How To Dispose Of Old Mattress

How To Properly Dispose Of An Old Mattress

Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to get rid of your old mattress. Regular garbage removal services can carry away bulky items upon request but will not pick up a mattress that’s just been left on the curb. Donating an old mattress to Goodwill or a similar organization is always recommended.

In some cases, you may have to haul your old mattress to the nearest landfill or recycling center to dispose of it properly. Let’s look at these disposal options in more detail.

1. Recycle The Mattress

Your best option may be to recycle the mattress. When taken apart, more than 90% of the mattress can be recycled. Research a list of specialty mattress recycling facilities in your area if you choose to go this route. These places will ultimately dismantle your mattress and recycle each of the parts.

After stripping the mattress, the wood can be recycled into much-needed landscaping materials. Foam can be used as either insulation or padding, while metal springs are quite easy to recycle.

2. Sell It

Instead of further filling up landfills, you could try to sell your old mattress. Just make sure the mattress is clean and stain free. Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace are good sites to sell an old mattress. Including your mattress in a yard sale is another option.

3. Donate The Mattress

You may be able to donate your mattress if it is still in good shape overall. Goodwill does not accept mattresses, but there are a few donation centers that do. Again, make sure your mattress is clean and gently used before attempting to donate it. Homeless shelters and furniture banks are likely to accept mattresses.

4. Repurpose

Most mattresses can be turned into nice braiding or buttons. You could also use the old springs in your outdoor garden for fencing or trellises.

Can I Throw My Mattress In A Dumpster?

While, of course, disposal regulations differ in every city or municipality, there are some items that cannot be thrown in a dumpster. This is usually because the following items may be considered hazardous or could possibly damage the dumpster. Mattresses, however, should never be disposed of in a dumpster.

The following items should not be thrown in a dumpster:

• Mattresses 
• Tires
• Air conditioners
• Printer cartridges
• Electronics
• Light bulbs
• Hazardous materials
• Propane tanks
• Paint and paint cans
• Car batteries
• Food waste