Where To Throw Out Mattress

How To Dispose Of A Mattress: Free And Paid Options

These are your options for getting rid of an old mattress, from recycling programs to trash pickup.

So it’s time to say goodbye to your worn out old mattress, but you aren’t sure how to dispose of it. While most of us would rather not add to the nearly 20 million mattresses that pile up in landfills every year, the alternatives may be trickier than they appear.

Recycling or donating mattresses seems like a simple enough endeavor, but the task can actually be quite challenging. Per the New York Times, some charities aren’t allowed to accept mattresses due to concerns over bed bugs or health department regulations, certain recycling programs have become less profitable and therefore less available, and many states don’t have recycling programs at all.

Our Health & Wellness newsletter puts the best products, updates and advice in your inbox.

Plus, since foam fluctuates wildly in its profitability, some of the popular online mattress brands offering 100+ night trial periods don’t always stick to their promise of recycling or donating returned mattresses — a claim that potential customers may view as a good reason for purchasing.

However, you do have options when it’s time to get rid of your old mattress. Depending on the condition of the mattress and where you live, you may be able to donate it, recycle it or even have it picked up. Here’s what we recommend.

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.

Never Forget Collection Day Again

Waste collection calendars are delivered to all homes in the County by Canada Post in late February to early March. If you do not receive a copy:

• Download the Quick Guide

You can also download our Strathcona County waste app, where you can see your waste collection day and set up collection reminders.

Use the calendar widget below to find your collection schedule and set a reminder. You can also create a one-page printable calendar for your fridge. Simply search for your address below and then choose “get calendar.”

Don’t Miss: Wyoming King Bed Mattress For Sale

Can I Throw Away My Cut

Americans get rid of nearly 20 million mattresses each year! The number of disposed mattresses has increased over the past several years due to demand for new bedding.

The current supply of mattresses in the country can cover nearly 132,000 square miles of land. With more and more mattresses finding their way to landfills, can you throw away your cut-up foam mattress?

The answer is yes, but its complicated. It depends on the environmental laws of the state and city where you live. State and local governments have created stringent regulations that not only describe what kind of materials that you can throw away, but also how much of the materials qualify for the nearest government bulk item drop-off center.

How To Properly Throw Away A Mattress

So, now youre asking yourself, what do I do with the old mattress and box spring? Chances are if has been used for several years that a mattress pickup and disposal service will have to be called. Just give Quikhaul LLC® a call at 910-475-7000 and schedule an appointment for mattress removal. They will pick it up, along with any other you have, at the curb and dispose of it at the local landfill for you. Certain household goods, like a mattress, require special treatment for recycling. Thats why there is an extra charge incurred at the local landfill.

Recommended Reading: Do Purple Mattresses Need Box Springs

How Casper Can Help

One of the best things about Casper mattresses is that our limited warranty covers the full 10 years. So, youre guaranteed to have restful sleep for a full decade. We believe that improving the way the world sleeps also means improving our impact on the environment. Thats why we created a bedding recycling program called Resnooze & Recycle. If youre looking to get rid of your old bedding, all you have to do is follow three simple steps:

Its a win, win. If youre looking to buy a new mattress, Casper mattresses are specifically designed to last long-term, with comfort in mind.

Take The Mattress Apart And Get Crafty

Whats more environmentally-conscious than repurposing?

Equip yourself with the right tools, some patience, and get started.

According to zero waste thinker Antonia, you can turn the mattress into a fun DIY project. Its can be time-consuming, but if youre willing to work at it, it can also be worth it. For example, an old bed frame can become new again in numerous ways.

One way to go about this is to tear up the used mattress with a razor blade knife. Beware of sharp parts. Use protective eyewear and gloves to keep yourself safe. If you want the maximum usage potential from the materials, do your best to find and cut along the seams where the fabric was initially sewn together.

Then, let creativity take its course:

There are countless ideas. Let your imagination go to work and see what you come up with. And when you come up with something fun, take pictures and video and share it with us and the world!.

A wine rack made from old bed spring coils and wood

A bed frame

Use foam from an old mattress as padding when moving

Don’t Miss: Casper Mattress Slats

The Best Mattress Services Nationwide

Whenever you need a mattress broken down or removed, save your energy and let background checked professionals do the handiwork. Whether its carefully cutting the memory foam or hauling off your king mattress, youll know youre in good hands. For prices often 20 30% less than other junk haulers, schedule an affordable mattress removal service with Mattress Disposal Plus today.

Ready to take care of the mattress?BOOK ONLINE

Related Articles from the Trash Talk Blog:

How Long Should A Mattress Last

According to Consumer Reports, theres no one-size-fits-all timeline for when you need to replace a mattress, but a good mattress can last around 10 years. A mattress that you have used consistently for seven years or more warrants an evaluation.

Your personal timeline for getting a new mattress will depend on a number of factors including how sensitive you are to changes in your mattress, whether you suffer from any health issues such as back pain, whether your sleeping situation changes , and whether you prefer a soft, firm, or bouncy-feeling mattress.

Recommended Reading: Can Purple Mattress Go On A Box Spring

Check For Your Citys Disposal Guidelines

Knowing your citys rules and regulations on removing your old mattress can save you from having to pay a fine of $100. As mentioned earlier, there are strict regulations on mattress disposal in New York. You are not allowed to just leave your old mattress out on the curb without scheduling an appointment with the DSNY to collect it. Your old mattress also needs to be properly sealed before you take it out for collection.

Donate It To A Furniture Bank

• Cost: Free to $150
• Method: Likely they pick up , possibly you drop off

Here are furniture banks we found across Canada:

Know of one that isnt listed? Let us know and well add it.

A furniture bank is a charitable social enterprise that redistributes lightly used furniture and housewares from members of the community who are replacing or downsizing to individuals and families who are unable to furnish their house.

While they charge a fee for pick up, they typically handle the entire process: pick up, inspection, minor repairs, storage and eventual delivery of the items. It is usually cheaper than a junk removal service, they provide charitable donation receipts for the fair market value of the mattress, and you can feel good knowing it was used to help a local family, rather than being broken down and recycled.

The donation receipts are typically flat predetermined values that are non-negotiable. For example, the Niagara Furniture Bank issues $146 for a queen box spring and $167 for a queen mattress.

The clients referred to furniture banks through social service agencies are newly housed:

• After leaving a shelter or transitional housing
• Victims fleeing domestic violence or abuse
• New immigrant or refugee families arriving in Canada
• Suffering a crisis/loss due to house fire, flood or pests
• Struggling with mental illness
• Families living below the poverty line

Also Check: Casper Bed Box Spring

How To Figure Out When It’s Time For A New Mattress

Before you plan how to get rid of your mattress, you should consider whether you actually need to dispose of it.

Generally, people get rid of mattresses when they purchase a new one. Here are a few signs that it may be time to buy a new mattress:

• Sagging: If your mattress has begun sagging in the middle, it can no longer provide adequate support. Buying a new one can save you the back pain that may occur when sleeping on an unsupportive mattress.
• Discoloration: Mattresses typically change color slightly over time due to the oxidation of the outer cover. However, if your mattress is excessively discolored, it may be time for a new one.
• Allergies: Innerspring mattresses accumulate dust, dirt, skin cells, hair, and other allergens over time. If you’ve begun experiencing allergies in the mornings, it could be time to replace your mattress with a fresh, allergen-free one.

Find Out More:How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?

How To Dispose And Get Rid Of An Old Mattress

Eachnight may earn commissions for products you purchase through our links. Our articles and reviews include affiliate links and advertisements, including amerisleep advertising. Learn more

About 40 million mattresses are thrown out each year, with most ending up in a local landfill. Old mattresses can take up to 120 years to decompose, taking up landfill space. Before throwing out a worn mattress, consider if the bed is still in good condition. Can it be donated instead? And if not, is there a mattress recycling program near me?

If a mattress is still in good shape, it can be donated to a local charity or thrift store. Recycling a bed can cut down on waste.

Don’t Miss: Do Mattresses Soften Over Time

How To Dispose Of Your Air Mattress

Just follow these simple steps:

Ideally, dispose of an unused blow-up mattress by taking it to a recycling collection site where appliances are collected, or to your local waste-management authority depending on what is available in your community.

If you cannot do this, the following option will work: The best way to dispose of a blow-up/air mattress is to place it in a sealed garbage bag and then into your regular curbside trash can .

Fall Yard Waste Collection Extended

In recognition of the late fall weather in Richmond Hill this year, the City has added one more week of yard waste collection to the schedule. The final yard waste collection of 2021 will now take place the week of December 14 on your regular waste collection day.

Please note, as the original yard waste collection schedule ended the week of November 30, there will be no yard waste collection the week of December 7.

Also Check: Purple Mattress Payments

Find A Specialized Recycling Program To Get Rid Of A Mattress

If youre not able to sell or donate your mattress, check with your city to see what your options are to get rid of a mattress. Many municipalities offer recycling programs themselves, or can point you in the direction of a local recycler. Some cities will even pick up your used mattress curbside and dispose of it appropriately.

Ways To Get Rid Of Your Old Mattress

When a mattress has been used beyond its term, and it offers more pain than comfort, its probably a good idea to toss it out and get a better one. Whether a person is simply replacing their mattress because it wasnt comfortable enough anymore, or they decided to toss it out as a larger home cleaning project, finding the correct route of disposal is essential.

It can be tricky to find an efficient way to dispose of large pieces of furniture and mattresses. The urgency to get rid of a mattress is often very high because they take up so much space, and a bare mattress is often unsightly and cannot just be left in the house for everyone to stare at.

Luckily, there are quite a few safe, fast, and easy ways for a person to get rid of their mattresses. Lets examine the top 5 ways you can dispose of old mattresses from your home.

Also Check: Casper Mattress Foundation

Determine The Fate Of Your Mattress

First and foremost, check the condition of your old mattress before you make a decision. Depending on the condition of your mattress, you can choose to recycle it for reuse of its parts, donate it to a shelter or charitable organization, or send it straight to the landfill. It helps to do a little bit of research on the recycling or charitable programs in your area so you know how to best dispose of your mattress.

How Long Does A Mattress Last

Most high-quality mattresses last between 7 to 9 years. How long a mattress will last is also reflected in the warranty. Warranties give an idea of how long a mattress will last. Most warranties cover defects and sagging greater than 1 inch. This measurement depends on the brand.

The lifespan of a bed also depends on the mattress type.

• Memory Foam: 7 to 9 years
• Innerspring: 5 to 7 years
• Hybrid: 7 to 9 years
• Latex: 8 to 10 years

Latex is the most durable mattress type, especially if it contains natural latex. Natural latex lasts longer than other materials. Innersprings are the least durable. Innerspring coils break down faster, leading to sagging.

When purchasing a new mattress, some companies offer white glove delivery serviceprofessionals set up your new bed and take the old one either free of charge or for an extra fee.

Bedding accessories, like mattress protectors and mattress toppers, may extend the life of your current mattress.

Mattress protectors shield the bed from spills and stains, and may also protect your warranty. Most warranties are void in light of liquid damage. Mattress protectors are budget-friendly, costing between $20 to $40.

A protector is also machine-washableinstead of shelling out money to replace a mattress, simply remove the mattress protector and place it in the washing machine. Helpful, since cleaning a mattress the right way is mostly surface-level cleaning.

Don’t Miss: Texas King Memory Foam Mattress

Compare Mattress Disposal Service Prices

Most junk removal companies offer mattress disposal services. These services include at-home pickups where they send professionals to haul your mattress away. They also include recycling services, making sure your item gets sent to the recycler instead of a landfill. However, pricing can be complicated. Some companies charge by weight of the load or by item only. Depending on what you want recycled, and the quantity, certain services may be more suitable for your needs.

What If There Is A Fiberglass Fire Barrier

This is important to consider when youre cutting up your mattress, as you could potentially get fiberglass everywhere if youre not too careful. Be sure to carefully dispose or recycle the material after removing it. If youre not entirely sure how to handle it, you could consult with a local recycling center as to what to do.

Read Also: Wyoming King Bed Frame

How To Recycle An Old Mattress

The eco-friendly option for mattress disposal is recycling your old mattress.

Since there are so many mattress companies and options, mattresses are made of varying kinds of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, wool, various foams and fabrics, and even animal hair.

If you take these various mattress components apart, you can often recycle most or all of your mattress to build new products, sell to scrap, or simply add to your firewood pile.

If you dont want to go to the trouble of taking your old mattress apart, there are recycling facilities that dispose of old mattresses properly.

They break the mattress down into its recyclable components and organize them by type.

If you are thinking to go the recycling route, here are some ways to find a recycling center near you:

• Earth 911. The program finds the closest recycling facilities based on your zip code.
• Heres a list of 100 recyclers to help you find the best option in your area.