How to dispose of an old mattress so you can rest easy
Have you got an old mattress that you need to get rid of, but are not sure what to do with? Well, there are a variety of different solutions for how to dispose of an old mattress without damaging the environment or your pocket. You can even get rid of it for free!
This blog will look at the different ways in which you can remove that old mattress from your life, with minimal or zero cost and little headache. We will also explain any difficulties you may come across so that you are fully prepared for any situation!
First things first; when should I get rid of my old mattress?
If you’re not too careful, you could be looking at disposing your mattress before you need to – there may still be life left in your mattress! The general advice given by the sleep council is to get a new mattress after 7 or 8 years, or if you are experiencing any of the following:
- The mattress is making a lot of noise or more than usual.
- You’ve seen a change in allergies or asthma attacks.
- It’s affecting your sleep.
- The mattress is drooping or damaged in parts.
- You often wake up feeling stiff in your muscles and or joints.
Although there is no proven method of telling whether you need a new bed. You know that if your mattress is keeping you up at night, then you need a new one.
The different ways to get rid of a mattress: 3 disposal options
As we mentioned there are many different solutions to choose from when the time comes for you to wave goodbye to your trusty mattress, but here are just 3 that prove to be the most environmentally responsible and cost-effective.
Number 1 – Selling your mattress
By selling your mattress you are getting rid of it free of charge! You may even make a bit of money on it if it is still in good nick! However, this is dependent on the condition of the mattress of course, no one wants a grubby old mattress ready for the tip as it will just become their problem and not yours.
There are plenty of different platforms to advertise your used mattress on. Use the likes of eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree to sell your mattress. All you need to do to sell this bit of furniture is create a listing, liaise with potential buyers and, if necessary, organise collection and delivery with a furniture courier – just make sure you order the right sized van!
Tips for selling your mattress online
If you’re set on selling your secondhand mattress, there are a few things you can do to speed up and simplify the process.
- Check over your mattress for any damage. If you are getting rid of the mattress because you fancy a new one, then that is not a problem. However, if your mattress is 7 to 8 years old or older it will have a considerable amount of wear and the chances of getting a sale are slim.
- Ensure the photos you take are high quality. Make sure you can clearly see the mattress, the lighting is good and that the photos are not blurred. If your phone has poor camera quality ask around to see if any friends are willing to help you.
- Be descriptive in your advertisement. Outline any wear and tear as you need to be upfront with people. If there is any minor damage, chances are people will still be interested as mattresses are not cheap new. If you don’t outline wear and tear potential buyers will be annoyed (rightly so!) and you can lose sales by doing this.
Number 2 – Donating your mattress to charity
Consider the condition of your mattress before banishing it to the tip. If it is in reasonable condition and it still has all its fire labels, then donating it to charity is another great option. It may not be suitable for you, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be suitable for someone else in need.
Some charities welcome the donation of old mattresses, and it is a great way for them to raise much-needed funds.
Always outline any damage to charities as this can affect whether they will take it or not, you will also need all fire labels to be present and attached. Generally, speaking they will need to be like-new and unblemished.
Below is a list of 3 charities who accept used mattresses.
Number 3 – Recycle your mattress
Recycling your mattress is also a viable option, however, you will need to transport it to the disposal centre. This is much better for the environment than just dumping it at landfill sites. The foam in mattresses is easy to recycle as it could be baled and sent out to create energy or recycled for something like industrial carpet, extending the material’s lifetime by a colossal amount.
Transportation options
This is one of the quickest ways how to dispose of your mattress for free; the only issue is transport. If you have a van then it is simple, but if you have a car you may need to strap it to the roof.
If you can’t transport the mattress to the recycling centre yourself, then sadly recycling won’t be free as you will need to pay a waste disposal company to take the mattress to the tip for you. However, this can be done from as little as £30.
If you hire a company to remove and dispose of your mattress this is by far the most convenient method. Not only is it cheap, but it requires no thought or effort on your end. Booking a courier like VanaMango who offer a waste collection service, is too easy – they will turn up at your door, remove the mattress from your property and dispose of it. It’s never been simpler as bookings can be made online within minutes. If the reason for getting rid of your mattress is downsizing and you have other items you need to dispose of or move to another property, you can hire a company to do this at the same time. VanaMango being a great option as they offer all of these services at reasonable prices.
Avoid these mattress disposal methods
We’ve mentioned the to-dos when it comes to how to get rid of an old mattress, but are there any don’ts that we should be thinking about? Yep, you guessed it – there are quite a few.
Landfill
Try to avoid disposing of your mattress at landfill. In the UK there is a mounting mattress crisis as 4.75 million of them end up in landfill each year, a problem that stacks up in more than one way. These unwanted bed components, with their unbiodegradable parts, are left to fester under the ground whilst the steel springs and materials could be recycled and repurposed to provide new resources. It goes without saying that this is not good for the environment and if you can recycle it then you will be able to rest easy knowing that you have reduced another bit of your overall impact.
Flytipping
Do not throw your mattress onto the side of a road, field or any public space. This is classed as “fly tipping” and you will receive a hefty fine from the council if you are found to be guilty of it. It’s also inconvenient and unsightly for everyone else living in the area and is highly frowned upon, not to mention very illegal.
Burning
Avoid burning your mattress at all costs. Whilst there is no specific regulation prohibiting bonfires in England and Wales, burning domestic waste is not permitted. Lighting a mattress on a fire could be very hazardous as there is the potential to lose control of the fire. Mattresses can also be harmful to your health and the environment due to the noxious gases emitted from them. If you can cause a public nuisance or allow smoke to disrupt the visibility of any roads you may also be fined.
Sweet dreams await
With these final “don’ts” covered, it’s time to wrap up our mattress disposal guide. Now you know how to get rid of a mattress responsibly and for little cost, all you need to do is book your collection date via our free and user-friendly portal – then you can rest easy while we take care of all the rest.