A comfy mattress could lead to sweet dreams, but carelessly throwing out an old one might lead to nightmares for the community, which sees it as an eyesore. Wondering how to get rid of a mattress properly? Read on to learn the art of mattress disposal and keep the local landscape looking beautiful!
When To Replace Your Mattress
To start with, how do you know when it’s time to say goodbye to your old mattress and upgrade to a new one? Check out some of the signs below.
Your Mattress Is Over 8 Years Old
The estimated life span of a normal mattress is approximately 7-10 years, which makes 8 years the average [1]. By then, you’re usually starting to notice you’ve not been sleeping well, and it’s hard to get comfy when you first lie down.
You Wake Up With Aches and Pains
Are you starting to wake up regularly with a sore lower back or a stiff neck like you never used to? Then, the age of your mattress may be showing, and it’s probably time to replace it with the best mattress for back pain.
Lack of Sleep
Perhaps it’s taking you longer to fall asleep because you can’t seem to find the right position, or you’re starting to wake up in the middle of the night and just keep tossing and turning; it could be because you need a mattress that can help you get better sleep.
Visible Wear and Tear
On laundry day, when you strip down your mattress, does it look as firm and bright as it used to? If the answer is a firm “No,” you might be overdue for a replacement.
Lumps or Sagging
This is the mattress equivalent of losing hair or developing a pot belly. And as far as affecting your sleep, it could be the major cause of back problems, morning stiffness, and overall lack of rest.
Allergies
If you’re waking up with a stuffy nose or sneezing with a headache, allergens and dust mites may have moved in without you knowing it. If you’ve seen a microscopic picture of a dust mite, you might be tempted to pitch your mattress into the first sanitation truck that passes by.
Noisy Springs
Noisy springs are a definite sign you should start asking, “What is the best time to buy a mattress?” Hearing it complain every time you or a partner changes position or gets in and out of bed can be like nails on a chalkboard.
How To Get Rid of a Mattress for Free: 5 Options
There are more ways than one to bid farewell to your old mattress without breaking the bank!
1. Donation
What To Look Out For
Since most charitable organizations have rules for the kind of mattresses they will accept, you need to assess your donation before bringing it anywhere.
Most organizations will closely examine factors such as age, overall condition, stains, tears, damage, pests, and odors.
Where To Donate Your Mattress
If you are charitable, there are several nationwide organizations in the U.S. that accept mattress donations or are willing to show you where to get rid of a mattress.
Among them are Resupply [2], the Salvation Army, and the Furniture Bank Association of America. In addition, junk removal services like Load Up and 1-800-Got-Junk offer mattress removal and donation [3].
2. Resell
Used mattresses aren’t exactly big business. So, if you want to try to sell the best mattress you’ve outgrown, you’ll likely have to start with an online marketplace or a local classified ad. Some of the more well-known online marketplaces are Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and LetGo.
As for classifieds, depending on where you live, many communities have local newspapers that will let you run ads for items you wish to sell.
3. Mattress Recycling
Mattresses are often recycled to recover materials like foam, fabric, and steel springs for reuse. In several states across the U.S., the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is a non-profit organization established by the mattress industry to help people get rid of their old mattresses.
4. Retailer Take Back
If you’re wondering what type of mattress is best to upgrade to and are planning to dispose of your old one, check with your retailer. Many mattress chains and retailers offer free mattress pickup and take-back programs for old mattresses when customers purchase new ones.
5. Old Mattress Disposal
If you’re wondering how to dispose of an old and dilapidated mattress, most municipalities across the U.S. have programs in place that can help. These programs are usually conducted by the town or city sanitation department. For sanitary reasons, they will likely require you to wrap the mattress in plastic and seal it with heavy tape.
What Not To Do With an Old Mattress
On the flip side, here are some things you should never consider doing with your old mattress:
- Do not leave your mattress on the street for trash pickup. Mattresses are not considered standard bulk trash and are handled differently.
- Don’t deposit your mattress in a landfill or at a dump. Mattresses contain materials that take a while to decompose; these can possibly leach unwanted chemicals into the environment.
- Don’t illegally dump your mattress in the city. Many municipalities frown upon illegal dumping, and if caught, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined.
What To Consider Before Getting Rid of an Old Mattress
Remember these factors as you decide how to dispose of a mattress properly.
Condition of the Mattress
What condition is your old mattress in? If it isn’t clean and in decent enough shape for somebody else to use, perhaps you should consider recycling or disposal rather than donation or reselling.
Another important thing to consider is whether your mattress has bed bugs. In places like New York City, these vermin are a major concern. That’s why figuring out how to get rid of bed bugs in a mattress has driven much of the public policy on mattress disposal and recycling.
Is the Warranty Still Valid?
If the manufacturer’s warranty for your mattress is still valid, then you need to contact the company to see if you can use it to get a new mattress.
Cost and Convenience
Recycling your mattress may involve a fee, and junk removal services are not free. Yet, engaging either would be more convenient than disposing of the mattress yourself. Weigh the cost and convenience before you act.
Local Programs, Laws, and Policies
Each city and municipality across the country deals with mattress disposal and recycling differently. Call your local sanitation department to find out how to legally and cleanly dispose of your mattress.
Avoid disposing of your mattress illegally, since there will likely be a fine if you’re caught. Even worse, you will be doing a disservice to your local community.
Avoid Landfills if Possible
Mattresses contain some materials that do not decompose quickly, and some commercially manufactured mattresses also contain substances that can be toxic to the environment. Dumping your mattress in a landfill could contaminate the soil and even the groundwater in your area.
Expert Insights
The NYC 311 website has shared certain rules on how to dispose of mattresses or box springs in the five boroughs of New York City.
Mattresses or box springs should be sealed in a plastic bag and put out during regular bulk trash collection days. You can use most colored plastic bags, with the exception of red or orange. This guideline could help prevent bed bugs from spreading. If you don’t dispose of them properly, your mattress or box spring will not be collected.
Here are the fines for improper disposal of a mattress or box spring:
- First offense: $50
- Second offense: $100
- Third offense onward: $200 [4]
The junk removal company 1-800-Got-Junk offers same-day professional mattress removal anywhere in the New York City area. Simply call the toll-free number, book an appointment for free, and wait for the staff to arrive, assess the situation, and give you an all-inclusive price.
You are under no obligation to commit, but if you choose to continue, your mattress will be carted off and disposed of according to all city regulations [5].
FAQs on How To Get Rid of a Mattress
Here are a few questions that customers who are interested in finding a solution to getting rid of a mattress usually ask.
What Is the Cheapest Way To Get Rid of a Mattress?
In New York City and other areas in the US, the cheapest way to dispose of an old mattress is to seal it in plastic and leave it out on the street on a designated bulk trash pick-up day. However, this will depend on the mattress removal options available in your location.
Can You Throw Away a Mattress in a Dumpster?
In most places, you cannot throw a mattress into a dumpster. Instead, do some research to find out the recommended mattress disposal method in your area.
Can Mattresses Be Recycled?
Yes, most mattresses can be recycled to extract materials like steel, wool, and wood, which can then be reused for other purposes. It’s a practical option if you need to make space for a new medium-firm mattress that’s more back-friendly.
Where Can I Dispose of a Mattress?
Thinking of what to do with an old mattress? Depending on where you live, you can usually dispose of a mattress via your local sanitation pickup. You can also donate it to organizations like the Salvation Army, or pay a private carting service to get rid of it for you.
Conclusion on How To Get Rid of a Mattress
A mattress is something we relax on and, hopefully, sleep soundly on. The last thing anyone wants to do is wrestle with a mattress when it’s time to get rid of it and buy a new one.
Hopefully, we’ve offered some useful tips on how to get rid of a mattress, such as donating it, recycling it, disposing of it, or even reselling it when you’re finally ready to upgrade.
We’ve also shown you what not to do with your old mattress if you’re concerned about the environment or you want to avoid getting fined for violating the law.
Getting rid of a mattress is not nearly as fun as buying a new one. However, the laws of available space and those of your local municipality dictate how you dispose of it, so do the right thing and dispose of it correctly!