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Sleeping on a used mattress is unsanitary and can also be dangerous. To protect your family and yourself, it's essential to know how to dispose of your old mattress properly. There are a few different ways you can do this, and each has its benefits.
Like most people, you've had your share of mattresses, and you've probably also had to deal with the hassle and expense of getting rid of them when they're no longer suitable. You can take it to the dump, sell it or give it away, or have mattress recycling.
When it’s time to get a new mattress, getting rid of your old one can be tricky. If you don’t know how to dispose of it properly, you could risk your family and the environment.
In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to properly dispose of your used mattress and much informative knowledge to make the best decision for yourself and your family. Let's get started!
5 Ways To Properly Dispose Of Your Used Mattress
Here Are 5 Ways To Properly Dispose Of Your Used Mattress:
1. Contact The Local Council
When disposing of your mattress, contacting the local council is often the best option. Councils offer bulk disposal services for large items that overwhelm the landfill and typically charge a fee for this service.
Before contacting the council, check if they offer a free collection service. If they do not, be prepared to pay a fee for the pickup. The fee varies depending on the council, so contact them directly for more information.
When arranging for pickup, be sure to have the following information ready:
2. Donate The Mattress
Mattress donations are a great way of mattress removal and helping someone in need. Many individuals cannot afford a new mattress and could use the added comfort that a donated mattress provides. Additionally, many organizations that assist those in need lack proper bedding, including mattresses, and would be grateful for your donation.
Donate To CHARITY
To donate your mattress, start by contacting local charities, churches, shelters, and other organizations that accept mattress donations that may be in need. For mattress disposal, you can also post your offer online through social media, selling forums, etc. Make sure to include all the details about the condition of the mattress and how you can pick it up.
To Organisations And Individuals
Donating it is a great option if you're looking to dispose of your mattress for free. Many individuals could use a donated mattress's added comfort, and organizations that assist those in need often lack proper bedding, including mattresses.
Post Your Offer
Start contacting local charities, churches, shelters, and other organizations that accept mattress donations to donate your mattress. You can also post your offer online through social media, selling forums, etc. Make sure to include all the details about the condition of the mattress.
3. Resell It or Give It away.
If you're not recycling or donating your mattress, you may want to try reselling it. You may not make much money, but you never know — someone in your network might need a used mattress and be interested in purchasing it from you.
Sell On Social Media
Take advantage of your social media channels by posting to a furniture recycling group that you have a used mattress up for grabs. You can also utilize online marketplaces like OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, or Craigslist. Just post a picture of your mattress on one of these sites and offer a price. When all else fails, you can list it as "free" on Craigslist to sell mattresses online.
4. Recycle It
When disposing of an old mattress, the best and most environmentally friendly option is to recycle it. Throwing a mattress in the garbage means it will end up in a landfill, adding to the planet's waste.
According to the Mattress Recycling Council, more than 80% of mattresses can be recycled. So, recycling your mattress is the best option for the environment.
To check if you can recycle mattresses, conduct a quick Google search or the nearest recycling centre and use your zip code to see if there are mattress recycling services or any mattress recycling programs in your city. If there are, then use their mattress recycling service. If not, there may still be other ways to recycle your old mattress, such as through a mattress recycling council or by contacting your municipality.
Recycling The Parts:
When you recycle an old mattress, the steel parts and box springs can be recycled as scrap metal. The mattress includes cotton, wool, silk, polyurethane foam, or rayon can also be recycled into new products. By recycling these materials, you are helping to reduce the amount of waste in landfills.
Home Projects:
When recycling a mattress, you can use foam and cotton for various home projects. The foam can be shredded and used as carpet padding, insulation, filters, seat cushions, pet bedding, pillows, and more. The cotton can be used as insulation, filters, seat cushions, pet bedding, pillows, and more.
Gardening:
When recycling a mattress, you can also use the wooden parts for gardening. The wood can be shredded and used as lawn mulch, which will help keep your lawn healthy and green. You can also use the slats to create a compost bin, which will help you recycle your food waste and organic materials.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are a great way to recycle old materials and give them new life. Using screws and nails from your old mattress, you can create beautiful pieces of art that can display in your home. Additionally, the fabric that covers your mattress can be cut into small sizes and used as cleaning sponges. This is a great way to reuse an old item and keep it out of the landfill.
Decoration
When recycling an old mattress, you can use the coils and mattress springs to make various decorative objects. For example, you can melt them down and make candle or plant holders, ornaments, bird feeders, and much more. This is a great way to recycle old materials and give them a new life as decorative objects.
5. Throw It Away
It's always best to check with your local municipality or junk removal service before disposing of an old mattress, as there may be specific rules and regulations. In some areas, leaving a mattress next to the dumpster is illegal; doing so can result in a ticket or fine.
Wrapped The Mattress Before Disposal
If you are allowed, make sure to throw your mattress properly. Many municipalities require that mattresses be wrapped in a plastic mattress bag before disposal. This helps keep the mattress from becoming an eyesore or a hazard and keeps pests and vermin from being attracted to it.
Take Safety Precautions
When disposing of a mattress, always take into account the safety of those who will be handling it. Make sure that anyone who helps you with mattress disposal is wearing gloves and a mask, and take care not to cut yourself on any sharp metal springs or screws that may be sticking out.
Dispose Of With Environmentally-friendly Way
Finally, remember that even though your old mattress is no longer usable and contains bed bugs, it still contains materials that can harm the environment if the mattress is not properly disposed of. So make sure to follow all the necessary precautions and recycle or dispose of your old mattress in an environmentally-friendly way.
Now we've learned how to dispose of mattresses; let's talk about how we do not do it and how I can dispose of them myself!
How Should We Not Dispose of Mattress?
Here are some ways not to dispose of your mattress:
Burning Your Mattress
It's essential to dispose of your old mattress correctly, and burning it is not the right way. Some people dismantle the mattress the best they can and burn it and its parts. Once the fire goes, you could find the flames hard to control, making it a natural hazard. Not only that, the fumes could harm you and the environment.
Hiring A Skip
Hiring a skip is the way to go if you're looking for an easy way to dispose of your old mattress. Skip hire services are available in most areas and are an excellent option for removing large items like furniture or mattresses. When you hire a skip, you must load it up with your old mattress and other unwanted items, and the skip company will take care of the rest. They'll pick up the skip and take it to the landfill, so you don't have to worry about anything.
Leaving Your Mattress Out In The Street
Leaving your old mattress out on the street is not only bad for the environment but also anti-social and illegal. It's considered tipping; you could face a hefty fine if caught. So before you discard your old mattress, be sure to find a way to dispose of your mattress correctly or donate it to recycling centres.
Fly Tipping And Illegal Recycling Mattress Disposal
Tipping and illegal recycling of mattresses are becoming more common as people try to get rid of their old mattresses. It's essential to be aware of the dangers of tipping and the consequences you could face if caught.
What Is Fly Tipping?
Tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land that doesn't have a license to accept it. This could be an old mattress, some bin bags, or some electrical items in the street. The tipping may be on a larger scale, consisting of vast amounts of construction or demolition waste, and occur on different land types. Either way, it's illegal.
The consequences of tipping can be severe for mattress owners. If caught tipping, you could face a fine of up to £40,000 or 6 months in prison. Your rubbish could also end up in landfill, which is harmful to the environment.
It's essential to dispose of your old mattress responsibly. You can take it to a local recycling centre or charity shop. Alternatively, you could hire a skip or use a mattress recycling facility.
Can I Dispose Of A Mattress Myself?
Yes, you can, but it's not recommended because it is not as simple as you think. You must take it apart and dismantle the different parts before you dispose of a mattress. This includes the springs, fabric, and any other materials. But it is not advised to break it up and throw the separate parts away. This is because it will take up a lot of space in your bin, which is hard work and time-consuming.
Moreover, if you dispose of the mattress at home, you will have to burn them. Burning a mattress will create hazardous fumes which damage the environment and can lead you to have issues with the authorities and make a mess.
So, instead of burning or breaking it up, you must use a proper mattress disposal facility to recycle it. You could take it to your local recycling center for disposal service or contact your council to see if they offer a collection service for mattresses.
Now, Let's know how long the mattress last:
How Long Do Mattresses Last?
How long do mattresses last? This question does not have a definitive answer as it depends on several factors, like if your mattress caught bed bugs. However, as per the National Bed Federation, average and high-quality mattresses will last between 7 to 10 years. This range typically includes products made with springs and memory foam.
If you are looking for a bed that will last longer than this, latex mattresses are a good option as they have an average lifespan of 15 years. In comparison, more budget-friendly options such as futons or inflatable air beds usually last only 5 years.
Memory Foam Mattress Lifespan
The lifespan of a memory foam mattress can vary, but it's typically around seven years. However, this can depend on how often the mattress is used, rotated, and cleaned. Memory foam mattresses should be rotated every few months to avoid wear and tear in one spot and should be vacuumed and wiped down regularly to keep them clean. If a new mattress is kept in good condition, it can last up to ten years.
If you are looking for the best memory foam mattress seller, go with Craftedbeds. We are the best sellers of memory foam mattresses and provide a wide range of options to choose from. Check Our Latest Collection Here!
FAQs
Now, let's see some frequently asked questions about mattress disposal that will clear all your doubts.
Can I Sell My Mattress?
Yes, you can sell your mattress. There are many ways to do this, including online marketplaces, classified ads, and consignment stores. Be sure to research the best option and price your mattress accordingly.
How Often Should You Change Your Mattress?
The Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7 years, and this is because, after that time, it will have been subjected to more than 20,000 hours of use - the equivalent of 2,555 nights.
Can I Donate My Mattress To Charity?
Yes, you can. Even though this would greatly help the poor and the needy, it's essential to check with the charity or shelter first to see if they accept used mattresses. Some charities might not want them because of hygiene reasons.
Can I Dispose Of My Mattress In A Skip?
Yes, you can. But be sure to check with your local council first as they might have specific regulations regarding this. A better idea is to take it to a local landfill or mattress disposal recycling centre.
Does Recycling My Mattress Matter?
Yes, recycling your mattress matters. Because by properly recycling your mattress, you're helping to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills. Recycling your mattress also keeps these materials out of the environment, which is essential for preserving our planet.
Where Can I Buy A New Mattress?
If you've properly disposed of your mattress and want to buy a new mattress online, Crafted beds is the perfect place to buy. We have a variety of mattresses, including memory foam, latex, and innerspring mattresses. Plus, our prices are unbeatable! We understand that buying a new mattress can be a big investment, so we offer free shipping on all orders within the Mainland UK. Don't wait any longer - buy your new mattress today at Craftedbeds.co.uk!
The Final Words
When it comes time to dispose of an old mattress, a few options are available. You can try to remove the mattress yourself and take it to a local landfill or recycling centre, hire a professional mattress removal company to do it for you, or donate the mattress to local charities or homeless shelters.
If you choose to remove the mattress yourself, make sure you wear protective clothing and follow all safety guidelines, as mattresses can be heavy. If you decide to hire a professional removal company, be sure to get quotes from several different companies and compare prices. Choose the one that fits your budget and requirement.
Also, don't forget to take proper care of your mattress to extend its lifespan. And if you choose to donate the mattress, check with the charity or shelter first to see if they will accept used mattresses.
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