Can I Recycle An Old Mattress
Recycling an old mattress is not straightforward. They are made from many different materials including wood, metal or plastic springs, foam, padding, and fabric. Old mattresses are also big and heavy. Currently in the Auckland area there are no official mattress recycling schemes in place. Many of them literally end up in our landfills and will end up being buried.If you can manage to lift and carry your old mattress and you have a trailer or a vehicle big enough to transport it safely, then you have several options.
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.
Does Anyone Remove Furniture For Free
A: Many local charities like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity will take gently used furniture. You can also use the app NextDoor Neighbor to see if anyone is in need or wants free furniture. Lastly, you could check with local civic or church groups, as some have furniture banks.Feb 23, 2021
As a benchmark, it is standard to tip a furniture delivery person $5 to $10 for their work. With this, it is suggested to tip more depending on the complexity of the delivery job. A few factors to consider might be the size and weight of the unit and if the delivery involves multiple pieces of furniture.
Read Also: How To Get A Good Mattress For Cheap
Recommended Reading: What Is A Plush Hybrid Mattress
Browse Sleep Number Customer Reviews
Going with the C2 and adding my own bells and whistles
Very grateful for Candid Reviewers advice. We were interested in the C2 after seeing the excellent rating it received from Consumer Reports, with high marks for durability, side and back sleeping. We went to the sleep number store, stuck to our plan and avoided being up- sold, and bought both the recommended fiber topper and a gel topper to experiment with once the C2 arrives. We also are using our old metal frame with a queen-size bunkie board , for a nice savings compared to the $300 foundation from sleep number. More $ for new sheets and bedding!
Not perfect but best mattress Ive had in.well ever.
I will not buy any other bed again.
Best bed I ever had. Im a big person 300 Plus poundsAt year 10 the pump went out and I calledthey still had my info and sold me a new pump at 1/2 price. Its went through 2 moves and is still great! My husband is also big so it stands up to heavy folks. Folks on the phone were friendly and helpful. Im looking now to buy my son one.
So far, So Good!
Warning: Sleep Number Beds Last Only 6 Years
I wish I had not purchased this bed since I cannot find a good sleep position and will purchase another mattress
One moth in and love it, after a few tweaks
DO NOT BUY THIS BED!!!! READ YOUR WARRANTY!!!
BUYER BEWARE!!
ONLY buy the C2 mattress, no upgrades
DO NOT BUY
Love the bed, hate the technology
A review 6 years in the making
Delivery / Service
Taking The Mattress To The Landfill
If your is able to transport your mattress themselves, you may want to take it directly to the landfill rather than waiting for a trash pickup service to collect it. Your local landfill or dump may charge a fee to accept the mattress.
Pros
You may be able to take a mattress to the landfill on your own time, rather than waiting for a scheduled pickup appointment or bulk trash day.
Cons
You need to transport the mattress themselves, which will typically require a large vehicle. You may have to pay a fee for the landfill to accept the mattress.
Additionally, this is not a great option from an environmental standpoint. Landfills are already overflowing with waste, and mattresses contribute to that problem. According to a Seattle Times article, mattresses can cause issues for landfill equipment during garbage compaction: Mattresses dont compact well. Even worse, the mattress springs pop out and get tangled in the equipment, often damaging it.
Read Also: How Much Do Nectar Mattresses Cost
Best Way To Remove Old Furniture Items
Because getting rid of the old furniture when replacing it can be such a hassle, many people to solve their problem.
In most cases, you would use a junk removal company if you have bulky items to get rid of that wont fit in your garbage bin or several items of small, miscellaneous junk.
Hiring a junk removal company is like hiring movers, except your old patio furniture gets taken away forever instead of being taken to your new home.
Junk removal is by far the easiest option for getting rid of bulky junk items such as old furniture. Junk removal companies have one thing in common: they pick up and dispose of things that people no longer need, want, or have room for.
This makes junk removal the perfect solution for getting rid of old furniture when the furniture company you are buying from doesnt offer that service.
Looking for top-rated furniture removal?BOOK A PICKUP
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.
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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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Take The Mattress Apart Yourself And Recycle
If you aren’t able to find a recycling or donation site for your old mattress, there’s always a chance you can take it apart and recycle the components yourself. For example, you could take out the metal springs or coils in the mattress and take them in for scrap recycling , or you could take the foam in to be shredded in order to make new memory foam or other products. The wooden frame as well as any natural or synthetic fabrics used may also be recyclable.
Before you start hacking up your mattress, it’s probably a good idea to consult a DIY site to get full details on how to disassemble your mattress. It’s no easy task, and the pros can show you how to streamline the process.
Creative repurposing can turn old mattresses into new furniture, holiday decorations or even works of art.
Read Also: How Often Do You Replace A Mattress
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.
Specialist Furniture Removal Companies
If you want to get rid of your old mattress quickly, affordably, and without trouble, your best bet is to hire a professional rubbish disposal business like RecycleZone to do the job for you. Most companies also offer other furniture disposal services too, which is ideal if you are having a clear-out.
Get in touch now to schedule your mattress removal.
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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.
Option : Break It Down And Reuse It
Did you know that 90% of traditional innerspring mattresses can be reused? Mattresses that are disassembled and broken down provide parts that can be recycled, sold for scrap, or used around your home for handyman projects.
Just some of the parts of an innerspring mattress that can be reused include:
Steel springs can be bundled and sold as scrap to be reincarnated as new steel components, such as wind turbines.
Foam material can be reused as carpet padding or moving blankets, and when recycled, it can be used as a biomass fuel source.
Wood parts can be broken down and reused as landscaping mulch, stuffing for pet beds, or scrap material for a variety of projects in both the house and the garage.
If you decide to repurpose some of the parts of your old mattress, you can learn how to disassemble it step-by-step by watching this how-to video on breaking down a mattress for parts.
Note: Disassembled innerspring mattresses contain sharp components. Be sure to use caution!
Have a memory foam mattress? They can be shredded and reused in couch cushions, carpet padding, or even building insulation. And you can even make a little extra cash by selling that shredded foam!
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Find A Good Charity For Donating Mattresses
One good way to find charities in need of mattresses is to go through sites like Donation Town.
This is pretty similar to Earth 911 and Bye Bye Mattress, in that it finds organizations near you willing to take decent-quality beds and mattresses off your hands.
There are a lot of reasons why people might need a new mattress, but be unable to afford one.
Homeless people.
People in transition.
Refugees.
Having a quality mattress under your back is often one of the first steps to getting back on your feet.
Your battered mattress could help change a life.
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, youll 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 cant simply place your mattress in a dumpsterdoing so could leave you with up to $10,000 in fines or even incarceration.
Instead, youll 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. Youll want to be sure you understand your citys policies before proceeding.
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What Else Can I Do This Recycling Day
If youre conscious about the impact your bed-buying habits are having on the environment, look for organisations who boast about their recycling practices.
At Ely Mattresses, well take away your old mattress for recycling, and were very proud to declare that our mattresses are made from recyclable materials. We take our impact on the environment extremely seriously and love to declare it.
Who Will Take My Old Mattress Away
Getting rid of an old mattress is a difficult chore for many, mainly due to the conflicting information around how to dispose of it independently or who will take their old mattress away.
Many people opt to pay a company to take the item away as its frequently the quickest and easiest alternative to figuring out what to do with it themselves. But, without causing fly-tipping, what choices are out there that are not only inexpensive, but reliable too?
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How Do I Get Rid Of An Old Mattress
If youve purchased your mattress from a brick and mortar store like a furniture or mattress store, you are most likely having the mattress delivered to your home. Nearly every retail store will include the removal of your old mattress in the price of delivery if you desire. Check with the salesperson when you are setting up delivery and make sure they can remove your old mattress. You may also want to check that they follow through with recycling old mattress they pick up and they do not just end up at the dump and then a landfill.
If it is a smaller independent mattress retailer, they may or may not be taking the extra steps to haul mattresses to a recycling center that accepts them. Usually, larger chains are set up to take them to a recycling center where they are disassembled, and whatever parts can be recycled are separated. This is usually a free service or included with delivery costs, and would be the simplest, least complicated way to get rid of that old worn-out mattress. You wont have to wrap or load up a large, heavy mattress, so if this is a possibility save your back and some time. Let the professionals remove it for you.
How To Get Rid Of An Old Mattress
If you got rid of an old mattress recently and just tossed it because you didnt know any better and thought it was your only option, let us help you find a better solution. The details surrounding how to properly get rid of an old mattress might not have been clear before, but there are multiple ways to do it in Seattle. Ahead, find a complete guide to how to recycle and or repurpose your old mattresses if you live in the Seattle area. This guide will include:
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Assess The Quality Of Your Mattress
Your mattress may be relatively new, but it may not properly accommodate your sleeping style.
If your mattress is not necessarily out of life, it just is not the right one for you, it may be worth donating to someone else for whom it will be right.
Organizations like Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity will sometimes accept mattress donations if it is in relatively good quality, but be honest about the state of your mattress.
While it might sound easy to just drop off your old mattress, do not saddle a non-profit with your mattress if it will not serve someone in need, but also do not assume that just because the mattress is not working for you it can’t provide someone else with a good night’s sleep.
This is a great way to help reduce waste but more often than not, if a mattress is giving you persistent issues , the quality has probably degraded to a point where it is not salvageable.
Nothing lasts forever, think about how long you have had your mattress. Even a high end one may not last more than around 7 years. If it has been in the neighborhood of this long since you replaced your mattress, it has likely run its course. According to Mattress Insider Company founder Jonathan Prichard, keeping an old mattress around for too long can lead to a number of risks to hygiene and health.
If you’ve decided you need a new mattress, you’ll need to discover the best, most-economical way of disposing your old mattress.
