There are more options than simply sending your old mattress off to the dumpster
A great mattress is the foundation of a good sleep, but even the most supportive ones eventually need replacement. When it’s time for a new one, though, it brings along a slight problem—how do you dispose of your old mattress? Sure, you can try setting it out on the curb and seeing if your regular trash pickup will take it, but spoiler alert: They don’t have to.
Thankfully, you do have other options, such as taking it to a recycling center yourself, donating it, or upcycling it for other purposes. Here are some of the best scenarios available for those asking how to dispose of a mattress.
It may surprise you to know there are over 50,000 mattresses thrown out every day in the U.S., filling up our landfills on a daily basis. Mattresses contain quite a bit of material too, from fabric and filling to coils and foam, and they take decades—possibly even over a century—to completely break down. But taking the care to recycle parts of the mattress or extend its life in some way can avoid adding to the environmental burden.
The first thing to know about disposing of a mattress is whether or not you can set it out for your trash service. Most waste disposal companies don’t take mattresses on the curb and require prior arrangements if they do offer pickup service. But here are the other options you have.
There are a handful of states offering free mattress recycling through a partnership with the Mattress Recycling Council: California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island offer this program. Participants can either drop off, schedule a curbside pickup, or participate in a retailer drop-off option.
Even if you don’t live in one of the states offering the program, you can still research any mattress recycling events hosted near you. Many cities offer drop-off programs or pickup, but there may be a fee involved. You can also easily search through the Earth 911 database for information on nearby mattress recycling locations.
If there’s not a recycling program you can participate in, you can call the municipality or private company you use for waste disposal. They can advise you on any options for mattress pickup, for which they may charge a fee.
Numerous retailers offer a pickup option for your old one if you’re purchasing a new mattress from them or if it’s a company offering a buyback program. Keep in mind there may be a separate charge for this, and it doesn’t necessarily mean your mattress is getting recycled.
If your mattress is in good condition—free from stains, rips, tears, holes, or bed bugs—consider donating it to a local charity. Places like domestic violence shelters, animal shelters, local homeless shelters, or community organizations may have options for taking in your gently used mattress.
If you’re unable to find a charity that needs a mattress, you can try giving it away to someone in your network. You may know of a student who is furnishing their first apartment or a friend who recently moved into a new place with a tight budget. A new-to-them mattress may be just what they need for completing a bedroom.
You can break down the mattress yourself and recycle it in bits and pieces. This is especially helpful if you don’t have a mattress recycling center near you. Although you need the space and tools for dismantling it, you can recycle various parts, such as the coil springs, at a metal recycling yard.
If you’re a little crafty or not afraid of DIY, you can upcycle or repurpose parts of your mattress. For example, you can use it for:
Outdoor use. A wooden box spring can transform into a raised garden bed, or you can shred it and make your own mulch.
Padding or insulation. You can repurpose the mattress filling into added insulation, padding, floor cushions, or protective blankets for use around the house.
Pet beds. Give your furry friend a new place to sleep by using the mattress foam, cutting it down to your pet’s size, and covering it with a comfortable fabric.
You have several options for recycling, repurposing, or removing your old mattress. But before you decide which route you want to take, there are a few things you can do to help move your decision along.
Inspect the mattress first. Before you sell it, take a few minutes to check for rips, tears, stains, bed bugs, or mold. If you spot any of these major issues, it almost certainly rules out donating or selling it.
Seal the mattress if you have bed bugs. If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, not only can you not sell it or donate it, but recycling likely isn’t an option either. Instead, you can seal it tightly and call a local junk removal service.
Check if you’re under a warranty. Many mattress manufacturers offer warranties for several years, and some are even for a lifetime. If your mattress has damage due to a manufacturing defect, the original manufacturer’s warranty may cover it and make it eligible for repair or replacement.
Enlist some help. No matter where you’re moving your mattress to, it’s a good idea to have an extra set of hands helping you move it. A mattress is awkward and heavy, and it may even weigh more than when you first purchased it. Arrange to have someone help you with the moving so you don’t strain your back or worse.
The average lifespan of a mattress is seven to 10 years, but this number may vary depending on how well it’s taken care of and what type of mattress it is. Coil mattresses have a lower life expectancy, while a latex mattress can last many years longer. Using a mattress protector, rotating it on a regular basis, and vacuuming it monthly are other ways you can help extend the life of your mattress too.
If your mattress is still in good condition, you can try selling it first. There are plenty of people outfitting a new bedroom and may need an affordable mattress option. You can try selling through a digital marketplace or through your network of friends and family. If selling isn’t an option, you can check out any recycling programs near you or donate it to a local charity.
