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Can You Go To The Dump And Take Things
Yes it is most landfills have police make rounds after hours and they can arrest you for trespassing, etc. The issue is not just trash is there but most also have close to $1M worth of equipment sitting there not to mention the LF offices, etc. If you re taking metal / copper /wiring /etc from C& D facilities, etc
Break Your Old Mattress Down
Mattresses fill more than 100 million cubic feet of landfill space every year. If you want to dispose of your mattress and box spring in your trash or in a landfill, consider breaking them down first to reduce the amount of space it will take up. Cutting it down may be your only option if you are using a rental dumpster or want to try to dispose of a mattress in your regular trash.
Not all dumpster companies allow mattress disposal, so check before tossing your mattress. You can easily break down a mattress and box spring using some simple tools and elbow grease. Some mattress components such as the metal springs, may be recycled, with the remaining parts like the mattress foam can be disposed of in your trash.
You can also use certain parts for DIY projects. Save some of the wooden slats from box springs for lawn mulch, or shred the polyurethane foam for carpet padding or pet bedding.
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Where To Dispose Of A Mattress
When looking to dispose of a mattress, you will typically find a few options available to you. Most cities and counties have landfills available for drop off, however these are usually located on the perimeter of the city. Some cities also have transfer or eco stations located throughout their urban areas. These can be must easier to access, however often are accompanied with larger lines as well as sometimes with less accurate fees to dispose of your mattresses and other waste. Be sure to do your research of which locations accept mattresses, as well as the dumping fees and recycling fees for these items. Alternatively, Junk 4 Good can make your mattress disappear with ease. Our teams will arrive on site and remove the mattress from its location in your home. We will then make sure the mattress is safely transported to an appropriate recycling facility, all for a simple all-in-one fee.
When Should You Throw Out A Mattress
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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Stains Paints And Lacquers
These are items you are not allowed to place in a rental dumpster, including paint thinners, wood stains, lacquers, etc. However, latex paints are an exception. Simply allow any leftover latex paint you cannot use to solidify . When hardened and dried, you can place it in the dumpster.
The empty paint containers can then be recycled with materials in your curbside bins.
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Why Should You Repurpose Your Old Bed
If you dont know what to do with old mattress, repurposing it saves you a lot of money. It removes the costs associated with recycling or disposing of your old bed. Plus, you can make a few dollars by selling the scrap materials.
However, repurposing your old bed can be time-consuming and messy at the same time. Taking the parts of your old mattress may take a lot of space and time plus selling them takes time as well.
Do you now know what to do with old mattress? Instead of just throwing them away, donate or repurpose your old bed. You are not only earning extra money on the side, but you are also giving others the chance to use your old bed.
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Mattress Fabrics & Fibers
A number of renewable plant and animal fibers including cotton, wool, silk, sisal and coconut fibers are used in mattresses. Another renewable fiber is rayon, which is made from wood and other cellulosic plant fibers. Other textiles and fibers used in mattresses are made from recycled materials.
Recycled Fibers: You can then donate these fibers to clothing stores, thrift shops or art communities. These fibers can also be reused as insulation or filters.
Get Creative with Fibers: You can learn to sew and make clothing and kitchen towels. A very popular type of art is called fiber art that would be a great way to use these materials. View these fiber art products on Etsy to get an idea of different art that has been made with fibers.
**Disassembling a mattress can be dangerous due to sharp objects. Be careful and proceed with caution.
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Paint Cans & Lacquers
Paints and lacquers are prohibited because they can contain lead or mercury, especially if they were manufactured prior to the 1990s. Prohibited paints include paint thinners, lacquers and wood stains.
However, in most municipalities, you can dispose of dry latex paint as long as its wrapped in a plastic bag. Empty paint cans are also usually accepted.
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Can You Recycle A Mattress
At the very least, some parts of your mattress will be recyclable, and its possible that all of it will be. And yet, according to The Furniture Recycling Group, Wembley Stadium could be filled five times with the 7.5m mattresses that are discarded in the UK every year.
While mattress recycling is relatively labour-intensive, more and more facilities capable of doing so are springing up around the UK. These facilities will break down your mattress into its recyclable components springs can then be melted down and remade into new metal products, while synthetic layers such as foam can either be used to make carpet underlay, or else can be sent to a plant where the waste can at least be converted into energy.
Aside from taking your old mattress to your nearest recycling centre yourself, the best way to ensure your mattress is recycled is to pay for it to be collected. But whether you use the local council, the company delivering your new mattress or a specialist mattress removal company, make sure it is clearly stated that the mattress will be recycled. Otherwise, its probably best to assume that it wont be.
Dispose Of With Household Waste
Perhaps none of the above appeal or just simply had no luck with either of the options. If youre able to disassemble it into small enough pieces and can store it for some weeks , you could then dispose of it little by little with the normal household waste. It will obviously take longer to get rid entirely, but will eventually be gone without having to pay any fees.
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How To Repurpose Your Old Mattress
If you want to do the DIY option, you can repurpose your old bed yourself.
Step 1: Prepare the tools you need and arrange receptacles for trash and other materials. Make sure that you have enough space to work on.
Step 2: Cut the exterior of the mattress cover.
Step 3: Remove the layers and sort out the different materials.
Step 4: Dispose of any trash or waste products.
Step 5: You may either reuse these materials or sell them out through Craiglist or Facebook.
Option #: Drop Off : 7 Houston Mattress Recycling Collection Centers
The Houston Furniture bank recycles mattresses in the Houston area and has compiled a large list of locations where you can drop off mattresses for recycling. The drop-off fee is generally around $10/piece. They will take your mattress, physically tear it apart and utilize the recycled materials to produce items such as carpet underlay and recycled metals. Generally 90% of the materials inside any given mattress can be recycled and reused. You can recycle your mattress with the peace of mind that you helped save on average 26 sq.ft. of landfill space per item.
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How To Donate Your Mattress
Another option of what to do with old mattress, especially if your old bed is still in top shape, is to donate them. A lot of charitable institutions are accepting old mattress which is then converted to beds for the needy.
Step 1: Make sure that your bed is in good condition for donation. There should be no obvious stains or broken components.
Step 2: Look for the nearest charitable institution near your place.
Step 3: Get in touch with the organization and ask if they accept mattress donations. If you cannot deliver the mattress, you may also ask if they offer pickups.
Step 4: Donate your old bed and ask for a donation receipt.
Take Your Mattress To A Recycling Centre
According to the consumer rights organisation Which?, more and more mattress recycling facilities are emerging in the UK. Recycling a mattress is hard work, but these facilities can break the mattress down into its recyclable components. Different agents can then prepare them for reuse, whether theyre melting the mattresssprings and repurposing the metal or theyre making the use of synthetic layers as carpet underlay or as energy for plants. Check your local councils website to find the nearest recycling centre to you and see what materials it accepts and doesnt accept. Note that you always need a vehicle to take items into a recycling centre. Bringing them on foot isnt allowed.
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Why Should You Recycle Your Mattress
Every year, Canadians dispose of over 5 million mattresses and box springs into landfills. Weighing an average of about 70 pounds per mattress, this equates to millions of pounds of materials unnecessarily being disposed of and buried in our landfills. Not only does this cause immeasurable harm to our environment, but it costs taxpayers countless dollars to handle, process and dispose of these items every year.
By making the choice to have us remove and recycle your mattresses, you are supporting our employment programs and helping to impact local individuals lives for good! Since 2011, we have been able to invest over $1,000,000+ back into the local community each year, as well as employing over 50 individuals each year.! We are a not-for-profit company, investing 100% of proceeds back into our local community.
How Often Should You Change Your Mattress
If you cant remember how many years youve had your mattress, the chances are its time for a new one. Its all too easy to lose track of how long youve been sleeping on it and, even if it still feels comfortable, its likely to be less supportive and less hygienic than when it was new.
The Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress as often as every seven years, because after that time it will have been subjected to more than 20,000 hours of use. Thats the equivalent of 2,555 nights – which is a lot when you consider that adults lose an average of half a pint of fluid each night, and shed a pound of dead skin cells each year.
But our own durability tests reveal that the best mattresses can last up to a decade without softening, sagging or becoming less supportive. So, as long as you buy a good mattress and clean it regularly, you might only have to change it every 10 years.
Find out how long different types of mattress should last below, or go to our guide on how to clean a mattress.
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Who Can Pick Up An Old Mattress
In theory, almost anyone COULD pick up an old mattress, but this could potentially put you and your family at risk. When looking to get rid of an old mattress you want to make sure you call a qualified, experienced and most importantly, an insured company. Many fly-by-night companies are more than happy to remove your items for a fee, however lots of these operations dont carry appropriate insurance or WCB coverage to make sure you, the customer, is protected. Always make sure you ask these questions when hiring a junk removal service.
State’s Policies For Mattress Removal
Be sure to check your state’s mattress removal policies before disposing of your mattress. For example, some states allow you to set your mattress out with the trash, others plan special mattress disposal days, and some require you to take large items like furniture and mattresses to waste management centers.
Additionally, states like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have mattress recycling programs to prevent mattresses from ending up in a landfill. These programs typically allow residents to call a recycling service to pick up the mattress for free or for a small fee.
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How To Donate A Mattress
Say you’re moving to a new house and don’t want to schlep your mattress from one place to the next, then it’s best to donate any mattresses in good condition to a good cause. But, keep this in mind: Some national organizations like Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity accept nearly everything but mattresses. As for local charities go, there’s a better chance they’ll accept twin mattresses rather than queen or king-sized options due to space constraints.
After you triple-check that it’s free of lumps, rips, or stains, find out the best way to donate your mattress:
- Call any overnight shelters in your area to see if they can accept mattresses, or know another place that can. Just keep in mind that some shelters have strict policies against receiving mattress donations due to the fear of bedbugs.
- Connect with Human Services: Give your town or city’s human services department a call to ask if they’re aware of any local families in need. While they may not want you to deliver the mattress directly to the family, they’ll gladly handle the the transfer.
- Look at your Freecycle network: Put out a call on Freecycle.org to see if anyone in your area is looking for a mattress, and then have them pick it up for free.
- Reach out to friends and family: When all else fails, reach out to the people you know IRL to see if anyone needs a bed upgrade or if they know someone else who does. Some may take it for free, or even offer up a small amount of money in exchange.
Well 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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Option #3 Give And Take
In this option, you can send your old mattress right where your new one came from. Isnt that interesting?
It will be less hassle for you to carry your old mattress out and think of where you should dump it.
Some companies accept this offer, so dont be shy to try it because it is all on you. Mattresses are sometimes still useful.
Thats why some manufacturers would accept old mattresses.
It gives a great idea of giving and take since after they give you your new mattress, they will get the old one as an exchange.
Well not really, but at least they made it easier for you to think of where to dump it.
