How to Get Rid of Your Old Mattress
One of the hardest parts of buying a new bed is figuring out how to dispose of your old mattress. While many people welcome second-hand furniture, mattresses are a different story.
A well-used mattress contains dead skin cells, dust mites, and sweat from the previous owner. So unless your mattress is in pristine condition, passing it on may prove difficult. Instead, turn to these places for mattress disposal and recycling.
Mattress Recycling Options
It can take over 100 years for a mattress to break down in a landfill. Recycling is the best way to get rid of your old mattress without contributing to pollution. Here are your options.
Have the New Mattress Company take the Old One
The best and easiest way to get rid of your old mattress is to have the new mattress company haul it away. If you bought locally, and the company is delivering, have them take the old one and recycle it.
When shopping for a mattress, inquire about recycling options before making a purchase.
Donate (Lightly-Used Mattresses)
If you have a lightly used mattress in a guest bedroom and it’s still in great shape, you can donate it. The best way to donate a mattress is to pass it on to friends or a family member in need. You can also list it on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist or take it to the Salvation Army or Furniture Bank Network.
Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity don’t accept mattresses.
Have 1-800-Got-Junk Recycle Your Mattress
If you’re willing to pay for their services, 1-800-Got-Junk will pick up your old mattress and ensure that it’s recycled. They take most types of mattresses and can recycle up to 90% of the components.
Find a Local Mattress Recycling Center on Earth911
Earth911 is a resource dedicated to the recycling of common household goods. Use their directory to input your zip code and type “mattress” under the search prompt. If there are any recycling centers near you, they will display them.
Disassemble the Mattress and Recycle Individual Parts
Finding a recycling center might prove difficult if you live rurally or in a state without mattress recycling laws. An alternate way to recycle is to disassemble and recycle what you can. For instance, you can cash in the metal coils at a scrap yard, recycle memory foam, and recycle the wooden frame.
You can discard non-recyclable components.
Mattress Disposal: Where to Throw Out a Mattress
If you’re unable to recycle, here’s how to dispose of your mattress.
Contact Your Curbside Trash Removal Service
If you have curbside trash pickup, contact your trash provider to inquire about mattress removal. Mattresses are “bulk waste,” and you can schedule a pickup, often for a small fee.
Haul the Mattress to the Landfill
Those who don’t have a trash service can take their mattress to the nearest landfill for a fee. Check your state and local laws first – California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have mattress recycling laws. Instead of hauling the mattress to the dump, you can take advantage of their programs and locate a recycling option. Learn more about these mattress recycling programs here.
Hire a Junk Removal Company
For mattress disposal, consider contacting a local junk removal service. They will come to your house, load up your mattress and recycle or properly dispose of it.