It’s time for a new bed. Ok, great. But how do you get rid of an old mattress responsibly? Here are some great tips!
By Diane Small
So, after years of debating, you’ve finally decided it’s time to get a new mattress. And maybe even an eco friendly one! You feel pretty good about yourself. And you’re about to get a much better sleep, in all likelihood.
All mattresses, no matter how well made, will need to be replaced eventually. In fact, most manufacturers recommend that you should replace your mattress every 8-10 years on average. But of course, this depends on its condition.
An old mattress can become unhygienic or offer less support, resulting in poorer sleep. They can also become damaged by damp, mould or staining.
But…what do you do with an old mattress, then?
The truth is, it’s not easy to get rid of an old mattress responsibly. In fact, options probably have quite a bit to do with where you live and what the rules are there.
Let’s get into it, shall we?
Some of the best options for getting rid of a mattress responsibly include:
- Taking your old mattress to the local dump. Not the best option, in my opinion.
- Giving it a second life by donating to friends or family.
- Calling around local charities to see who might need it. See more info below.
- Using a professional mattress removal service to dispose of your mattress responsibly.
- Calling a bulk waste collection through your local council.
- Booking a responsible new mattress provider, like Simba’s trusted third-party recycling team, who can come and collect it.
- Checking your area for a giveaway group, like the Freecycle Network.
- Trying to sell or give away your mattress, if it’s in great condition, on sites like Craig’s List, local Buy Nothing groups, on NextDoor or on the free stuff page on Facebook Marketplace.
If you’re like me, you probably want to do this in the most responsible way possible. Enter mattress recycling, possibly the best way to say goodbye to your old one, without sending it to landfill. But what does that even mean?
How Old Mattresses Are Recycled
Sure, many of us would like to get rid of an old mattress as responsibly as possible. And the best way is for your old mattress to be recycled.
Unfortunately, when you take a mattress to the local dump or use an independent mattress or waste removal service, it doesn’t always guarantee the mattress will be properly recycled. In fact, very often these surplus mattresses can be sent overseas and even fly tipped!
Don’t believe me? The figures don’t lie. In the UK, only 14% of used mattresses are currently sent for ‘real’ recycling. Which means that 86% of unwanted mattresses are not recycled, resulting in a whopping 167,000 tonnes of landfill.
In case you’re not sure what ‘recycling a mattress’ means, it refers to when more than 80% of the components of a mattress are salvaged. That means: springs, fabrics, insulation, foam and even just the mattress topper part.
Mattress Recycling In The USA
If you’re trying to get rid of an old mattress responsibly and you live in the USA, you’re in luck! Some states in the USA have free mattress recycling programs available. For example, in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island, the Mattress Recycling Council runs a mattress recycling program called ByeByeMattress. Statewide laws allow households to drop off old mattresses and box springs at collection sites free of charge (fees are paid at the time of sale).
You can also use ByeByeMattress or other search engines like Earth911 to locate a mattress recycling spot. This interactive map shows over 100 mattress recycling centres nationwide.
What’s good to know is that there are actually some companies that sell mattresses made from recycled components.
Some recycling programs may charge a fee for dropping off mattresses or box springs. You may need to make an appointment to drop off your mattress.
In states like California, if you’re getting a new bed delivered, your retailer is required to take your old mattress back, as long as it’s in acceptable condition. Be sure to read the fine print when purchasing your new mattress so you know what kind of delivery and old mattress removal arrangements you’re paying for.
DIY Recycling
If there’s just no way to get rid of an old mattress responsibly in your area, consider this: DIY recycling.
Did you know that once you take it apart, up to 85% of your mattress can be recycled or repurposed?
For example, the metal springs or coils can be used for scrap recycling. You may even get some cash for it! You could take the foam to a facility that will shred it to make new memory foam or other products. Wooden frames, as well as any natural or synthetic fabrics used may also be recyclable.
But 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, but the pros can show you how.
Some Charities To Call
Recycling your mattress just too difficult? No one interested in buying it? Charities and NGOs may be interested in gently used mattresses in good condition.
A few options to consider include:
- Goodwill Industries
- Salvation Army
- Habitat for Humanity
- Furniture Bank Association
- Donation Town
- GreenDrop
- PickUpPlease
- The Arc
- AMVETS PickUp
- Catholic Charities
- United Way
- Domestic violence shelters
- Animal shelters
- Local homeless shelters
Consider Buying A Refurbished Mattress
Now that you know how to get rid of an old mattress responsibly, make sure you also buy your next one responsibly, too! For example, if you’re in the UK, you could get a standard King Size mattress, sure. But the Simba Refurbished range is super eco friendly. Why? Because they make those beds from the recycled components I’ve mentioned above!
They test and inspect all refurbished mattresses they sell, and replace defective parts inside and out with authentic Simba parts. Of course, each bed is cleaned and sanitised thoroughly, so they are as pristine as new. By doing this, they’re giving a second life to products that may otherwise go to landfill.
And that’s the whole point of getting rid of a mattress responsibly, right?
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