Do you have an old or unused mattress that you need to get rid of? Maybe you’ve purchased a new one and need to clear out storage space? Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or property manager, knowing how to get rid of a mattress is important to ensure the process is done safely and correctly. At TurboHaul, we have over 20 years of experience working with mattress disposal and recycling, bulk junk removal, and other types of trash-outs and commercial cleanouts.
Due to their bulky size, mattresses are notoriously difficult to remove and handle. Hauling your old mattress to a landfill or drop-off site may seem simple enough if you own a truck, but at scale, can prove quite challenging. Plus, there are more environmentally friendly options besides landfills. Mattress recycling, donation, and other disposal methods shouldn’t be overlooked!
In this article, we’ve put together our tips and best practices for how to get rid of an old mattress in both commercial and residential settings.
How to Dispose of a Mattress
Throwing a mattress in a landfill is never a good idea. For one, mattresses have a compaction rate roughly 400% less than other common landfill items, meaning that they take up significantly more landfill space relative to their size. Mattresses also tend to ‘float’ to the top of a landfill and cause issues with processing equipment.
For this reason, we recommend mattress recycling whenever possible. This process allows for the reuse of materials like metal, wood, and other textiles while cutting back on clutter in landfills. Donating, reselling, and working with mattress pick-up service providers are other viable options to keep in mind.
Whenever you’re trying to decide on which mattress disposal option is right for you, it’s helpful to consider the age and condition of your mattress. Your location will also be a determining factor, as certain areas will have different facilities nearby, each offering different types of disposal and donation services.
Mattress Removal & Recycling Options
There are several ways to dispose of an unneeded or old mattress. Before deciding which is the best fit, again, it’s helpful to consider the condition and age of the mattress, manufacturer policies, and your proximity to local charities and junk removal service providers.
A single mattress may not be so difficult to transport to a donation drop-off site, though for larger volumes of items, trips across town will quickly become tiring and cumbersome to your schedule—in which case professional help may be your best option. Below are our recommended mattress disposal options for both residential and commercial settings.
Donate It
Looking to give your old mattress new life? If it’s in good enough condition, check with local charitable organizations and nonprofits to see if they accept mattresses and under what circumstances. Generally, to be accepted, your mattress should be free of any structural damage, stains, tears, and things like mildew or the infestation of insects.
Common places that accept mattresses for donation include The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, shelters, churches, and other related organizations. Remember to check whether you’ll need to bring your mattress for drop off or if the organization will send a truck to haul it away from your location.
Sell It
Another option for lightly used mattresses is resale—online, at a yard sale, or through a family member or friend in need. This is a good way to make a little money while rehoming your unneeded mattress, though it does come with certain hassles. For one, you’ll need to sanitize and clean up your mattress before selling it. Some states have fairly strict guidelines for the sanitation of bedding items for resale.
And as with any sale online, there’s the challenge of listing the items, working with potential buyers, transportation of the bulky mattress, and the possibility of wasted time and effort if it won’t sell. For high-quality and lightly used mattresses, resale still presents a reliable option if you’re willing to take the necessary steps and precautions!
Send It Back to the Manufacturer
In some cases, manufacturers will accept old mattresses to help their customers with the disposal process. The manufacturer will either send a truck to pick up your product(s) or will require you to ship it back to them (which, needless to say, is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process). Check with your mattress manufacturer first to see if they’re able to accept your old mattress and what guidelines, fees, or stipulations they have.
Utilize a Mattress Pick-Up & Recycling Service
Looking for a quick and eco-friendly way for how to dispose of your mattress? Mattress pick-up services for recycling will likely be the easiest and most convenient option, especially for commercial jobs that require the disposal of multiple mattresses. This not only saves you time and the potential costs to rent a truck but also allows for the reuse of valuable materials and textiles within the mattress.
At TurboHaul, our mattress recycling program allows us to recycle more than 80% of the materials. The mattresses are cut open, textiles are separated and organized, and then viable materials are repurposed for various uses—foam padding converts to carpet underlayment, wooden frames are shredded to produce mulch, and fabrics are used in things like industrial oil filters. We offer mattress haul away services to make recycling and old mattress removal friendly for our customers and the environment.
How Does TurboHaul’s Mattress Haul Away & Recycling Service Work?
At TurboHaul, we have a simple, four-step process for responsible mattress recycling and disposal. Our process includes:
Our mattress recycling operation is good for both the environment and our customers. We provide easy, thorough services for anyone living in the North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, or Maryland areas. We’re committed to bettering the environment, improving local communities, and keeping old appliances and other hazardous items out of landfills. Contact us today for a free quote or to book an appointment.
