How to Recycle Mattresses

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Mattresses are just about the bulkiest item a consumer can recycle. On the plus side, you’re likely only disposing of one once every 10 to 20 years, but the size and weight means it won’t be an easy process.

The good news is that mattresses contain several valuable materials like steel that increases the recycling market. However, most mattress recycling companies don’t want to deal with consumers disposing of one mattress, especially if you need it hauled away. This means your best bet is to find a hauler who will recycle it for you.

Here are the four best options (in order of ease and cost) to accomplish this:

• If you’re buying a replacement mattress that is being delivered, ask if the store will haul away your old mattress for recycling.
• If your local recycling program offers bulk waste collection, call and ask if mattresses are included and recycled.
• Call a secondhand store like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or St. Vincent de Paul (each local affiliate has different acceptance/collection rules) and ask if mattress donations are accepted/hauled away for recycling.
• If you’re recycling a mattress to clean out a property, find a local hauling company that will take away this and other items for recycling. You can find these companies in the phone book or using an online search engine like Yelp.

Why should I recycle my mattress?

Roughly 80 percent of materials in the average mattress can be easily recycled, yet each year in the U.S., we throw out 15 to 20 million mattresses, and they take up 40 cubic feet of space in a landfill.

What types of recyclable materials are in mattresses?

Your standard mattress is comprised of a wood frame, steel springs, polyurethane foam and an outer fabric. During recycling, the top layer of fabric is cut, peeled and separated to expose the remaining materials.

Metal springs are sold as scrap metal, as steel is one of the most commonly recycled materials in the world. The wood is often chipped or used for mulch. The foam can be recycled into carpet padding, and fabrics can be recycled into industrial machinery filters.

How do I dispose of air mattresses and waterbeds?

While these types of mattresses are easy to break down, they lack the valuable materials that would justify the costs of recycling. If at all possible, try to repair these mattresses yourself, such as patching holes to prevent leaks. Otherwise, you should drain them so they take up as little space as possible and dispose in the garbage.

Source: Earth911

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