Where To Take Old Mattresses

The Complete Mattress Disposal Guide

Wondering how to get rid of that old mattress? Despite being bulky and heavy, there are several convenient ways to dispose of mattresses, including renting a dumpster, donating and recycling it.

A gently-used mattress can be donated, but if yours is old and worn out, youâll need to throw it away. Weâve compiled the best mattress and box spring disposal options so you can find the most efficient method for your needs.

The Mattress Landfill Crisis: How The Race To Bring Us Better Beds Led To A Recycling Nightmare

As the sleep economy grows, online companies vie to sell us new mattresses, offering 100-day returns. This has helped create an impossible waste mountain and a wild west of rogue recyclers

Mike Scollick and Richard Allsopp are talking about the worst things they ever found in a mattress. We had one where I think a dog had been lying on it, and the whole thing was just jumping with fleas, Allsopp says, shuddering. No one would touch it, so they had to use a cherry picker to move it. But thats not the worst of it, Scollick says: I stripped the cover off one once and it looked like somebody Died, interjects Allsopp.

Its fair to say you need a strong stomach to be in the mattress recycling game. Which Scollick and Allsopp have, along with several million pounds worth of equipment in their Coventry warehouse. I have come to see Circom, their mattress recycling firm, at work. Its a dirty but noble enterprise: Circom is one of only a handful of recyclers tackling the UKs ever-growing mattress problem.

And its not just a British problem. Mattresses are a global environmental nightmare. The US throws away 18.2m mattresses a year, but there are only 56 facilities available to recycle them.

Changing consumer behaviour is behind this ever-growing mattress mountain. Time was, you would change your mattress every eight to 10 years. But with online retailers offering more choice than ever, we have learned to expect better mattresses, and to replace them more frequently.

What To Do With Old Mattress: 11 Ways To Dispose Them

Mattresses are some of the big-ticket purchases every household will make from time to time. While youll only, ideally, need to replace this piece of furniture every 8 to ten years, dealing with your old unit can still cause some headache. Its size, weight, and other traits make it complicated to dispose of.

What to do with old mattress, you ask? The disposal of these hulking pieces can be quite tricky, so let us help you address this concern fully.

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Rent A Roll Off Dumpster

If youâre getting rid of an old mattress as part of a home cleanout, renting a dumpster is a great option for disposing of all your junk at once. With a dumpster rental on your property, you can easily carry your mattress, box spring and other materials into the container and have it all hauled away when youâre done cleaning up. Budget Dumpsterâs services are a cost-effective junk removal option, and you can keep your dumpster on-site for a weekend or longer and work at your own pace.

Ready to Rent a Dumpster?

How To Tell If Your Mattress Is Worn Out

When is it really time for you to get a new mattress? The National Sleep Foundation tells us that more than 90% of people know that their quality of sleep depends on the quality of the mattress they choose to sleep on. Many tend to delay buying a new mattress due to the cost. The fact that mattresses are costly, makes it easier for people to sleep on their old mattress for much longer than they really should.

So is it time for you to get a new mattress? The answer is yes if:

• You often wake up tired and/or achy
• Your mattress is sagging and/or lumpy in areas
• Your mattress is tearing and/or ripping

Eco Terra Latex Mattresses come with a 15-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee.

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How To Dispose Of A Mattress

While trying to find the best mattress for you can be frustrating, every mattress owner inevitably reaches the point where its clear that its time to level up. Some people decide to switch out their mattress because theyre interested in a new model or mattress type, and some people seek out a new mattress because their comfort requirements have changed over time, because of factors like age, losing or gaining weight, and/or injuries. However, even someone who isnt particularly interested in other mattresses will need to replace their mattress eventually.

There are a number of different ways to get rid of a used mattress, from recycling to donation to throwing it away. The method thats right for you depends on a number of different factors, especially the state of the mattress, where you are located, and which facilities are close by offering which types of disposal and donation services.

Well break down the different methods of mattress disposal, how to choose the right one for you, and how to go about getting the disposal job done.

Will My Trash Company Take My Old Mattress

Getting a new mattress helps you enjoy a better nights sleep. Over time, mattresses wear out and develop indentations and other problems that can wreak havoc on your back. Since mattresses tend to last between five and ten years, theyve usually gone through so much wear and tear that reselling them isnt possible. Unfortunately, this creates quite a problem, since mattressesincluding the top mattress along with box springscreate quite a bit of bulk and take up a lot of space. In most cases, waste management companies wont pick up mattresses with regular trash because they fill up their trucks so quickly. Find out exactly how to get rid of your mattress in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way so you can get back to enjoying your new one.

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Can I Get Money For My Old Mattress

What if your mattress is in such a good condition that you think you may still be able to attach a modest price tag? We recommend circling back to the third party resale websites mentioned above. Instead of posting your mattress for free, enlist it as for sale. You can experiment with the price a bit here, as well. If your original price does not get any responses from potential buyers, you can slowly reduce it over time until someone takes the bait. Otherwise, you may have to eventually resign yourself to giving it away for free.

How To Donate An Old Mattress

If your mattress is still in good shape, there are people in need who can benefit from a second-hand mattress. If you want to do a good deed, your mattress donation can help.

Here are a few things to have in mind if you are donating.

First, make sure the mattress is in decent condition. You obviously cant donate a mattress that has bedbugs. Also, the mattress should have a well-attached and clean cover .

Next, search for local branches of the following charity organizations: :

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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.

How To Throw Away A Mattress

If none of the above options works for you, your last resort would be to throw away the mattress. This option is best suited for mattresses that are no longer usable, are excessively dirty, or have experienced bed-bug contamination. If your mattress is in an unsafe or unsanitary condition, disposing of it can reduce the risk of spreading this contamination elsewhere.

While throwing your mattress away may seem like the easiest option, you’ll still need to follow specific procedures to dispose of the bed properly. For example, you may not realize that dumping a mattress is illegal in most cities. You can’t simply place your mattress in a dumpsterdoing so could leave you with up to $10,000 in fines or even incarceration.

Instead, you’ll need to dispose of your mattress in one of four ways:

• Taking it to a landfill
• Setting the bed out on heavy trash day
• Breaking it down and throwing it away in garbage bags

Keep in mind that the availability of each of these options depends on your local waste removal regulations. You’ll want to be sure you understand your city’s policies before proceeding.

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How To Dispose Of Your Mattress

Ideally, a mattress would last forever. But the sad truth is that mattresses change over time and will eventually need replacing.

The process of researching which comfortable new mattress to buy is the fun part but then you have to figure out what on earth to do with the old one that you dont need anymore.

Some retailers, including Raymour & Flanigan, Casper, 1-800 Mattress, and Mattress Firm, will offer a removal service for an old mattress when they deliver the new one. But thats not the case with every retailer, so whats the best way to dispose of a mattress in that scenario?

This article will cover how you can tell when its time to replace your mattress and dive into the options available for mattress disposal including large trash pickup, donation, and recycling. We will also offer tips for selecting a new mattress and how best to care for your mattress to keep it functional for as long as possible.

What Are Mattresses Made From

Mattresses generally fall into two main types, those with a spring called an innerspring and those made from memory foam.

Mattresses with an innerspring have a core that is made of steel coil springs or coils. The coils are covered in various layers that provide a foundation and cushioning to the mattress. There is usually a fabric cover that helps hold it all together. The number of layers and types of materials can vary quite a bit depending on the mattress manufacturer and their design. If you chose a soft mattress for example it may have quite a few layers on top of the springs.

On average an innerspring mattress is made from:

• 12.5kg of steel
• 2kg of wood
• 1.5kg of foam

Foam mattresses are made from polyurethane foams, latex rubber foams or viscoelastic foams, this last one is better known as memory foam.

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Can You Donate Mattresses

First things first, is it possible to donate old mattresses or only new ones? The answer is yes, you can donate an old bed but only if it meets certain standards. While donating a mattress may seem like a good idea regardless of its condition, this is not the case. Mattresses can only be accepted as a donation if they are still in fairly good condition. A mattress with any rips, tears, discolorations, stains, or deep compressions will be rejected in most organizations. This is because mattresses are hard to transport and dispose of. Hence, they want the recipients to get as much use as possible out of each donation.

This might go without saying, but no one will accept a donated mattress, in any condition, if it has any evidence of being infested with bed bugs. A mattress that could possibly be contaminated with bed bugs or even dust mites should immediately go to the landfill site or dump.

How To Dispose Of Your Old Mattress

Is it time to buy a new mattress? Are you wondering what to do with your old mattress? The sheer size of a mattress, not to mention the weight, can make it difficult for you to move your mattress, even if you have help. The reason why theres a growing need for learning how to dispose of an old mattress, is because so many people are now buying their new mattresses online. While buying a mattress online is the preferred way to buy a new mattress nowadays, it’s harder to find someone who can take away the old mattress when a new mattress is delivered.

Questions you should ask yourself in assessing the condition of your present mattress: How long have you owned it? Do you wake up in pain? Do you toss and turn at night?

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Buying A New Bed And Bed Bugs

If youre purchasing a new bed, some retailers might haul away your old mattress when they deliver your new mattress. However, usually, only physical retail outlets will provide this service.

If youre buying a new mattress from an online shop that mails your new mattress in a box, most of the time, the responsibility for your old mattress falls on you. Although with Leesa Mattress, our favorite eco-friendly mattress company , you can request a White Glove Delivery service in which they will take away your old mattress and recycle it for you .

Another important consideration when purchasing a new mattress, its effect on your health! Many mattresses contain organohalogen flame retardants which the Consumer Product Safety Commission has deemed as carcinogens. Theyve gone so far as to recommend pregnant women and children avoid mattresses with OFRs. Dont panic! Several companies make Eco-friendly mattresses. This guide will help you find a toxin-free mattress thats safe for your family and the planet.

A not so exciting topic, but important and mattress related: bed bugs! We all want to keep our current mattress in good condition and critter-free. Also, if youre buying a used mattress, youll want to make sure you do your due diligence and inspect the mattress for a potential bed bug infestation. So, what can you do about bed bugs?

The Answer To Old Mattresses In Your House

If your old mattress needs to be thrown away, our team of professionals will remove it from your house and properly dispose of it. Dont wait any longer to free up that space occupied by old mattresses in your basement or attic.

We provide old furniture removal services in Philadelphia, PA, and surroundings. Take your old mattress, bed frame, and other furniture to a proper destination, as we are recycling experts. Youll have everything ready for your next set of bedroom furniture.

Recommended Reading: The Casper Foundation

Sustainable Ways To Dispose Of Your Mattress

As with any material, its always best to follow the zero-waste hierarchy. In this model, its better to first design products with end-of-life management in mind.

This would involve, for example, building a computer knowing exactly how each of its components will be managed after the computer reaches the end of its usable life. These sustainable product design practices are the manufacturers responsibility. Meliora is an example of how concerned entrepreneurs can develop a business that considers the environmental impact of its products.

As a consumer, your first opportunity to make the greatest impact is to engage in conscious consumerism by reducing your consumption or purchasing products designed with sustainability in mind.

Donate Your Mattress To Charity

Before you throw out your mattress, consider its condition. Even if it isnt working for your sleep pattern, it may be useful to others as long as it is clean and in a sellable condition and make a huge difference to someone else.

Some charities welcome donations of old mattresses, and it might be a great way to help them raise some much-needed funds at the same time. By giving it to them, you can be assured that your mattress will be given to someone in need, as they make this valuable item available at a low cost.

Keep in mind that it must fulfil specific standards for your mattress to be accepted for donation. Typically, youll want to double-check that the fire label is clean and undamaged.

Here are a few charities that accept mattress donations:

• British Red Cross In certain regions, free pick-up is offered, so it is always best to check with your local store.
• Emmaus There are 29 Emmaus centres around the UK, all of which provide free collection, so its worth checking if theres one near you.
• British Heart Foundation If they are interested in the item, they will come to your home and retrieve your mattress for free before selling it at their store.

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