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Where To Recycle Bed Mattress

How Long Should Your Mattress Last

How to recycle a mattress

How long should your mattress last? Great question! Over time, every mattress is going to eventually lose its ability to provide the support and comfort you need for a good nights sleep. This means that everyone will need to dispose of their old mattresses a few times during their lifetime.

While the average life span of a mattress is 10 years, the type and quality of the mattress is going to ultimately determine how long your mattress will last. Lesser quality mattresses tend to last an average of 5 to 7 years.

Eco Terra Latex Mattresses last an average of an impressive 15 years.

Ask The Council To Collect Your Mattress

You can ask your local council to collect the mattress. Many provide a bulky waste collection service. Often this includes beds and mattresses. Be aware, however, that this may be expensive. Not only that, your mattress could end up in a local landfill. Many authorities say theyll recycle some of the old waste or as much of it as they can.

Not all councils will charge you. Some offer a free mattress collection service. These are in the minority, however. Why not contact your local council and ask them whether they charge for bulky waste collection?

Often youll have to leave the items in a specific spot outside your house. If youre doing away with your bed and your mattress, these will count as two items. Youll pay a charge for each item.

Donate To A Pet Rescue Center

Humans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from old mattresses. In addition to shelters for people in need, you may also want to check with local animal shelters. They could use your old mattress as beds for animals they’ve rescued who are awaiting adoption. A doggie day care or other similar businesses might also be interested in your old mattress. Call around to see who might take it off your hands.

Or, you can tap into your creative side and turn your mattress into an armchair. Animal shelters have requested armchairs after a video of a dog sitting on one of the comfortable chairs went viral. Again, you’ll need to have the mattress professionally cleaned before donating. However, an animal shelter might not be as concerned about a stain, as long as they know the mattress is clean. Ask if they will send someone to your home to pick it up in exchange for getting it for free.

Also Check: What Is A Good Mattress For Heavy People

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.

Can I Repurpose A Mattress

Mattress Recycling and Reuse: Everything you Need to Know

You can transform your old mattress into something useful, beautiful, and useful in a variety of ways. The ideas listed below can help you re-purpose your old mattress for even longer years of service, broken down by type.

In most communities, mattresses necessitate the collection of a sizable amount of trash. The majority of traditional mattresses require replacement every seven years. It is preferable to disassemble or upcycle your mattress for the sake of the environment. When used in conjunction with 100 percent natural latex foam mattresses, there are numerous benefits. Latex foam has a long lifespan, making it an appealing option for people who are not craftily inclined. Latex foam is easily recyclable, making it an appealing option for people who are not craftily inclined. There are numerous ways to dispose of your old mattress that do not require it to go to waste.

Also Check: What Can I Do With Old Mattress

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Free Mattress Recycling Programs

Some states have free mattress recycling programs available. For example, in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island, the Mattress Recycling Council runs a mattress recycling program called , and statewide laws allow households to drop off old mattresses and box springs at collection sites free of charge .

You can also use ByeByeMattress or other search engines like Earth911 to locate a mattress recycling spot.This interactive mapreveals over 100 mattress recycling centers nationwide.

Some cities offer full-service recycling centers where you can drop off almost anything. If you have more than just a mattress to drop off, or the mattress is too large for you to bring in, you may be able to arrange for pickup from your home — some city and county governments will pick up bulky items curbside upon request, although these may or may not be part of a recycling program.

City recycling programs may charge a fee for dropping off mattresses or box springs. You may or may not need to make an appointment to drop off your mattress.

Green Ways To Recycle Or Repurpose Your Mattresses And Toppers

  • Drop your mattress or toppers at a recycling center.
  • Add a topper to an old uncomfortable mattress and increase its lifespan.
  • Create beds for your dog or cat.
  • Substitute them for a trampoline or a jumping corner.
  • Use it in your guest room.
  • You can cut your old mattresses or toppers into small pieces, stuff them into zippered covers and use them as pillows. At Turmerry, we have zippered pillow covers in sateen and heavy-duty.
  • Use it as a bean bag stuffing alternative.
  • Create lumbar support for chairs and vehicles.
  • Use it as an outdoor daybed or cushioning for your garden bench.
  • Make a cushion topper for your footrest.
  • Give it to a friend or family member.

As you can see, there are so many reasons to keep your old mattress. You should never think about throwing it away without making sure that you’ve exhausted all of your options when it comes to repurposing or recycling. If you don’t want to recycle, donating is another option.

Donate Your Mattress

If you are planning to buy a new mattress, you can donate the old one to relatives, friends, or even charities that accept used mattresses. But, before you consider donating, make sure that your old mattress is in good condition. It will likely have some minor wear and tear, but local charities and non-government organizations may not accept it if it has any major defects.

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How To Stop Illegal Dumping Of Mattresses

It’s important that we all take accountability when recycling a mattress. Because let’s face it: we should all aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible to leave Earth in optimal condition for our kids and future generations.

You can do this by doing your due diligence at the point of purchase right until reaching out to someone to collect sort your garbage out. Wall shares ways that you can recycle with a clear conscience, as Wall outlines:

  • Choose junk haulers wisely: When you work with a junk hauler to remove unwanted items, ask for a receipt and make sure they are disposing of your items legally.
  • Report illegal dumping: If you witness illegal dumping in progress, write down the license plate and vehicle information and immediately call your local authorities to file a report. In some cases, there may even be a reward!
  • Volunteer in local clean-ups: Reach out to local environmental or civic groups that host community clean-up events. And, check out the for mattress collection events in your area.

Break Down & Reuse Your Mattress

RetourMatras 2012 100% Mattress Recycling and Reuse of materials

It may be surprising to hear that you can actually break apart your own mattress and reuse the individual parts. 90% of traditional innerspring mattresses can be reused for handyman or creative DIY projects. Here are a few ideas:

  • Traditional mattresses often contain steel springs. This steel can be melted down and used for parts. Or they can be bundled together and sold for scrap.
  • The foam found in memory foam mattresses can be shredded and repurposed for other furnishings such as couches, chairs, carpet padding, pet bedding, etc.
  • The wooden parts of box springs can be used as firewood, lawn mulch, or parts in other projects.
  • If you choose to break down your old mattress or box spring, please do so with caution! Innersprings or coils contain many sharp parts that can lead to injury. Its advisable to watch atutorial video before you take on such a project.

    Mattress disposal may seem troublesome at first, but hopefully this guide provides a bit of insight into what disposal options are available. However, in the event that these options are not available in your area, you can always call for local junk removal. Junk removal companies are widely available and will attempt to recycle or donate your mattress on your behalf.

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    What To Do With An Old Mattress

    ‘There are many ways to sustainably dispose of old mattresses, from simply using it in another room, having it re-sold, recycled, or donating to charity,’ says Jessica Foster, sustainability & ESG manager, Bensons for Beds , the UK’s largest retailer.

    ‘Recycling your mattress through a bed company is a great option and the mattresses within our scheme at Benson’s are currently dismantled manually – meaning a much better recycling rate than if the process was automated.’

    ‘Around 95% of the materials in Bensons’ mattress recycling program are recycled, to become products in other sectors and the remaining 5% goes to energy from waste. For example, the foam can then be recycled into carpet underlay or insulation, while poly-fiber can be re-used as automotive felt.’

    ‘A key part of our sustainability journey is to reduce the number of mattresses being sent to landfills each year in the UK: in 2019, it was estimated that ~70% of mattresses could end up in landfills. While we expect that figure to have reduced since – partly from increased retailers’ efforts like ours – thats still millions of mattresses per year ending up in landfills, a figure we aim to drastically reduce over years to come.’

    While Angela Moran, ESG director at Silentnight says: ‘Our mattresses are designed so that none should ever end up having to go to landfill. If your mattress no longer provides the comfort and support it once did, its a good idea to replace it,’

    How To Recycle Your Mattress

    Currently, there are over 50 mattress recycling facilities in North America, and their numbers are growing all the time. Earth911.org maintains a directory of facilities, so you can see if there is one in your area. Simply search mattresses and your location. The International Sleep Products Association also hosts a list of mattress recycling facilities.

    Some mattress recyclers only accept beds from retail or manufacturing partners, but many allow individuals to drop off beds or will pick them up for a small fee. Many cities also have annual mattress recycling days or community drop off locations.

    If you are upgrading to a more comfortable mattress, you can also see if your retailer partners with any mattress recycling programs.

    Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Hybrid And Innerspring Mattress

    Frequent Mattress Recycling Questions

    Why should I recycle my mattress?

    Roughly 80% of materials in the average mattress can be easily recycled, yet each year in the U.S., we throw out 15 to 20 million mattresses, and they take up 40 cubic feet of space in a landfill.

    Are thrift stores allowed to sell used mattresses?

    As mentioned above, all local affiliates are different as to what they accept. But assuming that your mattress is 10+ years old and covered in dead skin cells, dont count on donation being an option.

    St. Vincent de Paul has its own recycling program in California and Oregon that recycles 170,000 mattresses and box springs annually, so its possible your local store will accept and ship them for recycling.

    What types of recyclable materials are in mattresses?

    Your standard mattress is comprised of a wood frame, steel springs, polyurethane foam, and fabric. During recycling, the top layer of fabric is cut, peeled, and separated to expose the remaining materials.

    Metal springs are sold as scrap metal, as steel is one of the most commonly recycled materials in the world. The wood is often chipped or used for mulch. The foam can be recycled into carpet padding, and fabrics can be recycled into industrial machinery filters.

    Are box springs recyclable?

    Yes. Box springs are comprised of a wood frame, steel coils, and cotton outer layer . They have a very similar recycling process and are usually accepted with mattresses for recycling.

    How do I dispose of air mattresses and waterbeds?

    Things To Do Before You Dispose Of Your Old Mattress

    Mattress Recycle Australia

    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.

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    Upcycling Your Old Mattress

    Okay, so you have an old mattress that you want to make a fun project out of lets do it! You dont have to toss out a mattress once youre done sleeping on it. In fact, there are plenty of ways to upcycle a mattress, especially if youre a fan of DIY projects or youre just bored right now while youre staying home during social distancing.

    The Fee & Where To Recycle

    • The fee collected per unit in California applies to mattresses and box springs sold as of December 30, 2015. The recycling fee, as approved by the state, is $10.50.
    • California residents can drop off their old mattresses and box springs at no-cost at a participating collection site or event. Unit limits vary by location and a residency restrictions may apply. We recommend contacting the location prior to drop-off.
    • A $3 incentive per unit is available at select locations. It is limited to 5 units per vehicle per day. The incentive is only available for residents dropping off their household units.
    • Businesses may make their own drop-off arrangements with participating recyclers or sites that accept commercial volume. Those with at least 100 units may qualify for no-cost transportation. See the Commercial Volume Program page or contact Mattress Recycling Council for details, [email protected].

    Recommended Reading: What Does A Medium Mattress Feel Like

    What Is Being Done

    The California Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act aims to reduce illegal dumping, increase recycling, and substantially reduce public agency costs for the end-of-use management of used mattresses. The legislation established an industry-run, statewide program to increase the recovery and recycling of mattresses at their end-of-use. Cleanup legislation signed by the governor in September 2014 provides additional clarity regarding definitions, report submittals, and record keeping requirements. The law was further modified in October 2019 through AB 187 to amend definitions, plan, budget, and annual reporting components, and include additional state baseline and goal requirements.

    Upcycle Old Mattress Parts

    Mattress recycling

    Whether youre feeling super creative or are just a handy person , upcycling is always an optionno matter what the item is. But how exactly do you upcycle a mattress? Admittedly, it takes a bit more work than upcycling clothes.

    Start by looking at your mattress through the lens of its raw materials.

    If a mattress recycler is not available in your area, a handy person using tools can safely pull a box spring apart and recover the scrap metal coils, which will be recyclable in almost any community, as scrap metal is a valuable and common recyclable, Matsch says. A crafty person might tear open a mattress to recover the foam and sew a new covering over it to make floor cushions or pet bedding.

    Here are a few fun ideas for what to do with each mattress part, if you go the route of upcycling:

    • Fabric: Make floor cushions, pillows, clothes and rugs.

    • Foam: Use it for pet bedding, cushions, pillows, stuffed animal stuffing and packaging for mailers.

    • Steel coils: Craft them into a wine rack, fencing, shelving, mug rack, headboard or garden trellis.

    • Wood frame: Repurpose it into firewood, mulch, raised garden beds, planters, a compost bin or fence posts.

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    How To Dispose Of Mattresses

    Can you recycle a mattress?

    Ask your mattress retailer if they offer a recycling program or check out independent recycling options or contact Re-Matt, a local mattress recycler .

    A mattress in good condition

    Donate or drop-off a mattress at a charity. Some organizations accept mattresses in good condition for donation. Contact them to confirm.

    Take your mattress to a City landfill. Landfill charges will apply.

    Does The City of Calgary collect mattresses?

    No. We do not collect large pieces of furniture like mattresses, box springs or futons.

    Landfill locations listed below:

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