Recycling Guide: How To Recycle Mattresses And Box Springs

Health and wellness experts recommend replacing your mattress every five to 10 years. By the time a mattress is 10 years old, its foam has degraded, it's compressed, the springs have worn out and it's likely full of dust and dust mites. When you do replace your old mattress, you might be tempted to stick it in the guest room, pass it onto a friend or give it away to someone in need. However, this isn't recommended. Worn-out mattresses shouldn't be reused, and everyone deserves a quality night's sleep. Use these tips to safely and responsibly recycle your old mattress and box spring.

Schedule Mattress Pickup and Disposal

Ask the store or company from which you purchase your new mattress if they will remove the old one for you. Many companies will do this. You may also want to know what they'll do with it. Some companies disassemble old mattresses and box springs. They recycle the metal and compost or recycle the organic components, including cotton, wool, cellulose and wood. The wood can be used in mulch, and cotton and wool are spun into new threads. Even the synthetic components can be recycled into new plastic products, such as park benches and playground surfaces.

Many mattress companies and stores will haul away the old mattress and box spring at no cost or for a small fee. Keep in mind that you'll need to wrap the mattress and box spring in plastic for the health and safety of the crew removing them from your home.

Arrange a Bulk Pickup

Many municipalities offer bulk curbside pickup service for household waste. Your community may offer this for large items, including mattresses and box springs. If you're not sure if this service is available in your area, it's worth a call to the local waste management or recycling center. The city's public services department may also be able to provide you with information about curbside pickup and recycling of your mattress and box spring.

When you have a date for the curbside pickup service, adhere to the community's guidelines for when to place the mattress at the curb. It's not wise to haul it out and leave it at the curb for a whole week. You could be ticketed for leaving refuse on your property if you put the mattress or box spring out too early. There's also a chance that a "curb shopper" may pick up your old mattress or box spring and haul it away for their own use. If that's the case, then you've accomplished your goal of keeping a reusable or recyclable item out of the dump.

Search for Specialty Recycling Centers

You may be surprised to discover that your community has a mattress recycling center. These are places that deconstruct the mattress and separate it into its wood, metal, padding and fabric components. The items are reused or recycled. Mattress recycling centers are located throughout the United States. Your local waste management agency or community government may have additional information about public and private companies that offer mattress recycling. You may have to transport the mattress and box spring to the facility yourself, which may not be as convenient as other mattress recycling options.

Donate It

If your mattress and box spring are only a few years old, you may be able to donate them. Many charities accept gently used mattresses and give them to domestic violence shelters, halfway houses, refugee housing services and low-income members of the community. Furniture banks may accept gently used mattresses, too. If you use social media, check out local buy nothing groups, Freecycle groups and other community resource groups where people give away things they don't want or need. Note that people might be suspicious of a used mattress due to the risk of biohazards and bedbugs, so you might not get any takers even if the mattress is only a year or two old. Recycling may be faster and easier, and you won't have to deal with no-shows and people who want you to deliver the mattress and take it up to their bedroom.

Sleep Well

A new mattress that supports your body, has the right type of cushioning for your joints and provides you with enough space to stretch and sleep in your preferred position is worth its weight in gold. You'll sleep soundly on a supportive, comfortable and right-sized mattress. While new mattresses are an investment, think of it as an investment in your sleep and overall well-being. Getting enough sleep lowers your risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, depression and injuries. As a person who's concerned about their carbon footprint and overall environmental impact, finding a way to recycle your old mattress will also help you sleep better at night.