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It looks like a challenge to dispose of an old mattress. And it is true if you are not aware of the options you have to restore or donate your mattress.
The first thing that comes to mind is to leave your mattress next to the trash bins at the end of your driveway. Let’s presume the trash company will even pick it up. Then your old mattress will end up in landfills, instead of being recycled or reused.
Such waste is harmful to the environment. We live in a time where everything is disposable and sustainable resources are of great importance.
Below is a list of different ways to get rid of an old mattress in a responsible and environmentally safe way.
In This Post:
Recycle an Old Mattress
Recycle your mattress to contribute to a greener future.
“There is a great diversity of mattress companies and models. Materials used in production vary – foams and fabrics, wood, plastic, metal, wool, and even animal hair”, told us USA dumpster professional Luke Hancock. “Separate these components apart and reuse them in new DIY projects or add them to your firewood pile. Have in mind that most of them, if not all, are recyclable. If you have a car air mattress or an inflatable one, Earth911.com to find a plastic recycling center near you”, adds the expert.
If you plan to go with recycling, locate a recycling center nearby:
- BeRecycled.org – based on your zip code, the program helps discover the nearest recycling facility.
- Find the best option in your area with this list of 100 recyclers.
- Look for ByeByeMattress.com. An organization that collects a fee for every mattress that is sold to aid mattress recycling.
Donate an Old Mattress
People in need can benefit from a second-hand mattress. If you think yours is still in good shape, do a good deed and donate it.
Avoid donating a mattress that has bedbugs. Make sure it is in excellent condition and it has a clean and well-attached cover. Small rips or tears and slight stains are acceptable.
Locate local branches of the charity organizations below:
- DonationTown.org – Organization that helps locate a charity near you. Currently works across 30 cities in the US.
- Habitat.org – They donate furniture items from businesses and individuals to financially struggling families.
- Furniturebanks.org – Collects unwanted furniture in good condition to donate to families in need.
- Scheduleapickup.com (Vietnam Veterans of America) – Collects donations of household goods and clothes and provides them to American Veterans and their families.
- Goodwill.org – The donated mattress must be in good shape!
- The SalvationArmy.org – Will pick up your old mattress from your home for free.
- If you are located in an area where none of the above are available consider shelters, churches, or even local furniture stores.
Find Your Old Mattress a New Home
If it’s not an option to donate your mattress, give it away for free. It might surprise you how many people can utilize a second-hand mattress in good condition.
- Maybe a soon-to-be-married couple, a friend, neighbor, or coworker?
- How about family members – sisters, nephews, cousins, nieces, grandparents?
- People online? Read more on that below.
And here are 9 Ways to Make Your Old Mattress Feel Like New.
Sell a Used Old Mattress
Get back some of the money you invested in your mattress. On condition that it is in good shape, resell it to someone who needs cheap affordable furniture.
List Your Mattress for Sale on These Apps and Online Platforms:
- Reddit;
- LetGo;
- OfferUp;
- Craigslist;
- NextDoor;
- Twitter;
- Facebook Marketplace.
Take good photos of the mattress and post an accurate description (dimensions, age, firmness, etc.) Arm yourself with patience because you might receive questions from interested buyers.
Besides Online, There Are Options to Sell Locally Offline:
- Make fliers or sales ads. Take photos of the mattress, add information regarding its condition, and your contact information.
- Spread the fliers around your community. Some places that might allow advertising are coffee shops, libraries, local supermarkets, and community centers.
Bear in mind, that it is illegal to sell used mattresses in some states. In order to avoid trouble, check your state’s laws.
Take-Back Programs
Some furniture companies provide take-back programs.
After you make a purchase from them, several years down the road when you are ready to buy a new mattress, the company collects the old one. They do so to secure another purchase in the future.
This is a convenient and practical way to dispose of your old mattress if you are certain that the company will stay in business for the near future. There might be an additional fee at the time of purchase.
Before you get rid of your mattress check the warranty. Usually, mattresses come with a warranty from 5 to 10 years. Some manufactures and resellers give the option to buy back or dispose of the mattress.
Get Crafty and DIY
It is great for the environment to reuse and repurpose old items instead of throwing them away. Prepare yourself with the right tools and equipment, some patience, and try it.
Start а fun DIY project with your old mattress. It will definitely be a challenge and time-consuming, but the end results are worth it. Equip yourself with the right DIY tools and start your project.
Below are some ideas:
- Pet beds: Prepare a soft bed for your pet with the padding or foam from an old mattress.
- Memory board: Use part of the frame from an old mattress and mount it to your wall. Then add photos and keepsakes.
- Cushions: Stuff your favorite cushions with padding to make them more puffed up.
- Packing material: Use the padding and foam to wrap items and protect them when shipping.
- Sewing projects: Use fabrics and buttons to incorporate in future designs.
- Wine rack: Use the inside of a spring-based mattress to display your wine bottles.
- Outdoor furniture and decor: Decorate your outdoor space with unique pieces made from the springs or the bed frames.
- Composting: Use the wood slats from an old mattress to build a compost bin. Attach the cover to make a lid.
To Summarize
Now you know how to get rid of your old mattress sustainably and protect the environment.
Follow the mentioned above tips and enjoy a guilt-free sleep.
