What to do with my old Mattress

  • Andy Reilly
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What to do with my old Mattress

Tips on mattress disposal

While there can be unique circumstances which determine when you might replace your mattress, the general consensus is to change your mattress every seven years. This is the standard response from organisations such as the National Bed Federation (NBF).

Getting a new mattress is often an exciting time, but if you have to dispose of your old one, you should think about how best to do so.

End of Life report on mattresses

An October 2022 report by the NBF highlights some interesting points with respect to the end of life (EoL) of a mattress. The full report can be found here on the NBF site.

Between 2017 and 2021, there was a 5% rise in the number of mattresses sent for recycling compared with the previous period. Of the 6.4 million which reached their end of life in this cycle, 24% were recycled.

However, when you consider the “real rate of recycling”, which focuses on the materials and components of the mattress after the sorting process, the figure drops to 14%.

There is room for improvement, but it is encouraging that more are recycled at the end of their lifespan.  More people are making decisions which have more environmentally friendly outcomes, and recycling is a critical component of everyday life for many families.

Admittedly, a mattress is far more cumbersome than glass bottles or plastic packaging, but this doesn’t mean that recycling it is a near-impossible task.

Where can you recycle a mattress?

When you purchase a new mattress, it is worth asking the retailer to take your old one away for recycling. This is a service provided by major retailers such as John Lewis and Marks and Spencer, and some online bed retailers also offer it.

Some retailers will provide this service at no cost to you, but others will charge a fee. It is always worth enquiring about this service, and you can ask if they merely dispose of the mattress or if they ensure it is recycled properly.

Given the importance of green credentials these days, many large retailers want to ensure their mattresses are recycled to the best of their abilities.

Will charity shops take an old mattress?

First, you should consider if the it is still usable for someone as this may not always be the case. Many people dispose of perfectly suitable mattresses for various reasons. In that case, you might be able to recycle it for another person or family.

There are many online community groups where you can advertise a mattress for sale or even for a free giveaway. Many are part of community Facebook groups where giveaways or swaps are allowed.

You will also find many UK charities are happy to accept mattresses, as long as the it is in good enough condition. Notable charities which are known for accepting mattresses include:

·       British Heart Foundation

·       Red Cross

·       Salvation Army

One of these charities might be worth contacting, but please be prepared for refusal if they cannot accept or collect.

Can I contact my local authority to collect a mattress?

Most local council authorities have a bulk waste uplift service, although there might be a charge. You’ll enjoy peace of mind about getting rid of a mattress in this way, but there is no guarantee the local council will recycle it.

Check the relevant website or contact them to check the council’s stance on mattress recycling. If this is a crucial issue, you might need to be proactive in recycling the mattress yourself.

If you are concerned about disposing of the mattress and you have transport, you could consider taking it to your local dump or refuse collection centre.

Hire a removals company

If you are not satisfied with the local council service, or you cannot take it to a recycling centre, and you are content to pay for mattress removal, many companies will be happy to dispose of the mattress for you. You’ll find these companies online, often on directory sites, and some are happy to ensure items are recycled, so please review the services on offer.

Which mattresses are good for recycling?

For some households, recycling begins when you buy products, with some people only buying products they know can be recycled. If this sounds like you, it makes sense to consider what mattresses are suitable for recycling at the point of purchase. This ensures you have a mattress that provides great service, and when the time comes to dispose of the bedding, you can do so with every confidence.

Pure-foam mattresses are the most accessible to recycle, and the recycling rates for these are the highest of all. In the previous study by the NBF, where 19% of all mattresses were said to be recycled, 24% of pure-foam mattresses were recycled.

So, if this is an issue that matters to you, opting for pure-foam will improve your chances of finding a recycling solution for your mattress.

Can we improve on future manufacturing?

Everyone should look to improve how and when they recycle, which is true for households, manufacturers, and retailers.

One highly innovative firm in recycling is the John Cotton Group, a West Yorkshire firm. Their beds contain polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. The company has more than 100 years of experience reclaiming waste as part of their production process, and more than 70% of polyester fibre bought by the firm comes from a recycled source.

An example of a bed from this company is the highly regarded Silk 2500 Pocket Sprung Natural Filling Mattress, allowing people to sleep well, and with a clear conscience.

If you are keen to update your mattress, Next Divan has everything you need. We know environmental matters are crucial these days, and if you want the greenest beds and bedding products, get in touch today.

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