for you when you will sleep on that you will get the most peaceful sleep of your life because of the memory foam layers in it.

Will The Local Tip Take A Mattress

Your local tip will probably take old mattresses, but to get it there youll need a vehicle and one that’s big enough to fit a mattress in. If you have a car but your boot is too small to fit the mattress when flat, you might find that it fits if you roll the mattress up and fasten it with rope.

But that’s a lot of effort to go to when the mattress might well just end up in landfill anyway. You might decide youd rather go to the extra effort of taking it to a dedicated recycling facility, or pay for the convenience of the council or a specialist disposal company to collect it from your home.

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The Mattress Recycling Process

To recycle the old mattress, it will be broken down into smaller parts. The process starts by cutting the mattress open and separating the types of materials inside.

  • The softer materials such as cotton, foam, and polyester are compressed for reuse. They are used in different products such as carpets, insulation, padding or textiles.
  • The metal, such as the steel used in the foam, are repurposed as scrap for reuse in building materials and other products.
  • Some mattresses also have wood products. These wood products are pulverized for mulch or burned as a fuel source.
  • Other products which are not recyclable are disposed of in a landfill.

Sell Your Usable Mattress

What To Do With Your Old Mattress

If you dont mind the hassle, you also have the option of selling your mattress on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc. When selling it, you want it to be in similar shape to as if you were going to be donating it. Before you find your mattress a new home, you should give it a thorough cleaning with the best DIY upholstery cleaner.

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What Other Allergens Are Present On The Mattress

Other than dust mites, your mattress can house various elements like mould, mildew, pet dander, oils, dead skin cells, and different dirt and stains that can contaminate your mattress. If you live in a hot and humid area like Singapore, your mattress is more susceptible to mould buildup. The dead skin cells that you shed every day, the natural bodily oils, and even your moisturiser and other cosmetics can seep into your mattress.

Other causes of mattress allergies can also be tied to the material itself. Some people can be sensitive to some mattress materials, like synthetic latex.

Exceptions: Mattresses That Cant Be Recycled

While standard mattresses including box spring mattresses are valuable and important to recycle, air mattresses and water beds are substantially less valuable in materials. Its also worth mentioning that mattresses with bed bugs or mould also cannot be recycled.

If you are ready to get rid of any of these mattresses, you can feel guilt-free tossing them with the rest of your trash.

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Give Your Old Mattress To The Needy

If your mattress is still in good shape, one of the best things you can do is to give your old mattress to other people.

This way, someone in need will be able to benefit from your old mattress, and youll be keeping it out of the landfill.

Now, you might be thinking:

Who would be happy to receive your old and used mattress?

Well, youd be surprised how many people might be in the market for free mattresses. As long as your old mattress is still in good shape, you can help them out.

For starters, you can visit homeless people as they are the most needy.

You can also speak with your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors and ask them if they know someone who would be happy to get a used mattress for free.

Alternatively, you can also use your social media account or online marketplaces like Craigslist to let more people know that youre giving away an old but still usable mattress.

When Should You Throw Out A Mattress

How To Repurpose An Old Mattress | DIY Outdoor Daybed

There isnt any hard or firm rule on when you should get rid of your mattress, but many believe the life span can be anywhere between 5-10 years. However, there are many factors you should consider for your specific scenario. It is important to be aware of issues like sagging, stains/smells, pests, squeaks, lumps, or if youre experiencing aches and discomfort or any allergies or asthma related issues. When you determine that your mattress has reached its limit, Junk 4 Good can help you to easily create space for your new one.

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Contact A Mattress Recycling Program

Recycling programs like 1-800-GOT-JUNK are happy to take your old mattress off your hands for a fee. It’s one of the more convenient ways to recycle your mattress, albeit not the most cost-effective one.

Depending on where you live, you may also have the opportunity to coordinate something with your local recycling drop-off site, so ask around.

Government & Private Resources

Most municipalities have specific procedures that must be followed when disposing of a used mattress, oftentimes including a certain manner of disposal as well as a fee. You can check your local governments website for the procedure in your area.

In a few states, including Connecticut, California, and Rhode Island, Extended Producer Responsibility laws help alleviate the burden on the government workers by putting the responsibility on the mattress producer. With EPR laws, consumers pay a fee up front when they buy their mattress to fund public collection and mattress disposal, thus facilitating used mattress recycling.

Of course, there is also an endless selection of private companies looking to cash in on your predicament by charging a mattress pick-up fee to dispose of your mattress hassle-free.

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Ideas For What You Can Do With An Old Mattress

A mattress that is donated must be clean, free of stains and bugs, and still be usable. Of course, it shouldnt smell either. Homemade or commercial mattress sprays can help with odors and stain removal, as well. Cleaning a very old memory foam mattress is usually possible, although it may take a little time.

No matter what you do, dont leave your old mattress on the curb or in a local dumpster. Many cities have rules and laws in regards to disposing of an old mattress, so be sure to follow them.

Getting Your Mattress Ready To Donate

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Some good nation-wide charities for collecting used mattresses include Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity.

These organizations are usually willing to accept just about any kind of mattress so long as theres nothing wrong with it, but be sure to double-check your local outlets policies before driving off with your mattress.

Charities will not typically accept mattresses that are broken, stained or unsanitary.

Also be sure to let you charity know if your mattress is coming from a home with pets or cigarette smoke.

Many people who come to these organizations are in poor health, and the last thing they need is for their new mattress to make things worse.

This is especially important for people with asthma or allergies.

You definitely shouldnt let this keep you from looking into donating, but just be sure to let the charity know.

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What To Do With An Old Mattress In Connecticut

Here are your options for your old mattress in the State of Connecticut:

  • Recycle your mattress: Most transfer stations allow their town residents to drop off mattresses for free. Meanwhile, any resident can drop off mattresses at Park City Green in Bridgeport or the Salvation Army locations in Hartford and Newington. See if your local transfer station is participating or get directions to the statewide accessible locations here.
  • Retailer take back: When you buy a new mattress and have it delivered, ask your retailer to take your old one back.
  • Bulky item pick up: Contact your local government to learn how curbside pick up of a bulky item works in your area. You may have free pick up available! Policies vary and an appointment may be required. View the directory here.
  • Mattress retailers, hotels, universities, hospitals, military facilities and other businesses that want to dispose of mattresses can also do so at no cost with the help of our Commercial Volume Program.

    But First What Are Dust Mites

    While many of us are familiar with bed bugs and other insects that may linger in the bedroom, dust mites are unnoticeable, microscopic pests that feed off human skin cells. These pests thrive in warm, humid areas and accumulate on the bed and other high-traffic areas over the years. The surprising thing is that the allergy symptoms dont necessarily come from the bite of bed bugs but from inhaling their debris.

    Dust mite allergy symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, itchy skin, and watery eyes. They may also cause asthma symptoms and difficulties in breathing. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and should not be overlooked as they can become persistent.

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    Is Your Mattress Making Your Allergy Worse

    After an energy-draining day, we all want to burrow into our cosy bedroom oasis and replenish our bodies with a refreshing nights sleep. However, our supposedly safe haven for sleeping and resting can sometimes pose a threat to our health. Back pain and allergy symptoms, for example, can be caused by the wrong mattress.

    If you often sneeze or suffer from itchy eyes, a runny nose, and other allergy-related discomfort when you sleep, your mattress might be the culprit.

    The bedroom should be a sanctuary that allows you to rest and get ready for the next day. However, even if you clean your room often or put the air purifier on, your mattress can still harbour dust mites, bacteria, and other allergy-inducing elements. So, if you think youve always kept your room clean and the air quality maintained, its time to check the condition of your mattress.

    Taking The Mattress To The Landfill

    HOW TO DISPOSE OF YOUR OLD MATTRESS

    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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    Can I Recycle My Air Mattress

    The vast majority of air mattresses are made from PVC, #3 plastic also known as polyvinyl chloride. PVC is known to release phthalates, which can be absorbed by the body. So if youre shopping for a new air mattress, look for one thats PVC-free.

    Unfortunately, PVC is not the easiest material to recycle, and up until the last several years, very few facilities accepted it. While more facilities accept PVC now, youll probably still have a hard time finding one that accepts PVC air mattresses. While the Earth911.com recycling directory lists locations that accept #3 plastics, you still need to call and confirm that they accept air mattresses, since these are a specialized product.

    Several companies now make PVC-free air mattresses. Most of these are made from TPU , which is a mixture of a hard plastic and a soft silicone, a form of rubber. While TPU is not any easier to recycle than PVC, it is more environmentally friendly.

    No matter which kind of air mattress you have, if you cannot confirm that your local recycling program accepts them, do not place your unwanted mattress in the recycling bin. Air mattresses can get tangled up in the recycling machinery and cause serious damage that can cost thousands of dollars to repair and the temporary shutdown of already overwhelmed recycling plants.

    Instead of throwing those old mattresses in the trash, lets look into a few other options.

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    How Long Does A Pocket Sprung Mattress Last

    Of the 94 spring mattresses weve tested, nearly three quarters of them earn four stars or more in our tough durability tests.

    After measuring the height, firmness and supportiveness of every mattress we test, we then simulate up to a decade of use by rolling a heavy barrel over the mattress 30,000 times. To do well in our durability tests, a mattress must maintain its supportiveness, firmness and height.

    Our reviews will help you pick out a long-lasting option, but to maximise its lifespan you need to make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions for rotating or turning it.

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    How Long Does A Memory Foam Mattress Last

    Memory foam mattresses tend to perform well in our durability tests. Of the 52 memory foam, foam and latex mattresses weve reviewed, over 90% of them earned four or five stars in our lifespan test. The remaining mattresses got three stars, which is average or acceptable.

    However, in the past we have uncovered memory foam mattresses that did abysmally in our durability tests.

    Memory foam mattresses still need to be rotated regularly, so theres no less maintenance than with a pocket sprung option.

    Find out more about how to buy thebest memory foam mattress.

    Can I Put My Mattress On The Curb

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    No, putting your mattress on the curb is generally considered to be illegal dumping as most cities and municipalities do not offer collection for items like this. However, you will want to first check with your local waste management to see if they offer any large item collection. Without doing prior research, we have seen countless customers receive fines for leaving mattresses and other junk in inappropriate areas. If you need your mattress gone fast, give Junk 4 Good a call, we can have a team to your home quickly. Additionally, if you have your mattress curbside just before our pick-up, we can offer a 10% discount!

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    When It Goes To The Landfill

    According to the Mattress Recycling Council, 15 to 20 million mattresses are sent to the landfill annually in the U.S. alone. Thats 50,000 mattresses a day.

    To be honest, your mattress is too valuable to sit in a landfill plus, when a mattress is sentenced to a landfill, it can have negative impacts on the environment:

    Ground Pollution: When a mattress degrades, the environment absorbs the chemicals that it was made from, which includes bleaches and dyes.

    Greenhouse Gas Emissions: As a result of the chemicals mentioned above, mattresses can release carbon dioxide and methane when left untreated in a landfill. These gasses are a huge contributor to the greenhouse effect and climate change as an extension.

    They Stay Forever: One mattress takes roughly 10 years to decompose fully, and releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere during this length process.

    They Take Up Space: As if its not bad enough that mattresses can sit in a landfill for what seems like eons, they also take up a lot of space specifically, 40 cubic feet of space annually in the U.S. alone.

    What If There Are No Recycling Programs In My Area

    If you cant find a recycling location in your area, consider reaching out to larger communities with more resources. Some charity programs will travel within a specific mile range to pick up donations. Other larger cities offer programs that more remote residents qualify for, including free pick-up.

    You can also check with local non-profits to see whether they accept donations of furniture. It doesnt hurt to ask.

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