The Importance of Recycling Your Mattress

Every year in the United States, 20 million mattresses end up in landfills. To put this into perspective, that amount of mattresses could circle the earth.

Mattresses are bad news for landfills for more than one reason:

1. Mattresses are bulky and don’t compact well.
2. Their springs often cause damage to equipment, making them costly to dump.
3. When a mattress sits in a landfill, flammable air pockets often form within its layers.
4. Some mattresses contain non-biodegradable chemicals that can seep into drinking water.
5. Mattresses take a decade to decompose.

Yikes.

The worst part? Most people don’t realize the materials used to make mattresses are 85% recyclable, making this issue easily avoidable.

But for something purchased once a decade, it’s not surprising people have no clue what to do with old mattresses.

So, here’s a quick guide for getting rid of your unwanted mattress without destroying the earth:

Step 1: Decide if you need a new mattress

The average lifespan of a traditional innerspring mattress is seven to ten years. However, if you’ve had your mattress for more than five years, it’s most definitely lurking with dust mites, bacteria, and other microorganisms that have crept into your mattress layers.

Here are a few tell-tale signs it’s time for a new mattress:

• You wake up with aches and pains
• You sleep better in hotels or some place other than your bed
• Your mattress has developed a sag towards the middle
• Your mattress feels “lumpy”
• You find yourself unable to get comfortable

Step 2: Assess the condition your mattress is in

Next, you’ll need to assess the condition your mattress is in. The condition of your mattress will determine where it can be sent.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does the mattress have any rips?
• Are there any stains on the mattress?

Step 3: Determine the fate of your mattress

If you answered “yes” to either of the above questions, you should consider recycling your mattress. If you answered “no,” you should consider donating your mattress.

Recycling your mattress

The core materials of your mattress (foam, steel, fibers and wood) can be extracted and sorted by recycling facilities. The scraps gathered are then sold to material buyers for repurposing. Your mattress has the potential to become yarn, mulch, carpet underlay, clothing, and much more.

To find a place to recycle near you, check out Earth 911, Bye Bye Mattress, or Keep America Beautiful.

Donating your mattress

If your mattress is in an acceptable condition for donation, call the local charity in your neighborhood to see if they accept mattress donations. There are many laws about donating and selling used mattresses, so there is a chance this may not be an option in your area. However, if you can donate, most of the time the charity will come pick up the mattress from your house for free.

To find a place to donate your mattress, call the local Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army or even your church.

Now you—and your mattress—can rest in peace knowing you have disposed of it responsibly. Pat yourself on the back for helping our world become a better, and greener, place.