If you’ve recently upgraded your bed or are planning to, you might be wondering how to get rid of a mattress. It’s not as simple as tossing it in the bin or leaving it on the curb for the council to collect. There are specific rules and regulations surrounding mattress disposal, and it’s essential to follow them. This article will guide you through the process of getting rid of your old mattress responsibly and efficiently.
Why You Can’t Just Throw Away Your Mattress
Before we delve into how to get rid of a mattress, let’s discuss why you can’t just throw it away. Mattresses are bulky items that take up a lot of space in landfills. They’re also made up of materials that can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of correctly.
Additionally, many cities have laws against leaving large items like mattresses on the pavement without proper notice or arrangement. Doing so could result in fines or penalties. Therefore, it’s crucial to find out what your local regulations are before deciding how to dispose of your old mattress.
Options For Getting Rid Of Your Old Mattress
There are several ways you can responsibly get rid of your old mattress:
- Recycling: Many parts of a mattress, such as metal springs and foam, can be recycled. Some counties have waste transfer sites (WTS) that will send mattresses off for mattress recycling but check this first, as some WTSs will simply send them to be incinerated. Other locations may be serviced by recycling companies like ours (covering East & West Sussex) and offer a mattress collection service.
- Donation: If your mattress is still in good condition, consider donating it. Many charities accept used mattresses as long as they’re clean, free from bed bugs and have a fire label.
- Waste Clearance Companies: If recycling or donation is an option for you (perhaps you need a lot of mixed waste collecting in one go by just one company), you may be considering hiring a waste clearance company. These companies will pick up and dispose of your old mattress for a fee. We are proud to work with many waste clearance companies in the region – so if recycling your old mattress is an important part of this process, feel free to check with the company in advance. If they are a partner with Recycle My Mattress, they will bring your old mattress to us for recycling.
- When purchasing a new mattress, some retailers (such as Simply Beds Sussex) offer mattress recycling services at the point of delivery. They haul away your old mattress when they deliver your new one, then send it away for recycling. This service is usually available for an extra fee when selecting your delivery service. Check with your retailer first if they plan to simply dispose of your old mattress (in which case it will be sent to landfill) or send it away for recycling.
How To Recycle Your Mattress
Recycling is a great option for getting rid of a mattress because it’s environmentally friendly. To recycle your mattress, first check if your city offers mattress recycling at the local waste transfer site. If it does, you can usually drop off your old mattress at a designated location or schedule a pickup. You will need to check with them first for any fees, as most places will charge you for this.
If your city doesn’t have a specific program, check with local recycling companies to see if they accept mattresses. Keep in mind that you may need to bring the mattress to the ground floor so it can be taken away.
Donating Your Mattress
Donation is another excellent option for how to get rid of a mattress, especially if it’s still in good condition. Many charities accept used mattresses and distribute them to people in need (provided they have a fire label). Before donating, make sure to clean the mattress thoroughly and check for any signs of bed bugs.
Recycle My Mattress is proud to work with local charities and will look to donate any mattresses which are still clean/good enough for another lease of life somewhere.
Conclusion
Knowing how to get rid of a mattress responsibly is essential not only for complying with local regulations but also for protecting the environment. Whether you choose to recycle, donate, or use a waste clearance company, your choice of these options will depend on the condition of your old mattress.
Remember that getting rid of your old bed doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With some research and planning, you can easily dispose of it in an eco-friendly way while making room for your new one.
At Recycle My Mattress, we will either collect (in East or West Sussex) or accept a drop-off of your mattress at our drop-off point in West Sussex. Using our nationwide network, we will transfer your old mattresses to a licensed mattress recycling centre.
Please contribute to our mission of helping our planet by ensuring that your mattress is recycled and not sent to landfill!
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