Mattresses typically end up in landfills, but there are greener ways of disposing of old mattresses. Donating or recycling their parts (e.g. steel springs can be taken to scrap metal dealers to be sold back) are just two examples.
Alternately, you could list them on local free stuff or Facebook Marketplace groups. Or try finding a charity which accepts them – such as homeless shelters or churches.
Donate it to a charity
Donating is the quickest and easiest way to dispose of an old mattress. There are numerous online resources such as Donation Town which list charities who accept them; local organizations may even need one! Before donating it, though, make sure it is in good condition; any major stains or defects might prevent charities from accepting it as donations.
Some organizations will send someone out to collect your mattress and transport it directly to a recycling center. Meanwhile, charities such as Habitat for Humanity build homes for low-income families while needing furniture from these donations for furnishing these houses. Also check the Furniture Bank Network website to see if there’s one near you!
Cut your mattress up into pieces and reuse its pieces for home projects, such as hanging artwork or creating a headboard from its steel components and springs, using foam pieces for pet beds, cushions or pillows and even cutting up an old memory foam mattress to soundproof a wall!
Call a junk removal service instead. These local companies operate more cost-effectively and affordably than the landfill. There are also plenty of websites dedicated to waste disposal that provide information and reviews of various providers so you can select the most appropriate service provider.
Disassemble it for parts
Are You Skilled at DIY Crafts? If you are, disassembling an old mattress to recycle its various components for use in different projects is a rewarding DIY craft activity that can provide endless rewards. Fabric and stuffing may be used to make new pillows or reupholster furniture; metal springs may be sold off at scrap yards for some money; while ottomans, play surfaces for children or dog beds could all make use of old mattresses!
Donating your old mattress to charity can also be done locally; Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity are great choices that offer home pick-up and convenient drop-off locations near you. Donation Town also makes finding local charities accepting mattress donations easy!
Many cities and states have regulations regarding disposing of mattresses, so before disposing of your mattress it is wise to check local regulations first. Many regulations include restrictions on which materials can be placed into dumpsters – for more information check your city website for more details.
Once bedbug infestation has been eliminated, recycling your mattress is often preferable to disposing of it by throwing it out. Not only is recycling good for the environment, but recycling keeps pollutant-filled landfills clean as well. Junk removal companies can collect and dispose of it properly.
Repurpose it for a craft project
Before disposing of an old mattress, be sure to inquire at your local recycling center if they accept them. Some larger organizations have stricter rules against mattresses due to regulatory and storage-space issues; however, many smaller collectives and non-profit groups accept them.
Contact your local junk removal service and see if they will pick up your mattress for a small additional fee; this option is much safer and simpler than hauling it yourself to the curb. Alternatively, check Facebook Marketplace or local buy-and-sell groups for someone interested in your old mattress who might buy it as it will save time lugging it around yourself!
Old mattress parts can be transformed into arts and crafts projects and home decorations. Steel springs, buttons, fabric remnants can all be recycled into creative plant and candle holders, ornaments or decorations; while their wooden frames can become shelves or room dividers.
Foam from an old memory foam mattress can be recycled into carpet padding, cushions, pillows and other craft projects by shredding it up into small pieces and reusing them as carpet padding, cushion fillings, pillows or fabric paint projects. Or it can even be donated to local scrap yards in exchange for cash payment per pound! For families with young children, it can also serve as an imaginative play area or trampoline – or turned into fabric art with fabric paint and additional fabric pieces!
Give it to an animal shelter
If your mattress is still in decent condition but does not meet donation or recycling standards, consider giving it to an animal shelter. These organizations often have limited resources; extra beds could make a big difference for those they serve. Contact the shelter directly or use Donation Town to locate charities in your area that accept furniture donations.
Local charities and organizations also accept used mattresses for homeless populations in addition to domestic violence victims or disaster relief efforts. For example, The Salvation Army distributes donated items through thrift stores and community programs to families in need; their pick-up services typically accept mattresses in good condition. Other organizations that accept donated mattresses include Catholic Charities, Furniture Bank Association, Habitat for Humanity.
Alternatively, if you don’t prefer DIY projects, another easy way to dispose of an old mattress for free would be listing it on an online marketplace or classifieds site such as Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, Craigslist or OfferUp. With their trackable profiles and direct messaging systems, these platforms make great tools for repurposing household items while finding new owners for them – recycling metal springs into decorative items while wooden components may become plant/candle holders or used for other home projects are just two options among many!
