How to Dispose of Your Old Mattress When You Buy a Replacement

Getting rid of large items isn’t easy. That’s the case with many old mattresses whether they’re from a sofa, RV, boat or truck. These mattresses may be past their prime, but that doesn’t mean that they have to go into the landfill.

Numerous options are available for people who have recently replaced a mattress and need to dispose of the old one. Consider why you replaced the mattress to help you determine proper disposal methods. Maybe it just wasn’t as comfortable as it used to be or perhaps you simply don’t like it. Essentially, that mattress could still be perfectly usable.

Try Mattress Donation

Donating the mattress is an excellent solution. However, it is important to call or check the website of any charity before you drive to a donation site. Local ordinances or the charity’s own rules may make it impossible for them to accept the donation of a mattress, but you can start by checking with Goodwill, the National Furniture Bank Association, Vietnam Veterans of America or The Salvation Army.

If you can’t find a charity that’s able to take the old mattress, then check out the Freecycle Network. You’ll find it on the Internet. It’s the place many people go to find free stuff. You just want to make sure that they’re willing to pick it up themselves.

Alternatively, consider posting the old mattress to the free section on Craigslist. Many people are eager to pick up a slightly used mattress for an incredibly good price.

Recycling: An Excellent, Environmentally Friendly Choice

If you can’t find a charity or individual who is willing to accept the mattress, then recycling may be the answer. For instance, the Oregon chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society has a mattress recycling center in Oakland, California. Similar facilities for other charities are found in diverse places like South Carolina and Massachusetts. Another option is to visit ByeByeMattress.com. This useful website will help you find suitable recycling facilities in your local area.

These facilities are designed to efficiently tear down mattresses into their component parts so that they can be recycled and used again. That’s an earth-friendly solution that you can be proud of.

The Do-It-Yourself Mattress Breakdown

If you’re not having much luck giving away your old mattress for reusing or recycling, then you might consider breaking it down into its component parts. This option only really works if that old mattress is an innerspring model.

If you’ve got a utility knife and bailing twine, then you have everything you need to get the job done. Cut off and remove the covers, then you’re left with the metal springs. Most recycling facilities will happily accept the metal, and the rolled-up material is easy enough to place in the garbage.

Junk It

If all else fails and you must put that mattress in the trash, make sure you do it right. Check with your local garbage collection service regarding the proper procedure for throwing away a mattress without getting fined.