How To Recycle A Mattress
Mattresses are filled made from a variety of materials that can be reused once the mattress has reached the end of its life cycle.
Here are some ways you can recycle your mattress or give it another chance:
Your Old Mattress Is Not Like A Fine Wine
Youll never hear anyone state the old adage that an old mattress is like a fine wine, because they do not get better with age. The simple fact is, an old mattress is not very useful when not on your bed frame.
If you are trying to decide what to do with your old mattress, well explore the top 5 reasons why youll want to get rid of your old mattress instead of hanging onto it.
Reasons to get rid of your mattress
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Option : Throw It Away
If youve exhausted all your options and are unable to recycle, donate, resell, or repurpose your old mattress, the last option is to throw it out. However, that doesnt mean leaving it next to your dumpster. Many cities and states have specific rules and regulations in place around throwing away mattresses. Several cities dont allow you to leave a mattress in the trash doing so can result in a ticket or fine. Some areas will allow you to throw out a mattress in the Dumpster however, there may be specific rules around it. For example, some cities may require you to wrap the mattress in a plastic mattress bag. Its always best to check the regulations of your area before throwing out your mattress. If you live in an area that doesnt allow you to throw out your mattress with your regular trash, there are a couple of other options available.
Throwing out your mattress should be your last option. However, if you have to do it, make sure to do it responsibly.
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Option #: Giveaway Or Sell On Craigslist
If your mattress is in decent condition, it is very probable that someone may want to use it. Believe it or not there are actually a lot of people who benefit greatly from saving a buck and purchasing a used mattress. PRO TIP: Make sure to take nice pictures and highlight the fact that your mattress DOES NOT have any stains and DOES NOT have bed bugs. This will put potential buyers minds at ease and increase the chances that someone will take it off your hands for you.
Placing Natural Bug Repellent Items Close To The Mattress Or Under It
Citronella, lavender, peppermint, and other natural herbs and plants release chemical ions in the air, repelling the bed bugs and reducing their population. Even though its quite effective in eliminating the bugs, using the natural substances will take a long time and is effective only during the initial stages of bed bug infestation.
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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!
Plenty Of Factors Affect The Quality Of Your Sleep And Rest
Everything from leaving a light on to facing added stress at work can prevent sleep from having actual restorative effects, even if you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.
While there is no disputing that many things contribute to sleep quality, perhaps the biggest factor is sleep environment. This means sleeping somewhere that is a comfortable temperature with quality bedding and, of course, a good mattress.
If you often find yourself waking up and feeling like you have not slept at all, it may be time to invest in a new mattress. So once you have decided to update your mattress, what should you do with the old one?
Lets examine the best ways to address mattress disposal.
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Using A Hard Brush To Scrub The Mattress Edges And The Furniture Gaps To Remove The Eggs
To remove the younger bed bugs and the eggs, you can use a hard brush and scrub the surfaces where they usually stay hidden. For example, these pests usually lay eggs in between the joints of the bed and the edges of the mattress, where its hard to find them. Thats why scrubbing these areas with a hard brush will help you to remove them with ease.
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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Free Recycling At The Recycling Center
Mattresses and box springs can be brought to the Middletown Recycling Center for disposal and recycling.
Mattresses and box springs that contain normal wear can be placed in the Mattress Recycling Container for recycling. There is no charge for this service. Mattresses are recycled with the Mattress Recycling Council.
Mattresses and box springs that contain bed bugs or are wet or mildewed must be wrapped in plastic and disposed as bulky waste for a charge.
Do Not Do This To Get Rid Of The Old Mattress
1. Burn the mattress
Never burn old mattresses. It releases harmful fumes into the atmosphere, and youre just making your surroundings dirty by doing it. Burning old mattresses makes smoke and pollutes the air. This is very bad for your health and the environment as well. Not only your smoke ends up in the air, but you can disturb your neighbors with all the smoke.
2. Throw it into the river
Never throw your old mattress away by throwing it into a river. Throw your mattress into the river and you might cause water pollutants. Not only does it damage the water quality, but it could even lead to floods and landslides. Its also not good for the environment to release used mattresses into the wild.
An old mattress usually contains harmful chemicals and other pollutants that might leak into the ground and contaminate important waterways and natural resources. It also can block the water flow and cause floods. Also, it is bad for the environment as it could endanger marine life and pollute the water.
3. Leaving it on the road irresponsibly
Some people have no respect for the people around them, so they leave their old mattresses everywhere in the neighborhood. A mattress can be really dirty and smelly, and they even attract rodents and bugs. Never just abandon an old mattress on the road.
This is my final thought of how to get rid of old mattress in right steps:
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Give Your Mattress To Someone You Know
Even if your mattress is no longer suitable for you, it could be ideal for someone else. Offering an unwanted bed and mattress to someone in need, such as a friend, family member, or coworker, is another way to get rid of your old bed and mattress. Therefore its worth asking around to see if anybody else requires a new bed and mattress.
Given the high cost of bed frames and mattresses, gifting these items to someone you know may save them a lot of money, especially if they were about to replace theirs anyway!
However, if it is in bad condition, this may not be an option. Many are hesitant to take on a mattress that isnt suitable for use or isnt better than the one they already have.
Make Your Old Mattress Into A Compost Holder
The mattress itself wont compost. However, if youre looking for another option, you could choose to make a compost frame from the wood and natural parts of the filling of the mattress.
Use the wooden parts of your mattress to construct the compost container.
Use the padding and mattress cover as a cover for your compost pile. This can help to keep the warmth in the compost pile and stimulate the bacterial process that takes place in a compost pile.
And if its built well, you can reuse the same compost bin over several seasons.
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Break The Mattress Down Yourself
If you have the time, space, and tools, you can easily break a mattress down yourself. Simply cut around the perimeter of the fabric covering and peel the cloth and foam away from the box springs and wooden frame. You can roll these materials into a compact bundle and put them in your regular trash can. Next, take a saw and cut up the framewhich you can then burn or turn into wood chips. Take the box springs to a recycling center or sell them for scrap.
Given that mattresses can be so difficult to dispose of effectively, you may want to factor durability into your purchasing decisions. Some mattresses come with warranties that range up to 20 years. With proper maintenance, its not impossible for mattresses to last for decades, which can go a long way toward reducing your households overall waste footprint.
Option : Repurpose It
If you love to DIY, break down the mattress and box springs yourself. Mattresses contain a variety of useful materials including steel, polyurethane foam, memory foam, latex foam, natural fibers, wooden parts, nails, screws, and much more. You can use the materials for a variety of purposes including:
- Recycling the parts: Remove the steel parts and springs from your mattress and sell them to local scrap yards and scrap metal recyclers in your area. If your mattress includes cotton, wool, silk, polyester, or rayon, those materials can be recycled as well.
- Home projects: The foams and cotton in your old mattress can be used for several things around your home. They can be shredded and used as carpet padding, insulation, filters, seat cushions, pet bedding, pillows, and more.
- Gardening: Break down the wooden parts of your mattress and use them for gardening. When shredded, the wood works great for lawn mulch. You can also use the wooden slats to create a compost bin.
- Arts and crafts: The fabric that covers your mattress can make a great DIY rug and memory foam padding can be cut into small sizes and used as cleaning sponges. There are also screws and nails in your mattress that can be used for arts and crafts.
- : The coils and springs of your mattress can be melted down and made into various objects such as plant and candle holders, ornaments, bird feeders, and much more.
When in doubt, check out for even more ways you can repurpose your old mattress.
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Diy Cost To Dump A Couch Or Mattress
Getting rid of furniture yourself isnt a terribly difficult process. You have a few options:
- Haul it to the dump yourself. Youll need a trailer or large pickup. It usually only costs $20-$30 at the landfill. Some cities include small loads as part of your municipal utility bill.
- Donate it! Call Goodwill, the Salvation Army or ReStore . Theyll often come pick it up for free if its in good condition.
Many charities wont take anything but furniture in the best condition and hauling it yourself isnt usually a great option. Hiring a pro to remove it doesnt cost much more and lets you get rid of any other junk laying around your home or yard. Find a to clear the clutter today.
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Some Mattress Brands Will Pick Up
Having a new mattress delivered? In states like California, your retailer is required to take your old mattress back when they deliver a new one to you, as long as it’s in acceptable condition. Be sure to read the fine print when purchasing your mattress so you know what kind of delivery and old mattress removal arrangements you’re paying for.
Mattress recycling programs vary by city and state.
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Option : Find It A New Home
If you find yourself in the situation where the mattress that you just replaced is practically brand-new, and youd like to recover some of the money that youve invested, there are definitely some options out there for finding your old mattress a new home.
Craigslist is an online classified advertisement site that can be found in practically every area of the world. You can place a free ad in your local area offering your mattress for sale, and people looking to buy a like new mattress can contact you directly through the site.
and other social media platforms are also a great way to check with your own personal network to see if any of your friends or family are in the market for a new mattress. Just place a picture and description on your profile, and before you know it no more extra mattress to contend with!
Can I Put A Mattress In The Dumpster
As reminded continuously throughout this article, you must check with your community regarding mattress disposal laws. In some areas, there might be fines or tickets if you leave your mattress in the dumpster. And if your garbage truck will pick it up, there might be a schedule or a requirement for the mattress itself.
For example, you may need to break down your mattress before throwing it out. To do this, cut the fabric cover and peel it off. Remove the foam until youre left with the springs and frame. The smaller bulk will now be more comfortable to throw, even in a regular trash can.
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Option #: Diy Mattress Recycling Project
If you are a DIY and like taking on projects why not recycle your mattress yourself. This could be a great way to teach your kids about being resourceful or just a fun way to save some money and the environment. By recycling your mattress you can save on average 26sq.ft. of landfill space. We have a great step-by-step blog post on how to break down and recycle your own mattress. Along with another post on how to recycle your box spring yourself. To do this all you need is an exacto knife and some space . Simply cut around the edges of the mattress until you can take off the cover. Inside you will find foam and metal springs. Separate the foam and metal. You can actually bring the metal springs to the scrap yard and they will pay you for them. As for the foam you can shred it up and use it in dog beds, to fill pillows, or you can find a local carpet manufacturer who may pay you for the foam.
Overall, when it comes to getting rid of a mattress in the the Phoneix area, you do have quite a few options at your disposal. If you have any questions or need any help disposing of your old mattress feel free to contact us or leave a comment below and we would be happy to lend a hand in helping you find a resource to get rid of your mattress. Just please dont dump it on the side of the road or leave it in someones dumpster. Ultimately, that becomes somebody elses problem to dispose of and it will generally cost them money out of pocket to do so.
Find A Specialized Recycling Program
In case you cant sell or donate your mattress, research the options you have in your city to get rid of a mattress. Several cities offer recycling programs themselves or can suggest local recyclers. Some cities collect used mattress curbsides and dispose of them properly.
States like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have implemented a law by the Mattress Recycling Council. It allows mattress manufacturers to collect a mattress disposal fee on top of the cost of new mattresses and box springs. The fees go towards the funding of mattress recycling programs as well as building more mattress recycling drop-off centers.
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