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Don’t Lose Sleep Over How to Get Rid of Your Mattress
Trying to figure out how to get rid of mattresses? Explore your options for mattress disposal and see how to prepare your mattress for recycling.Byline: BTB Editor
January 20, 2025 / Time to read: 5 minUnless you’re a magician, your old mattress likely won’t fit in your curbside recycling bin. Even if it could, it definitely
And that’s welcome news since
Not sure how to get rid of a mattress? We’ll walk through some of the whys and hows of mattress recycling so you can bid adieu to yours with confidence.
Why You Should Recycle Your Mattress
When it comes to discarded household items, mattresses are about as big as you can get. It should come as no surprise that they take up a ton of space at landfills — we’re taking up to
Mattress Repurposing
Both because of their size and how they’re constructed, mattresses can be a little challenging to recycle. But exciting innovations — including
Components of recycled mattresses can be turned into all sorts of
- Cotton and foam can be shredded into carpet padding and insulation
- Coils can be melted down and used for new steel products such as hardware, tools and car components
- Wood frames can be reconstructed into shipping pallets or chipped for fuel pellets and mulch
How to Prepare Your Mattress for Recycling
Before you strap your mattress to the top of your car or place it curbside, make sure it’s prepped for recycling.
Remove Bedding
While this one may be a no-brainer, we’ll say it just in case! Go ahead and remove all sheets and covers before you recycle your mattress.
Disassemble (if Necessary)
Some recycling centers won’t take whole mattresses. In that case, check and see if they’ll let you recycle parts of it once you separate the recyclable and unrecyclable elements. While not the easiest task, you can
Wrap it Up
How to Get Rid of Mattresses
Here are some good options to discard mattresses responsibly.
Find a Bye Bye Mattress Program
The Mattress Recycling Council operates the
Contact Your Town’s Public Works Department
You can either call or email your local public works department to ask if they recycle mattresses, or you can visit your municipality or state websites for more information.
Ask Your Retailer
When you purchase a new mattress, ask the retailer if they’ll collect your old one. Many retailers
Donate it
If your mattress is in great shape — meaning it’s free from pests, rips and major stains — you may be able to give it another life before it’s recycled. Local shelters and non-profit organizations, including
Schedule a Pickup
Mattresses are considered
Don’t Sleep on Mattress Recycling
Replacing a mattress may seem daunting, but you can sleep well on your new mattress knowing that you took care of your old one the right way.
