Mattress Disposal – According to the National Bed Federation, 6.5 million mattresses were sold, but only 879,000 were recycled in 2015. With the average mattress occupying up to 40 cubic feet, that means a year’s worth of discarded or disposed of mattresses can cover up to 132,000 square miles worth of space in a landfill. In order to reduce waste, mattress owners are looking to dispose of their old mattresses in various ways.
For homeowners whose mattresses need to be disposed of, you might want to look for alternative means to get rid of them without adding to the amount of waste in landfills. Here are a few options to consider when it comes to getting rid of old mattresses properly.
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One of the best ways to dispose of your old mattress is through mattress recycling. About 90 percent of the mattress parts can undergo recycling or repurposing depending on how you use it. Recycling needs to be done properly which means that you’ll have to look for a recycling centre near your area. There will be a fee that needs to be paid for recycling your old mattress. If you plan on donating mattresses, the criteria will vary depending on the organisation that you give them to. Mattresses that are infested with bedbugs, or that are wet or stained will not be accepted as a donation.
For those who have plenty of time on their hands, DIY mattress recycling is something to consider when you need to dispose of your old mattress. Although this may be time-consuming compared to leaving it in recycling drop-off areas, there is a reason why you should DIY the recycling process yourself. You can recycle all kinds of parts like steel springs, a bed frame, outer foam, and even the polyurethane foam. Check out a DIY guide on how to remove these parts of your mattress safely. Another plus to doing your own recycling is that you can sell parts, such as metal coils, as scrap metal. Even the foam from your old mattress can be used as packing material if needed.
Another tip for mattress disposal is to repurpose your old one as much as you can. If you are able to remove the mattress cover and get to the inner pieces of the mattress — such as the coil springs and foam, you can transform them into ornaments, wine racks, and even padding for your pet’s bed. See what parts of your old mattress you can use for other DIY projects. You’ll be surprised to find that there are plenty of repurposing ideas that you can take advantage of when it comes to an old mattress, so check what materials you can get from your old one.
Dumpster rental is recommended if you are doing a large scale clean out in your home and you need to dispose of old mattresses. Having a dumpster rental makes mattress disposal easier since you can dump them and then you’re done. Out of sight, out of mind. The cost of renting one is relatively cheaper compared to other options. Make sure that you choose a dumpster that has the right size for your needs and consult with your local laws to see if you can dispose of your mattress in a dumpster. Some areas may require an additional processing fee. Check your area to see if any companies offering this service, so you can find another disposal service for your mattress if that’s easier. This relates to our next point.
You can also choose to have junk removal service help you get rid of old mattresses and other junk too — for a certain fee. These removal services will come to your home with a pickup or large truck to move your mattress and junk. You may not get a quote for their service since they will need to see how much space in their truck your items will be taking up. It is also advised that you be present while they haul your items away. The downside to this option is that it is not recommended if you have plenty of junk to dispose of since you will only be given a two-hour window by the haulier to dispose of everything. Never dump your mattress improperly. The problem with illegal dumping of your mattress is that hazardous waste can leech into the soil which can be dangerous to the environment.
For old mattresses that are still in good condition, instead of dumping them like regular trash, why not donate them instead? As was mentioned before, if your mattress doesn’t have large stains, burns, tears, bed bugs, mould, or other damage, there are local charities and organisations that can accept them. You can have your items picked up, or you can have them delivered to drop-off locations. There are other organisations that also accept mattresses that you want to donate. These you can also have picked up or dropped off. There are thrift stores throughout the country, and most of them have a donation centre so that you can inquire if you plan on giving a mattress as a donation. Aside from these places, you can also talk to your local charity or even family shelter to see if they are accepting old mattresses.
If the item that you need to dispose of is too bulky to fit your trash container, you can simply place it on the curb on the same time of your curb collection. Extra plastic bags that are left outside of your container may not be considered as bulk trash which means that they will not be collected by the City. If you are unsure of whether your trash will be picked up, including your mattress, you can talk to your local government for any queries.
Although the mattress industry is coming up with natural or organic mattresses to help with the environment, there are still the old mattresses that need to be disposed of. The tips mentioned above are just a few options to consider especially when you have to get rid of your old mattress. Some may hire someone else to dispose of their mattress because of the weight of the mattress, but if you are keen on proper waste disposal, you should follow the tips mentioned above.
Mattress disposal is a huge matter nowadays because of the impact it has on landfills, which tend to take up a lot of space given the number of mattresses that are being thrown away every year. If you are unsure on how to get rid of your mattress, you can start by learning how to dispose of it properly such as hiring a junk removal service, head to a recycling station, or an environmental centre in your area to help you out. Never dispose of your old mattress by throwing it in lakes or forests, as the materials can cause damage to these ecosystems when they begin to rot.
If you wish to donate your mattress, then do so, but make sure that the mattress can still be used. It shouldn’t have any stains, tears, or a bug infestation because it will not be accepted. And if you are planning on buying a new one, talk to the shop owner to see if they are willing to pick up and dispose of your old one for a fee. There are some companies that offer this kind of service for their customers. Learning how to dispose of your mattress properly is highly recommended as it helps lessen the amount of trash that gets piled in dumpsites everywhere.
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