How to Dispose of a Mattress: Mattress Disposal Guide

It is estimated that the United States throws away approximately 18.2 million mattresses every year, with over fifty thousand mattresses end up in landfills each day. To reduce the amount of waste generated, mattress owners must find ways to properly dispose of their mattresses.

In general it is recommended to change your mattress at least every 10 years. Naturally, that amount will differ from person to individual and also the kind of mattress you’ve got. The time you choose to replace your mattress will in large part depend on the frequency at which you utilize your mattress and how you take care of it.

Do you know what to do with mattresses in a safe way? Placing it in the street isn’t enough and going to the local dump could be stress-inducing. Inadequately disposing of your bed in a proper manner could result in significant fines, so it is essential to conduct the necessary research before you dispose of it.

Before you dispose from your bed, be sure to verify the warranty of your mattress. It’s basically an amount of period of time frame that the mattress manufacturer will offer to replace your mattress in case it is damaged. The typical time frame can vary between five and 10 years, but each warranty will be different.

It is important to determine whether the warranty you have purchased covers removal of mattresses as well as replacement. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to pay for removal, you’ll need to get rid of the mattress at your own expense.

Before you dispose of your mattress, check out the policies of your state regarding mattress disposal. Certain states, like Connecticut, California, and Rhode Island — make recycling mattresses a breeze with strong laws and recycling programs that will remove the mattress from your hands. But it’s not the case for all states as a result. It is important to conduct your own research to determine the policies that your state has in place.

After you’ve completed your homework, it’s now time to eliminate your mattress. For your convenience, we’ve provided every mattress disposal option that is for you below.

Option 1. Recycle it

The most efficient and eco green method of disposing of mattresses is to reuse it. If you throw your mattress in the garbage will end in a landfill, and contribute to the earth’s trash. Based on the Mattress Recycling Council, more than 80 percent of mattresses are recyclable. So, why not give it a go to recycle your mattress?

If you want to determine whether your mattress is able to be recycled, run the following Google search with your zip code and see the recycling services within your town (ex the example of mattress recycling programs ZIP code 10004).

Most often such programs will typically allow you to take away your mattress at a low cost (usually not more than 40 dollars). States such as California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island make mattress recycling simple by offering free pick-up or low-cost alternatives. However, the exact rules vary from state to state.

If you are unable to locate any mattresses recycling centers in the area you live in You can look up these other sources:

Earth911: Earth911 is one of the largest online databases of recycling facilities with more than 100,000 listings. All you need to input is the recyclable item and the zip code you’re using.

“Bye bye mattress” Byebyemattress.com Another online aggregater that is operated by Mattress Recycling Council. They have resources for finding recycling programs in states that have passed EPRs. Visit the ‘Programs By State section for more details.

City resources: Call the municipal offices in your city, who are responsible for garbage and recycling. Contact them and ask whether they have any details about recycling mattresses.

There are instances when your mattress isn’t suitable for donation. This happens in the event that your mattress is wet stained, stained, or infested by bed bugs. Torn or damaged mattresses are generally acceptable.

Option 2: Donate it

If the mattress you have is in good condition, you can try making a donation to a local charitable organization or a business that accepts mattresses for donation. Certain businesses offer free pickup, and the donation of your mattress could be eligible to receive an income tax deduction.

The organizations you can give your mattress could be:

Salvation Army: In certain areas in certain areas, there are some locations where the Salvation Army will offer free mattress pickup. If not, take your mattress to the Salvation Army nearest you. It must, however, be free of rips holes, tears and other kinds of harm. Contact the Salvation Army beforehand to make sure that they’ll take your mattress. Donations can be tax-deductible!

Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity has the chain of thrift stores known as ReStore. They will take mattress donations and will even arrange for mattress pickup.

Goodwill: Goodwill has 162 locations throughout all of the US as well as Canada. Certain locations will even remove mattresses from your hands when they are in good state. Call your neighborhood Goodwill for more details.

Catholic Charities Catholic Charities Catholic Charities throughout the US that operate shelters as well as housing programmes which could profit from the old mattresses. Visit their website to find programs close to you.

Furniture Bank Association of America The FBA provides second-hand furniture for sale at a minimal or free to poor communities. They typically accept mattresses that are in good condition. In some instances they’ll even take the mattress up for you if you reside within a 20-mile radiusbe sure to contact them prior to the time.

Donation Town: Donation Town is an excellent online resource to find local charities. All you need to do is input your zip code, and then call local charities.

Another option is to reach to local companies. Contact hospitals, hotels or universities, thrift shops and homeless shelters within your region to find out if they’re in need of a mattress. If they’re not however, you may always inquire where they reuse their mattresses. They could be able point you to the right place.

Option 3: Sell It or donate it

If the mattress you have is in excellent condition but recycling it or giving it away isn’t alternatives for you, consider selling it. It’s unlikely to make huge amount of cash, but you might be surprised to find that you might know someone who may be in need of a used mattress and might be interested in buying the mattress from you.

Make use of your social media platforms by posting on your social media that you have a used mattress available for auction. There are also marketplaces on the internet such as OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor and Craigslist. Simply upload an picture of the bed on any of these sites and provide an amount. If that doesn’t work you can post it for sale as “free” for sale on Craigslist.

Option 4 Repurpose it

If you are a DIY enthusiast, break down the mattress and box springs by yourself. Mattresses can be made up of useful materials like polyurethane foam and steel latex foam, memory natural fibres, foam wooden components nail, screws, and more.

A pile of money, fabric, compost bin and a plant holder made from mattress spare parts. Illustration.

You can make use of the materials to serve a range of uses, including:

Recycling the components: Take the springs and parts made of steel from your mattress and then sell these to scrapyards in your area as well as scrap metal recyclers within the area you live in. If your mattress is made of silk, wool, cotton rayon, polyester or silk the materials are recyclable in the same way.

Home projects These are the foams and cotton from your mattress could be used to make a variety of things in your home. They can be cut up and used to create carpet padding as well as insulation, filters, seat cushions, pet bedding, pillows and many more.

Gardening: Tear into pieces the wood parts of your mattress to use for garden work. After being broken down, the wood is well for mulching lawns. It is also possible to use wooden slats to make an organic compost bin.

Arts and crafts Arts and crafts fabric that covers your mattress could make an excellent DIY rug. The Memory foam pads can be cut down to smaller sizes and used to make cleaning sponges. There are nails and screws in your mattress that could be used to create crafting and arts and crafts.

Decoration The springs and coils of your mattress may be made into various things like candle and plant holders ornaments, bird feeders and many more.

If you’re not sure You can check Pinterest to find more ways to reuse the mattress you have laying around.

Alternative 5: Toss it Away

If you’ve exhausted your alternatives and aren’t able reuse, give away, sell or even reuse your mattress, the final option is to throw it away. However, this isn’t a requirement to take it to the dumpster. A lot of states and cities have rules and regulations concerning disposal of mattresses. Some cities do not allow the disposal of mattresses in the garbage — this could lead to being fined or ticketed.

Certain areas allow you to dispose of mattresses in the dumpster but there could be certain rules regarding the disposal. For instance, certain cities might require that you cover the mattress with the form of a mattress bag made of plastic. Always make sure to verify the rules in your area prior to throwing away your mattress.

If you’re in a place that does not allow you to dispose of your mattress in the same way as regular garbage There are a few of alternatives available.

Mattress Removal Services: There are many kinds that offer waste removal services which can help you eliminate the garbage you aren’t able to dispose of in the normal garbage. These are private firms which can take old mattresses. To locate one in your vicinity just Google “waste disposal services close to me” to find the possibilities available within your local area.

Bongo Junko Junk Removal SpringBongo Junko offers a mattress removal company which is available in most cities. They are renowned for their outstanding customer service. They will even take mattresses that have bed bugs – just ensure that you inform them in advance.

1-800-Got-Junk offers a second junk removal service that will remove mattresses. All you need to do is dial 800-Got-Junk (800) 468-5865, and they will send a team to come and take the mattress for you. Contrary to Load Up, they do not accept mattresses that contain bed bugs.

Tossing your mattress out should not be the last resort. If you do have to take it on, make sure that you do it with care.

10 Signs That You Need A Need a New Mattress

When you’ve owned your mattress for about seven years you’ll want to start checking it for signs of wear and wear and. If you see any of these indications, it’s the time to buy a new mattress.

Your mattress has begun to lose its shape.

The mattress you are sleeping on has tears or worn edges.

There are broken coils inside your mattress.

Your mattress has begun to smell.

Your mattress creates noise.

Your mattress is more like an open hammock.

You’ve started waking awake with pains and aches.

It is difficult to fall asleep and not falling asleep.

You can feel your partner’s movements better than normal.

You wake up exhausted or you suffer from allergies.

There isn’t a set time to remove your mattress, but should you observe any of these symptoms that impact your sleeping habits, it could be the right time to buy an upgrade.

By Suzana