When you buy a new mattress, you may be wondering what to do with the old one. Fortunately, there are several options available for disposing of an old mattress, from recycling programs to garbage collection. Many retailers partner with mattress recycling programs and non-profit organizations to get donations. Nonprofit organizations such as Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity and St.
Vincent de Paul may accept mattress donations, depending on the state. You can also take your mattress to a landfill, but make sure that your trash can allows you to leave the items yourself before continuing. In addition, states such as California, Connecticut and Rhode Island have mattress recycling programs to prevent mattresses from ending up in a landfill. Some online mattress companies now include the removal of old mattresses in the price of a new mattress, while others offer it as an optional feature for an additional fee. If you have to leave more than just a mattress or if the mattress is too big for you to bring, you can arrange to have it picked up at your home; some city and county governments will pick up bulky items (such as mattresses) on the sidewalk if you request it, although they may or may not be part of a recycling program. There are several recycling companies that will gladly accept used mattresses, since they can reuse many components of the mattress: steel, wood, cotton, foam and even springs can be converted into new products.
If your new mattress is going to be delivered to a store, they can usually take your old mattress away at the time of delivery. If you've exhausted all other options, you can take your mattress to a landfill as a last resort to dispose of the mattress. However, this should be avoided if possible since about 20 million mattresses end up in landfills every year and each mattress takes up to 40 cubic feet of space. While up to 90% of a typical mattress can be recycled, a mattress can take up to 120 years to decay in a landfill. When it comes time to replace your old mattress with a new one, there are several ways you can safely dispose of it.
You can donate it to a non-profit organization such as Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity; some online mattress companies offer removal services; or you can take it to a recycling center or landfill. While taking it to the landfill should be avoided if possible due to its environmental impact, it is still an option if all other avenues have been exhausted. No matter which option you choose for disposing of your old mattress, make sure that you follow all safety protocols and regulations in order to ensure that your old mattress is disposed of properly and safely.
