We spend a lot of time filling our houses full of furniture, but we hardly ever think about having to dispose of it. Mattresses are particularly problematic — we frequently need to update them, but they are not as easy as other household items to rehome. In fact, Americans alone get rid of 15 to 20 million mattresses each year ZeroWasteWisdom.com.
If the time has come for you to shop for a new mattress and dispose of your old one, you might be wondering what the responsible thing to do might be. Fortunately, there are more options than you might think.
Prior to getting rid of your mattress, you will need to take a couple of steps. Before you donate an old mattress, it needs to be clean, infestation-free, and free of odors and stains. If it doesn't pass those marks, it may not be in a good condition for donation.
After you make sure there are no rips or tears, you will want to vacuum every mattress surface. It is also important to make sure you store your mattress in a dry area until you can donate it.
Before you head to your local donation site, it is a good idea to look at their particular prepping requirements before you go. Not every organization will accept mattress donations, but there are many that welcome them. Look at your local GoodWill, Salvation Army, or local shelter or charity to see if they accept mattresses.
You could also turn to the people you know. Everyone knows someone who is just getting started. Whether it is moving into a new house or heading to the dorm for the first time, there is probably someone in your network that could use a budget-friendly mattress. If you turn to your contact list, you could find someone who would deeply appreciate your generosity.
If your old mattress has seen better days, there’s no need to consider it worthless — far too many mattresses are simply thrown away.
There is a good chance that your trash service or your local recycling center will hold collection days for things that normally cannot be thrown away. From electronics to paint and mattresses, these special days are a great way to take advantage of recycling opportunities you don’t get with weekly pickup.
If the other options will not work for you, there are still responsible ways to get rid of your old mattress. A lot of times, your local furniture store might just be the solution you have been seeking. Contact them and see what they have to offer.
When you purchase a new mattress, do not forget to ask about the removal of the old one. It is not uncommon for furniture stores and moving services to offer mattress takeaway. Bedzzz Express offers mattress recycling and removal. Contact us today for more details.
Whether you are upgrading your bed’s size or replacing an old mattress that has reached the end of its lifecycle, disposing of it does not have to be overwhelming. By reaching out to organizations that accept donations, recycling centers, and local services, there are plenty of options to make sure that your old mattress doesn’t unnecessarily end up in a landfill.