So the time has come to dispose of your mattress.
Tossing out your mattress definitely isn’t as easy as taking out the garbage. But if it’s time to replace your current one to get a new one, don’t put it off any longer. The last thing you want is an old mattress collecting dust in storage!
The good news is there are several ways to best dispose of your mattress. We go into them all for you below.
How do I know that it’s time to dispose of my mattress?
If you’re still unsure about disposing of your mattress, here are some signs to observe:
You’ve had your current mattress for 8+ year
You wake up feeling tired and achy
Increased difficulty getting comfortable or falling asleep
You wake up feeling congested from allergies
It creaks when you move on it
There is visible wear on the mattress (sagging, odours, noise springs, lumps, etc.)
If one or more of the above apply to your current situation, then it’s time to get a new mattress and dispose of your old one. And now the question is, how do you get rid of it?
The 5 Best Ways to Dispose of Your Mattress
Ask Mattress Retailer
Before exploring your disposal options, always double-check your mattress warranty. In some cases, the seller or manufacturer will offer disposal or buyback services.
On the other hand, if you’re shopping for a new replacement mattress in-store, ask about their disposal or mattress hauling services. They will likely deliver your new mattress, so they will also likely be able to dispose of your old one at the same time. In some cases, they might offer this service free as an incentive to buy.
Donate
If your mattress is still in decent condition or you haven’t had it that long, donating it to a good cause may be worth considering. Some organizations will take a lightly used mattress to resell or re-use and it could really benefit someone in need. On the other hand, some organizations may not accept mattress donations depending on their policies. Below are some good places to start if you do want to go this route:
Donationtown.org: They will help you find a charity near you that will take your mattress off your hands. And their site also has a free, searchable database for finding local charities across the states and in some Canadian provinces.
Habitat for Humanity: A well known international organization, Habitat for Humanity helps people all over the world build or improve a place they call home. They operate a chain of thrift stores, called Restore. But seeing as though each store location is different with their donation policies, it’s best to call the one near you ahead.
Goodwill: Goodwill is another well known worldwide network of community-based nonprofits that sell donated items, provide job training programs, and employment placement opportunities. There are more than 3,300 Goodwill stores in North America alone. Like Habitat for Humanity, each Goodwill thrift store will have its own policies so get in touch with your local retailer to be sure.
Furniture Bank Association of America: Their mission is to donate furniture items at little or no cost to individuals and families that are financially struggling. They operate over 80 furniture banks across the U.S. and sometimes accept used mattresses in good condition. Pick-up services are limited to a 20 mile radius of the nearest location, but if you’re able to drop it off yourself – that’s better. Find a furniture bank and call ahead.
Local Shelters or Churches: A quick google search or crowdsource from your community will also bring up a plethora of smaller, locally based churches and shelters, including women’s shelters, homeless youth shelters, etc. Calling churches and centres ahead of time will inform you of their need for lightly used mattresses.
But again, if your mattress is in rough shape or you’re not sleeping well on it, it’s probably not fit for donation. Always put yourself in the shoes of the person receiving it. If you wouldn’t want it at its current state, then look over our other recommendations.
Recycle
Did you know: about 20 million mattresses end up in landfills every year!!! And unfortunately, many parts of a mattress don’t decompose well.
Recycling your mattress is one of the more environmentally friendly options, considering about 80-90% of mattresses can be reused or repurposed to create new products. However, it’s not as easy as leaving your mattress out on recycling day. But if you do a bit of research or feel creative, this can be a great way to reduce your ecological footprint!
Recycling Centres: Do a quick internet search and make some phone calls to find a recycling facility in your area that disposes of mattresses. You can use these online databases to help narrow your research: ByeByeMattress.com and Earth911. In most cases, you’ll be expected to pay a small fee for recycling your mattress at a local facility and an add-on for pickup services.
DIY Recycling: If you’re up for the challenge, why not venture to break down the mattress into recyclable parts yourself. Taking parts of the mattress may be easier to put out with your regular neighbourhood recycling or to transport to local recycling facilities. Even more, if your mattress had metal springs, you may be able to sell them at a local scrap metal dealership.
Upcycle: Feeling particularly creative? There are plenty of ways you could upcycle and reuse parts of your mattress to give them a new life. Have a garden? Use the wooden box spring for a plant bed. Need some new house decor? Get crafty and make a bookshelf, wine rack, or a pinboard for office notes; the possibilities are endless.
Selling your mattress
If you’re tight on cash and looking to make some extra moola, then selling your mattress locally is definitely another viable option – that is if you find a buyer.
There are several online apps or sites such as Kijiji, Craigslist or Letgo that you could use as a starting point. From there, it’s good courtesy to have your used mattress professionally cleaned before disposing it to a new owner. It’s important to be reasonable with your price point. You will likely not get it for the original price you paid, but add a detailed description with the brand, firmness and age. Then get ready to do some negotiating.
Throwing out your mattress
If recycling, reusing or donating is not ideal for you, it’s possible to turn to a junk removal service to dispose of your mattress. National and local junk removal companies are widely available, and more are starting to also recycle mattresses they receive. Research the options available for you and compare costs. Most companies will charge by volume and pick-up.
Don’t Leave It Until the Last Minute
If you’re in the market for a new mattress and looking to dispose of your current one, be sure of the disposal avenue you wish to use ahead of time. Whether you recycle, donate or sell, aim to have this sorted so you can enjoy your new mattress stress-free!
