Do Not Throw Your Used Mattress Into the Trash Can
Some items, such as a plastic bottle or newspaper, are easy to dispose of. Other things are a lot more complicated simply because they probably won’t fit in your regular bin – like a king size mattress.
Believe it or not, recycling a used mattress is easier than you think, but there is often a common misconception that we should throw them away. Who needs our old mattresses anyway?
It turns out a lot of people. Mattresses, from box springs to foam, contain a valuable recyclable material that can be used in a variety of ways, including as carpeting and clothing .
If you’ve ever wanted to recycle your mattress, here are some ways to do it.
Go to the nearest waste collection point
If you want to dispose of a mattress, you should find out which recycling businesses in your area actually accept used mattresses using the Bye Bye Mattress locator or 911 search. (If it’s in the neighborhood, there’s no reason you can’t carry the mattress there yourself.)
The next step is to search the Internet for local waste disposal programs. These programs accept larger objects than average junk and often require an appointment.
Once you find your local bulk waste program, you should contact them to see if mattresses are accepted and sent to a recycling facility. If they offer a disposal option, they will take it to the facility on your behalf. (This is usually also a free service.)
Often times, you might be responsible for sealing the mattress in a plastic bag to avoid bed bugs. This plastic can usually be found in hardware stores.
Find a junk mail removal service
If you find that your bulk waste recycling program does not accept mattresses for recycling and throws them in the bin, your next step is to find a waste collection service.
You can perform an Internet search local businesses to remove junk email , or use a national program, such as 1-800-GOT-JUNK and the Load the Up . Both programs will deliver or donate your mattresses to nearby recycling facilities. It should be noted that your mattress must not be stained , wet, or infested with bed bugs if you intend to recycle or donate it. In this case, you may have no choice but to let him find his sad path to the junkyard.
All of this will require a small fee – depending on the weight of your mattress – or a flat fee per item, according to Tuck (anywhere from $ 30 to $ 40).
In some states it is easier for you too. California will allow any business or individual to donate old mattresses to institutions and provide you with a little financial incentive. (The State of California also charges a $ 10.50 fee on the purchase of a new mattress to fund its recycling program.)
Ask for a replacement mattress manufacturer to take it.
So you’ve found a new mattress! The company will often offer to collect your old mattress. In such cases, ask to return the mattress to the nearest recycling center. Before they deliver you a new mattress, you should inform them that you would like to use the takeaway service, as many companies may require advance notice. You can also incur a small fee. ( The customer service department estimates it at $ 30. Some companies, such as Casper , provide this service for free.)
Also be sure to check the warranty on your old mattress. If it’s still under warranty, you can file a claim and have the mattress company send it to a recycling facility. Ikea, for example, has a 25-year warranty on some of its mattresses, which means a lot of people are likely to throw out Ikea beds well before the warranty expires. For instructions on how to file a claim, you can visit the Tuck website.
Donate your mattress
If all else fails, donating a mattress is just as valuable as recycling it. Generally, Salvation Army and Goodwill stores do not accept used mattresses. Instead, you can use the DonationTown.org locator to find nearby charities that will accept your mattress (they’ll also collect it for free), so you have the opportunity to help someone in need.