How To Dispose Of A Mattress With Ease

No one ever talks about how to dispose of a mattress, even though depending on where you live, the process can be a bit challenging. 18.2 million mattresses get thrown out every year in the United States alone, and a large percentage of these end up in landfills, a significant strain on the environment. Even the best mattresses have a limited lifespan, so if you’re thinking of retiring your old bed for an upgrade, it’s important to be responsible and get familiar with all your options.

Though some bedding companies will have a mattress donation program themselves, others might require you to arrange for mattress disposal on your own. If you want to give your old bed a new lease on life and don’t know how to donate a mattress, here’s a mattress disposal guide that’ll help:

When Should You Get Think About Mattress Disposal?

If you’re beginning to think about mattress disposal, but you’re not sure whether it’s time to throw away your mattress just yet, there are a couple of easy ways to figure out whether mattress donation might be a better option.

You might consider mattress disposal if:

• You’ve had your bed for a long time and it’s not meeting your needs for a good night’s sleep anymore.
• You’ve had an injury and need more structured support for proper recovery.
• You’re pregnant and require a more supportive mattress.
• Your mattress is too small for your current needs.
• Your mattress is too damaged to recycle or donate.
• Your mattress is showing signs of wear and tear, which can include sagging, lumps, noisy springs, or coils that can be felt through the top of the mattress.

Any of the above sound familiar? It’s probably time to think about your options for mattress disposal.

The Case For Recycling Your Mattress

One of the best and most eco-friendly methods of mattress disposal is recycling. A standard hybrid mattress might contain many different types of materials, including foam, steel, wood, and cotton.

Before you go ahead and buy a new mattress, it’s important to know every part of your old mattress is recyclable - the memory foam layers are shredded to be used for insulation materials or carpets, fabric present in the mattress covers can be made into industrial oil, while the springs are reused as scrap metal.

One of the best ways to get your old mattress recycled quickly and efficiently is by hiring a company to do it for you. These include:

• Mattress Recycling Council - The MRC is a non-profit organization and recycling center that currently operates out of California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. With mattress disposal drop-off locations across these states, you can find out more on their website.
• Bye Bye Mattress -  Run by the MRC, this website allows you to find recycling programs in various states. You can find out more and the programs that run in your state by searching through their website.
• Earth911 - One of North America’s most comprehensive used mattress disposal databases, Earth 911 allows you to find a recycling center with a simple zip code search. You may also choose to dial their hotline at (800) CLEANUP to arrange a quick and simple setup.
• Local council - Contact your local municipal offices if you’re not sure what the rules and protocol of your hometown might be. They’ll also be able to help and direct you to the nearest recycling facility in your area, which can be useful.

Mattress Donation - Charities That Accept Mattresses

When recycling is not an option, there are other ways you can make sure your mattress disposal remains responsible. One example of this is trying to donate your mattress to charities or homeless shelters. Many charities will accept usable and clean mattresses, and some even provide the option of free pickup and tax deduction along with your donation.

Make sure your used mattress is free from infestation, any major defects, or permanent discoloration. Here are a few organizations you might find helpful for mattress donation:

• The Salvation Army - Certain branches of the Salvation Army can help with mattress disposal. They do have strict rules about how to donate a mattress in proper conditions, so ensure your mattress is free from damage before you sign up for donation.
• Habitat for Humanity International - Committed to providing sustainable accommodation for people worldwide, the HFHI will also accept old mattresses that are reusable.
• Furniture Bank Association of America Mattress Donations - The FBA has over 80 furniture banks distributed across North America and is a service committed to providing essential items to those living in poverty. If a furniture bank is close enough to you, it will also help arrange pick-up when you need it.
• Donation Town - Donation Town is a free online resource that ensures you’re able to find charities in your area - all you need to do is enter your zip code into their database to help you find the closest and most convenient drop-off point for you.

The above databases are useful, not simply because they provide real-time information about charities and centers near you, but they also let you browse and find causes you’re passionate about.

Many of these organizations work hard to rehabilitate the lives of homeless people or provide safe homes for young mothers and children. Not sure your bed is in good condition? Learn how to clean your mattress before you go ahead and donate. Something as simple as rethinking mattress disposal into donation can make a significant impact on the quality of their lives.

Reselling Your Mattress

Have a mattress that’s as good as new? When you need to replace a mattress to suit your change of requirements, then it might be worth considering reselling your old bed. While you might want to give your own social media networks a try, other online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and NextDoor are all great options when you’re seeking buyers looking for a new mattress.

You can also choose to give your mattress away for free - this might include using a service such as Freecycle, which helps match people giving things away with those who are in want of a certain product, in order to get this done.

When mattress recycling, remember to try and avoid leaving your mattress out in the open, even if it’s been previously discussed - handing over your mattress will allow you to be assured you’ve actually handed it off to someone who needs it.

How To Repurpose Your Mattress

Before you buy a new mattress, it’s possible to think out of the box when it comes to mattress disposal. Converting the job into a DIY project can allow you to get creative and increase mattress life, as well as find useful ways to keep these in your home.

Here are a couple of different ways you can DIY an old mattress:

• The foam and cotton in your mattress can be used as throw pillows, carpet padding, and repurposed further into pet beds. Dogs and cats are especially comforted in beds made out of your old mattress since they’ll get a strong trace of your scent as they’re dozing off, so this innovative way of mattress recycling can be particularly effective.
• If the fabric present in your mattress cover is in good shape, it can be used as a rug of your own, and even be used as cleaning sponges or material. Stretched out, they can also be used as a canvas for your next art project.
• Removing the steel from your box spring mattress and selling them to local scrap yards can be a great way to recycle your mattress overall. If you want to be environment-conscious, try to get creative with it: the coils in your mattress can also make some pretty cool-looking planters and wall accessories.

How To Get Rid Of A Mattress Beyond Repair

Once you’ve exhausted all your alternate options for mattress disposal, including mattress donations, it’s time to think about how you can get rid of your old bed. There are still ways you can be responsible when dealing with mattress removal.

Arranging for a waste disposal service rather than leaving or dumping your mattress is the best way to dispose of your mattress with ease. Try searching online for removal services in your area to start, or speak again to your local municipal offices to see what standard procedure for your area might be.

Some of the more popular companies for mattress disposal include Load Up, which is a service located in 50 states that are also willing to remove mattresses with bed bugs, as well as 1-800-Got-Junk, a hotline that allows pickup at the convenience of your home.

To figure out how to dispose of a mattress in the best way you can, it’s important you’ve considered all your options. Today, over 75% of a mattress is highly recyclable so dumping a mattress without considering the consequences can lead to pounds of useful material polluting and taking up waste streams.

Many mattress companies, including Puffy, have a donation program to ensure that nothing goes to waste (just one reason why you should buy a puffy bed!). Puffy also donates a mattress for every ten posts shared on social media using the #puffydonation hashtag.

The best mattress companies should care about the lifecycle of their products, and checking to see where you’re shopping from is always worth the extra effort. By using this mattress disposal guide, and donating your mattress, you’ll be able to ensure you stay a conscientious consumer.