Where to Take Old Mattress and Boxspring: Options

Americans throw away more than 50,000 mattresses every day. Most of these beds end up in landfills¹. This can harm our environment, as one mattress takes up about 40 cubic feet of space in landfills¹.

To lessen this environmental burden, many organizations offer ways to donate or recycle old mattresses. This article will look at how to get rid of old bedding responsibly. We’ll cover donating to charities, recycling through special programs, and other disposal options.

Key Takeaways

• Americans dispose of over 50,000 mattresses per day, with most ending up in landfills.
• One mattress can take up to 40 cubic feet of space in a landfill.
• Many charitable organizations and recycling programs accept old mattresses and boxsprings.
• Mattress removal and recycling services are available in most major U.S. cities.
• Proper disposal of old mattresses can help reduce environmental impact and prevent health issues.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Old Mattress

As we get older, our mattresses wear out too. Knowing when to replace your mattress can be tricky. But, there are clear signs to watch for². Experts say to swap out a mattress every 6 to 8 years².

Different types of mattresses last longer. Waterbeds can last 12 to 15 years². Foam beds, like latex or gel, can last 10 to 15 years². Memory foam beds usually last 8 to 10 years². And innerspring mattresses can last about 8 years².

Wear and Tear

Look out for sagging, tears, and stains on your mattress². Older mattresses have more dust mites than other items². These mites can cause breathing problems and allergies².

The mattress’s quality affects how long it lasts and how comfortable it is².

Changes to Your Quality of Sleep

Feeling sore or tired when waking up might mean your mattress needs a change³. If you find yourself tossing and turning, or sleeping better elsewhere, it’s a sign too³. Poor sleep can make you feel down and slow².

Choosing to replace your mattress should be a thoughtful decision²³. Pay attention to wear and tear, and changes in your sleep. This way, you’ll make sure you’re sleeping well.

Donating Your Mattress

Donating an old mattress is a kind act that helps others. It’s important to make sure the mattress is in good shape for donation. Places like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and the Furniture Bank Association of America have rules for what they accept⁴.

Charitable Organizations

The National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) works with local groups to give mattresses to those in need. This includes people moving out of homelessness, victims of domestic violence, and veterans⁴. NFBA looks for mattresses that are clean, without stains or tears, and free from bugs⁴.

Ensuring Your Mattress is Suitable for Donation

Before you donate, clean and sanitize the mattress. Check for bugs or infestations to meet the donation criteria⁴. Some places have rules because of health and safety, or because of bed bugs on foam mattresses⁴. It’s also better to take apart old bed frames to make moving and storing easier⁴.

If your mattress can’t be donated, consider recycling or repurposing it. You can turn it into a pet bed, cushion, or outdoor seat. This way, you help the environment and find new uses for the mattress⁴.

Places like St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity in California take mattress donations. They offer free pick-ups, asking for details about the mattress and scheduling a time⁴.

“Donating a mattress is a great way to give back to the community and ensure the bed finds a new home.”

By following the guidelines of charitable organizations and preparing the mattress correctly, you help a good cause. You also responsibly get rid of your old mattress⁴.

where do i take old mattress and boxspring

When it’s time to get rid of your old mattress and boxspring, you have many options. Places like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity might take them if they’re in good shape⁵. But, not all mattresses can be donated because of wear and tear. Always check the guidelines first⁵.

If your mattress can’t be donated, recycling centers and special services can help. Earth911⁶ and Bye Bye Mattress⁶ can find recycling places near you. Many cities also have programs to recycle mattresses, making sure they don’t end up in landfills⁶.

Recycling a mattress can save up to 90% of its materials, which is great for the environment⁶. There are over 100 recycling centers across the country for old mattresses and box springs⁶. These centers can turn materials like steel, wood, stuffing, and fabric into something new, helping our planet⁶.

Don’t dump mattresses illegally. Most cities have rules against it to protect the environment and keep pests away⁶. Look for local options to get rid of your old mattress and boxspring the right way.

Recycling Your Old Mattress

When a mattress is no longer good for donation, recycling is a green choice. Materials like springs, foam, and wood can be reused. This reduces the harm to our environment compared to throwing them away.

Places like Earth911⁷ and Bye Bye Mattress⁷ help find recycling spots near you. They use your location to show where you can recycle your mattress.

Earth911

Earth911 has a big list of places that recycle old mattresses and boxsprings⁷. Just enter your zip code to find recycling options close to you. Some even offer pickup for a small fee⁷.

Bye Bye Mattress

The Bye Bye Mattress program works in California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It’s funded by a recycling fee on each mattress and box spring sold⁷. They break down the mattress into steel, foam, fibers, and wood for recycling into products like carpet padding and mulch⁷.

But, Bye Bye Mattress doesn’t pick up mattresses at your door. The City of San Diego also doesn’t offer bulky item pickup⁷. Damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, or dirty mattresses must go in the trash⁷.

Recycling your mattress helps reduce the millions thrown away each year⁸. It takes years for them to break down and release harmful chemicals⁸. Recycling centers handle these materials responsibly⁸. Some cities even have special pickup dates for mattresses⁸.

Recycling might cost between $20 to $90⁹. But it’s worth it to keep mattresses out of landfills and support the environment⁹. California wants to recycle 75% of mattresses by 2020⁹. Up to 80-90% of mattress parts can be recycled if sorted right⁹.

Other Disposal Options

If your mattress can’t be donated or recycled, there are other ways to get rid of it¹⁰. Companies like Mattress Disposal take away your old mattress. They send it to places that recycle or dispose of it in an eco-friendly way. They might ask for a small fee for this service¹¹.

Mattress Disposal Services

Getting rid of an old mattress is easy with professional services. These companies pick up your mattress and make sure it’s disposed of right¹¹. The cost varies, but it usually includes the removal and disposal of your mattress¹¹.

City Recycling Programs

¹⁰ Many cities have programs to recycle mattresses. They might even pick them up from your curb¹². Some places offer free disposal, while others might charge a fee based on the mattress’s condition and size¹². It’s a good idea to check what’s available in your area for the best option.

Looking for a green way to get rid of your old mattress? There are many options. From professional services to city recycling programs, you can help the environment by recycling or repurposing your mattress¹⁰¹¹¹².

DIY and Repurposing Old Mattresses

When a mattress can’t be donated or recycled, there’s a way to give it a new life. You can use DIY projects and repurpose it. Most mattress parts, like steel springs, wood, and foam, can be used in creative ways¹³.

Steel springs can be sold as scrap metal. Wood parts can be broken down for landscaping mulch¹³. Foam can be turned into cushions, pet beds, or packing material¹³.

But, be careful with mattresses that have fiberglass. The tiny glass particles can irritate your skin if they get out¹³. By trying DIY and repurposing, we can give old mattresses a second chance instead of throwing them away¹³¹⁴.

Being a responsible and eco-friendly shopper means looking into DIY and repurposing for old mattresses. It saves you money and helps the planet¹³¹⁴.

“Repurposing old mattresses is a great way to reduce waste and give new life to materials that would end up in a landfill.”

Conclusion

When it’s time to get rid of an old mattress and boxspring, we have many green and easy ways to do it. Donating a mattress to places like Goodwill is a great choice if it’s in good shape. Goodwill is near 81% of Americans¹⁵.

Recycling through programs like Bye Bye Mattress can also help. This way, mattresses don’t end up in landfills. But, only about 5% of the 20 million mattresses thrown away each year are recycled in the U.S¹⁶.

There are other ways to reuse mattresses, like selling them or making DIY projects. While getting rid of a mattress might not be fun, it’s important to do it right. This way, we can help the environment and possibly help others.

Donating, recycling, or finding new uses for old mattresses are all good choices. By focusing on mattress disposal options, mattress recycling, mattress donation, and responsible mattress disposal, we can all help. This helps keep these big items out of landfills and supports a greener future.

Source Links

1. How to Donate, Recycle, or Get Rid of Your Mattress – Amerisleep – https://amerisleep.com/blog/mattress-donation/
2. 6 Signs That You Need to Replace Your Mattress – https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/signs-replace-mattress
3. When to Replace Your Mattress: 10 Obvious Signs it Time| Jonathan Stevens Mattress Co. – Your Sleep Resource – https://www.jonathanstevens.com/blog/when-to-replace-your-mattress-10-obvious-signs-it-time
4. Give Your Old Bed a New Life: How to Donate Mattress Like A Pro – https://qshark-moving.com/donate-mattress/
5. How to Dispose of a Mattress – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/mattress-disposal-guide
6. Mattress disposal and removal solutions – https://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/what-we-take/mattress_disposal
7. Recycling Mattresses and Box Springs – https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/residential/mattresses
8. What to do with old mattresses – https://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/blog/furniture/how-to-recycle-mattress
9. Mattress Recycling – https://www.cawrecycles.org/mattressrecycling
10. 5 Ways To Get Rid of Your Old Mattress That Don’t Involve a Landfill – https://www.saatva.com/blog/where-to-take-old-mattress/
11. How to Dispose of a Mattress | Budget Dumpster – https://www.budgetdumpster.com/resources/how-to-dispose-of-mattress.php
12. How To Get Rid of a Mattress and Make Room for a New One – https://www.mattressfirm.com/blog/mattress-obsessed/how-to-dispose-of-a-mattress
13. Simple Guide: How to Get Rid of a Mattress – https://www.americanmattress.com/blogs/learn/how-to-get-rid-of-a-mattress?srsltid=AfmBOooex8Nsgez8WYjrfn_tdIJ6o59RXZdZVNxvvwkFpFN3G0WAAuXk
14. Mattress Disposal Guide: How To Dispose Of Your Old Mattress – https://www.bedinabox.com/pages/mattress-disposal-guide?srsltid=AfmBOoqNMp2_3TCzB-0BbeshfSrhw_kZx_zQv4rD5tUMpIazWurS-RDX
15. Charities That Will Pick Up Furniture for Free (2024 Guide) – https://www.thisoldhouse.com/storage-organization/reviews/charities-that-will-pick-up-furniture-for-free
16. Why It’s So Hard to Get Rid of Used Mattresses – https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/get-rid-of-used-mattresses/