Things To Do Before You Dispose Of Your Old Mattress
Before you throw your old mattress into the dumpster, you should also be aware of two key policies: your mattress’s warranty policy and your state’s mattress disposal policy. Both of these requirements can impact your next moves regarding if and how you dispose of your mattress.
Most mattresses come with a warranty that details the types of problems the manufacturer will repair for free. Warranties often allow consumers to receive a free repair or replacement for any manufacturing defects that impact their mattress’s effectiveness.
Similarly, each state has its own policies and procedures that dictate how citizens can dispose of their mattresses. For example, some states do not allow you to put your mattress out with the rest of your garbage but instead require you to take your mattress to a specific disposal facility.
Here is some more information about these two essential policies.
Mattress Recycling Service And Junk Removal
Mattress removal service is available in most cities. People get rid of their old mattresses every single day. Because mattress disposal is a common problem, there are actual service companies that will take care of your old mattress for you. A mattress recycling service will charge you, most places charge between $50 and $150 for removal, but they will safely dispose of your mattress and box spring. A mattress removal service is also helpful if you dont have a way to transport your mattress to a recycling center. If you dont have other options, paying to get rid of your mattress is an excellent idea.
How Do I Know If Im Ready For A New Mattress
First things first: how do you know its time to get a new mattress?
The general consensus is that mattresses should be replaced, on average, every 8 years.
However, some types of mattresses tend to last longer than others. For instance, hybrid innerspring-foam mattresses tend to need replacing sooner, at around 6 years, while plain innerspring mattresses can last up to 10 years . Meanwhile, memory foam and latex mattresses can last up to 15 years with the right care.
These figures are only the average lifespans of each type of mattress: some individual mattresses can last for less time than their mattress-type average, while some can last longer. The lifespan of a mattress can vary significantly, depending on factors like the design of the mattress, the materials its made of, how well you take care of it, and what sort of atmosphere it is exposed to in your bedroom.
The best and most accurate way to tell if your mattress needs to be replaced is how it feels, and what sort of rest you get when you sleep on it. Are you still getting the support and comfort from the mattress that you got from it in the past?
| Signs Your Mattress Needs to Be Replaced |
|---|
| Wear and Tear |
| Sounds make wake you when you or your partner move around |
Once youve decided its time for a new mattress, have shopped around and picked out your new model, and are all set to bring it home, theres one final hurdle to face: what do you do with your old mattress?
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Can I Sell A Used Mattress Near Me
The answer is that yes, you can sell a used mattress, but you should use your common sense. If you have a mattress that you know is in poor condition or that has some sort of infestation then its not the kind of item you should sell.
When selling a used mattress you need to set the right price and terms. Being able to sell a mattress can be tricky if it is very old and in poor quality. But, if you can make a sale and ensure it is going to a good home, thats a great way of recycling in the form of reuse.
Signs You Need A New Mattress
After youve had your mattress for about seven years, you should begin inspecting it for wear and tear. If you start to notice any of the below signs, its probably time to get a new mattress.
There is no exact time to get rid of your mattress, however, if you start to notice any of the above signs impact your sleep, it may be time for a new one.
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So How Do You Know If Your Mattress Is In Good Enough Shape To Be Donated
Every charity, organization, and shelter has its own standards for what is acceptable for a donated mattress. However, there are a few standard guidelines:
Odors: Though people can sometimes be noseblind to odors in their own home, a particularly strong odor on a mattress should be noticeable to you. When in doubt, call in a third party, preferably one who you do not live with, to do a sniff test. If you find that the mattress has a slight odor, you can try sprinkling a layer of baking soda on the surface and letting it sit for a few hours. Afterward, vacuum off the baking soda, and then, if possible, let the mattress air outside. If the odor remains, you should reconsider donating the mattress.
In general, figuring out if your mattress is up to donation standards is a matter of common sense.
Make sure the mattress is structurally sound, clean, and free of any infestations or odors. The mattress is not going to help anyone if it cannot be used. Think about whether or not you would want to receive your mattress as a donation. If not, then consider other options.
If you feel that your bed is in good shape for donation, then thats great! You can move on to selecting the right place to donate.
A Lot Of What You Sleep On Can Be Recycled
Most mattress and box spring components can be easily disassembled and recycled. The materials they are made of can be used to manufacture a variety of new products.
Infographic Courtesy of the Mattress Recycling Council
| End Uses | |
|---|---|
| Box Springs & Steel Inner-Springs | Often made from recycled scrap steel to begin with, these can be recycled and made into new steel. |
| Mattress Foam | |
| Wood may be chipped and used as animal bedding, mulch, or biomass fuel. |
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Option : Donate To Charity
After evaluating the condition of your old mattress and you find that it is still in usable condition, you might want to consider donating your used mattress to someone in need. If you were planning to just get rid of it anyway, why not do a good deed and let the mattress finish out its lifespan in good use. There are many charitable organizations that would be happy to receive a lightly used mattress such as homeless shelters and domestic violence centers. You could donate your unwanted bed to help a family that has lost everything in a fire, earthquake, hurricane, or other natural disasters. You can rest easy knowing your former bed is helping someone less fortunate have a good nights sleep. Learn what organizations accept mattresses and in what conditions.
We’ll Handle It From Here
Republic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal.
Through our collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills, we focus on providing effective and reliable environmental services and solutions to make proper recycling and waste disposal effortless for our 14 million customers.
We are committed to the preservation of a Blue Planet®… a cleaner, safer and healthier world where people thrive not just for today, but for generations to come. Republic Services is experienced in meeting sustainability requirements and committed to providing environmentally responsible solutions to meet current and future market recycling and solid waste needs.
Our website access is limited to locations within the United States. Below you will find links to websites accessible to locations outside of the United States.
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Where Can I Get Rid Of My Old Mattress
Knowing where you can get rid of your old mattress will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run. Youll need to find a means to properly, economically, and easily dispose of your old mattress, which is not a simple process. Weve put together a guide to help you figure out where and how to get rid of an old mattress in no time.
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What Companies Can Pick Up A Mattress
Charitable organizations, recycling organizations, and junk hauling services are all options that often offer home pickup of used mattresses. These services may include a fee, although charities usually do pickups for free, particularly if youre donating a large amount of furniture. If you cant have an organization come out and pick up your old mattress, you may need to consider renting a truck for transportation.
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When Should I Get Rid Of My Mattress
You may be looking for ways to dispose of your mattress before you need to. The general advice by The Sleep Council is to get a new mattress after 7 or 8 years, or if you experience any of the following:
- It makes a lot more noise than usual.
- Youve seen a rise in allergies and/or asthma attacks.
- Its interfering with your sleep.
- In some parts, the mattress is visibly droopy or damaged.
- You frequently have muscular or joint stiffness when you wake up.
Although theres no specific method to tell if its time for a new bed, if your mattress isnt assisting you in getting a good nights sleep, its time to get a new one.
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Recycle Your Old Mattress
If you cannot donate your used mattress to a charity organization, recycling it is another way to keep it from the landfill and get a second life out of its components. Many mattresses consist of at least 75% recyclable materials.
However, you can’t simply place a mattress in a curbside recycling bin. Instead, you’ll need to call upon a mattress recycling service to break down the bed into its recyclable parts for you, then donate them to the appropriate recycling centers.
Common mattress materials that are recyclable include:
Mattress recycling companies can repurpose these materials in various ways. For example, the wood from box springs can become mulch or animal bedding. Meanwhile, the fabrics and foams can find a second life in pillows.
Keep in mind that recycling your mattress probably won’t be free. You’ll need to pay the recycling company for the labor and time involved in breaking down your mattress. You may also need to pay to pick up your mattress if you don’t want to drop it off yourself.
Either way, recycling your mattress is an eco-friendly alternative to simply throwing it in a landfill.
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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.
Mattress Age And Quality
Think back to when you first got this mattress, what year was it? Most mattresses are good for 7 to eight years, but if you are over 40 you may want to replace it closer to every 5 years. Remember when the last time you flipped the mattress was. It is good to flip a mattress frequently. If you recently flipped your mattress and it is still uncomfortable, this mattress is probably past its lifespan.
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Do Landfills Accept Mattresses
Landfills most definitely accept mattresses, but thats the last place you should send one. In fact, this has actually led to a mini crisis of sorts, where more mattresses wind up in landfills than recycling centers, something that needs to change.
Every year, Americans are believed to dispose of more than 20 million mattresses, with the vast majority winding up in landfills. This comes to an estimate of around 55,000 per day, and they contribute to 450 million pounds of waste every year. So, whilst your local or state landfill site will accept mattresses, you should be looking be looking to pile another one on.
Reasons To Hire Our Professionals
Our uniformed pick up specialists are fully licensed and insured to enter your home. On arrival they do all the heavy lifting including pick up, hauling and delivery to a recycling center. Most junk removal companies either charge too much or wont take a single mattress or box spring, but we will!View Pricing
Not only will we take just one mattress, but we will also haul away other furniture or couch items if needed. Remember, the earth doesnt want your old mattress, but we do!What We Take
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Can Your Mattress Be Donated
Before you can consider mattress donation, be sure your old bed is in good condition. It will likely have some normal wear and tear, but if it has any major defects, non-profit organizations and local charities may not accept it, or they will end up throwing it out themselves.
Before donating, check for stains, rips, tears, holes, and any serious issues like bed bugs or mold. For box springs, be sure the fabric cover is firmly attached and that the frame is not bent or broken. If the mattress has any of these issues, it may be better to recycle the bed rather than donate it. We will discuss the best way to recycle your mattress and include some resources at the end of this article.
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Option : Hire A Disposal Pro
In the end, it seems like a lot of work and a huge hassle to get rid of your old, used and unwanted mattress. And the last thing you want to do is dump your mattress on the curb, in an empty parking lot, or behind a local business after hours.
Now you can save time, effort and the environment when getting rid of your old mattresses. This means it is time to hire a Mattress Removal Pro to do the work for you.
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Who Picks Up Mattresses For Donation
While some charities do offer pickup of donated items like a mattress set or furniture, it can take several weeks before theyre able to get to you since so many people choose to donate their unwanted items.
Instead of having to constantly climb over that mattress in the hallway while waiting around for a charity to haul away your mattress donation, you can book a pickup with a green mattress removal company who will make sure your old mattress is donated or recycled instead of hauling it to the dump.
Mattress Disposal Plus is a nationwide mattress removal company that will pick up your used mattress, box spring, bed frame, furniture, and other unwanted items then haul them to a local charity for donation or recognized facility for recycling.
Theyre able to charge 20-30% less than most other furniture and mattress removal companies because Mattress Disposal Plus bases their prices on item count instead of volume.
You can completely avoid the hassle and frustration of mattress disposal by calling a professional mattress removal service like Mattress Disposal Plus to haul away and responsibly dispose of your old mattress set for you.
Because they give you a low, upfront and honest final price before you book your pickup, you dont have to worry about experiencing sticker shock when Mattress Disposal Plus arrives to haul away your old mattress or furniture, which is rarely the case with most other mattress removal companies.
Getting A Free Mattress Using Mattress Trials
So hypothetically, you could get a mattress from one company, use it for 100 days, return it and then do the same with a second company, a third company, and so on.
This is an effective way to get a mattress for free, but obviously, you have to deal with things like remembering when the trial period ends and returning the mattress.
Also, you will need to pay for the mattress initially, but then youll get a refund for it, so it turns out to be free!
In many cases, the company will collect the mattress for you. Some will do this for free, and others will charge you, and some companies may put you in charge of returns.
Some make you pay a restocking fee, but many in our list dont.
Many companies will pick up the mattress for you for free and refund you 100% of what you paid.
A lot of these mattress companies will either recycle these returned mattresses or donate them to charity.
Its important to note that most companies only allow one free trial per customer.
So youll need to order your next free mattress from a different company. Fortunately, we list 25 companies that allow you to try mattresses and get a refund!
Its also important to keep in mind that some mattress companies will have requirements for the condition of the mattress when you return it.
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