My husband and I are quite pleased with our brand-new king size mattress. It’s firm, yet comfy, and because we also indulged in some new down pillows, we are sleeping much better these days. But what should we do with the old mattress? I know the mattress delivery company removes it, but I am sure that they just send it to a landfill. I would like to dispose of our old mattress in a more eco-friendly way.
In looking for green suggestions on how to handle the old mattress, I googled ‘mattress recycle’. Nothing really useful came of my web search, however. Health department laws prohibit donating the mattress to the Salvation Army or another charitable organization, and I could not find a local mattress recycling company. I could try a local freecycle group, but the health department restrictions would probably come into play again. So we have a nice, new mattress, and we just don’t know how to handle the old mattress in an environmentally-responsible way.
I invite you, dear reader, to weigh in on this one: what’s the best way to dispose of an old mattress?
Photo from my personal collection.
Hi, could you tell me of any Eco companies in UK who would recycle an old mattress. Do not want it to end up in landfill and it is not good enough to give away. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Our local county dump has trailers on site just for mattresses – when the trailer is full all mattresses are then recycled into furniture, etc…..
I’m running into the same problem with recycling mattresses. A long time ago I got so frustrated I actually busted the box spring up, recycled the wood and springs and ripped up the mattress. Boy, was that a lot of work. So, apart from breaking the darn things down or trying to give them away, I’m searching for better ideas.
I also faced problems with old mattress because I bought new mattress http://www.monstermattress.com. First I put that in store. Then after few days we planned to go out for camping and then an idea came in my mind that y not we use our old mattress for this purpose only. Hence we took that with us and we felt very comfortable throughout our trip. I think that only best possible way of using an old mattress.
Another note: If you reside where folks “dumpster dive” routinely— simply set the mattress down beside the dumpster on a non-rainy day.
It will quickly disappear!But, please try to place newspapers or a tarp; etc. underneath it to prevent it from being soiled.
If you lean it against the dumpster, it will absorb the smell of the trash and nobody will want it!
Yes, health restrictions hinder donating any mattress to any charity. But, you will always find some poor soul who needs a free mattress. If you do not want strangers to phone you or to come to your home, simply contact your local fire department or news station whenever someone has lost everything in a fire, a flood, a tornado or hurricane. They always know of families that will gladly accept your old mattress. Secondly, mattresses can be professionally cleaned and recovered. Many motels do that.
I love the creativity in all of your responses! If we don’t use the old springs in our garden, perhaps we will use the wall insulation idea as we do some home renovations.
I think a used mattress is kind of like getting rid of used tires. I mean, the things just wear out. At one point in time people thought it made sense to just pile the things up out in rural areas someplace until they went up in flames. Now, there are several companies just looking for free used tires to make their recycled goods.
Hmmm, WALL INSULATION from textile materials. I imagine the springs could somehow be recycled.
Sounds to me like somebody needs to put together a business out of taking in old mattresses, and doing something constructive with the materials.
The thing is, everything comes from the earth and then goes right back in some form or another. If your old mattress is destined not to be re-used, I’d say you might as well make it into some kind of art project. That would be prettier to look at anyway, than just another old mattress stacked up on other old mattresses.
http://www.greengroove.org
I personally would put it in the paper as free for the taking. I’m almost positive there are people in your area who are sleeping on way worse than your landfill mattress.
Hi Sarah-I’ve actually listed a used mattress on Craigslist before and had over 20 responses. I included the bedding and metal bedframe and it felt good to give it to a less fortunate woman who seemed so grateful to get it. And the mattress was a several years old but still in decent shape. You might try that and see what response you get before trying something else…