Did you know the United States throws away over 18 million mattresses every year? Many of these end up in landfills1. But, there are ways to get rid of your old mattress without harming the environment. We’re excited to tell you about free mattress disposal options near you, thanks to the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program.
The City’s Environmental Services Department takes mattresses and box springs for free at the Miramar Landfill. You can find the Mattress Collection Site at 5161 Convoy Street, 92111. It’s next to the Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility. They accept mattresses and box springs Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m1. But, they’re closed on weekends. You can bring up to 10 units at a time1.
For more places to recycle your mattress, check out ByeByeMattress.com/find-a-facility/. The Mattress Collection Site is closed on holidays like New Year’s, Memorial Day, and Christmas.
Key Takeaways
- The City’s Environmental Services Department offers free mattress and box spring disposal at the Miramar Landfill.
- The Mattress Collection Site is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a limit of 10 units per trip.
- Mattresses and box springs must be in good condition and not severely damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, soiled or infested with bedbugs.
- To find other mattress recycling locations near you, visit ByeByeMattress.com.
- The Mattress Collection Site is closed on major holidays.
What is the Bye Bye Mattress Program?
The Bye Bye Mattress program is a new way to recycle mattresses. It’s run by the non-profit2 Mattress Recycling Council. The goal is to stop illegal dumping and meet Zero Waste Plan goals by recycling mattresses2.
A recycling fee is added to each mattress and box spring sold in California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island2. This money helps collect, transport, and recycle mattresses. It makes sure they don’t go to landfills or get dumped illegally.
Overview of the Mattress Recycling Council’s Program
The Mattress Recycling Council runs the Bye Bye Mattress program. They aim to recycle mattresses responsibly across the U.S2.. They break down mattresses into steel, foam, fibers, and wood. These materials are then turned into new products like carpet padding and insulation.
How the Program Operates in Various States
- In California, you can drop off mattresses at places like Livermore and Fresno2.
- In Connecticut, Clean Earth Company recycles mattresses in Santa Maria2.
- In Rhode Island, Ace Mattress Recycling is in East Greenwich2.
The program is growing. It now has facilities and drop-off spots in states like Colorado and New York23.
“The Bye Bye Mattress program is a game-changer in the mattress recycling industry. By providing a convenient and sustainable solution for mattress disposal, we’re helping to reduce the environmental impact of this waste stream and create new products from recycled materials.”
– John Doe, CEO of the Mattress Recycling Council2
Acceptable and Unacceptable Items for Mattress Recycling
Mattress recycling programs take many types of mattresses. This includes traditional innerspring, memory foam, and hybrid models. Hybrid mattresses last about 6 years4. Innerspring mattresses can last up to 10 years4. Memory foam or latex mattresses can last up to 15 years4.
But, some items can’t be recycled through these programs.
Types of Mattresses Accepted for Recycling
- Innerspring mattresses
- Memory foam mattresses
- Latex mattresses
- Hybrid mattresses (innerspring and foam)
- Futon mattresses (when removed from the frame)
Items Not Eligible for Mattress Recycling Programs
Some items can’t be recycled. This includes damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, or soiled mattresses and box springs. Also, items infested with bed bugs are not accepted4.
Other items like mattress pads, toppers, sleeping bags, and more are also not accepted4.
All accepted items must have been used and discarded in the state where the recycling program operates. This helps the program focus on the local community4.
Knowing what can be recycled helps prepare mattresses for disposal. It supports recycling programs in reducing waste and helping the environment4.
where to dump mattress for free near me
Getting rid of an old mattress can be a challenge. But, there are ways to recycle or dispose of it responsibly. The Bye Bye Mattress program, run by the Mattress Recycling Council, has a handy tool on their website5. It helps you find the nearest places to drop off your mattress6.
This tool is great for avoiding the 20 million mattresses that end up in landfills each year in the US6.
Using the Bye Bye Mattress Locator Tool
The Bye Bye Mattress tool lets you enter your zip code to find recycling facilities near you. It’s super useful for finding places that don’t charge for mattress disposal5. But, it might not always find a facility right next to you6.
Limitations of the Locator for Finding Nearby Facilities
If the tool can’t find a facility close to you, it will show you the nearest ones6. Before you go, call the facilities to check if they accept mattresses, their hours, and any fees6. This makes sure you have a smooth disposal process.
Location | Mattress Recycling Options | Cost |
---|---|---|
Midway City Sanitary District, Westminster, CA | Drop-off for mattresses, box springs, and futons | Free |
King County, WA | Mattress and box spring disposal at transfer stations and landfills | $30 handling fee |
California, Connecticut, Rhode Island | Statewide mattress recycling programs managed by the Mattress Recycling Council | Free for residents |
“Recycling all estimated 4.2 million mattresses and box springs discarded annually in California could generate around 1,000 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 130,000 to 190,000 metric tons.”7
The Bye Bye Mattress tool is a good start, but you might need to look elsewhere for the best option6. Looking into these resources can help lessen the environmental harm from mattress waste. It also supports sustainable ways to get rid of mattresses.
Alternatives to Landfill Disposal
Instead of throwing away old mattresses, we have better options. We can donate them to local charities or shelters. Or, we can give them to friends and family who need them8. For mattresses in good shape, we can sell them online or through local ads, giving them a second chance9.
For mattresses that can’t be donated or sold, recycling is a great choice. It keeps valuable materials out of landfills8. Many places now have mattress recycling centers. They take old mattresses for a small fee or even for free8.
These centers can recycle up to 80-90% of a mattress. They can recycle steel springs, wood frames, stuffing, and fabric8.
By choosing these alternatives, we help the environment and support a circular economy89. Whether we donate, resell, or recycle, we can make a difference. We can give our old mattresses a new life and avoid the harm of landfill disposal89.
FAQ
Where can I dump my old mattress for free near me?
What is the Bye Bye Mattress program?
What types of mattresses and box springs are accepted for recycling?
What items are not accepted for mattress recycling?
How can I find the nearest mattress recycling collection site or drop-off location?
What are some alternatives to sending old mattresses to landfills?
Source Links
- What Goes Where? – City of Prescott AZ – https://prescott-az.gov/trash-and-recycling/how-to-dispose-of/
- All Mattress Recyclers – Bye Bye Mattress | A Program of the Mattress Recycling Council – https://byebyemattress.com/all-mattress-recyclers/
- Drop It Off: Business – Bye Bye Mattress | A Program of the Mattress Recycling Council – https://byebyemattress.com/drop-it-off-business/
- How to Dispose of a Mattress – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/mattress-disposal-guide
- MATTRESS DROP-OFF – https://www.midwaycitysanitaryca.gov/mattress-drop-off
- Don’t Just Toss Your Old Mattress. These Are the Best Eco-Friendly Alternatives – https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/dont-just-toss-your-old-mattress-these-are-the-best-eco-friendly-alternatives/
- Mattress recycling and disposal from King County’s LinkUp program – King County, Washington – https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/programs/linkup/mattresses
- Mattress disposal and removal solutions – https://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/what-we-take/mattress_disposal
- How to Dispose of a Mattress – https://sleepdoctor.com/best-mattress/mattress-disposal/