Even though most people only replace or get rid of their mattresses once every 8–11 years on average, the mattress business is a big one. The Mattress Recycling Council says that between 15 and 20 million mattresses are thrown away in the United States every year. The average mattress takes up 40 cubic feet of space, which means that a year’s worth of mattresses will take up more than 132,000 square kilometers of landfill space.

People in the United States who own mattresses are encouraged to get rid of their old ones in other ways to cut down on trash and save space in landfills. In this post, Junk removal Stuart FL will talk about different ways to get rid of old mattresses, such as how to donate, recycle, and re-use them.

Recycling, Reusing, and More!

Recycling Old Mattresses

About 80% to 90% of the parts that make up a mattress can be recycled or used to make something new. To get rid of an old mattress, you need to find a place that will take them. Doing a search on the Internet for “mattress recycling near me” will help you find a recycling center quickly. This will almost certainly show you centers that are within a reasonable distance to drive to.

Most of the time, you have to pay to get your old mattress recycled. You can expect to pay between $20 and $40 per mattress or box spring for someone to come pick it up from your home. If you take your mattress or box springs to a place that recycles them, you will pay between $10 and $20 for each one.

Depending on the facility, there may be different requirements for mattresses that can be donated. Most places that recycle will not take a mattress that is wet, dirty, or has bed bugs in it. On the other hand, mattresses that are broken or damaged are often given out.

Foam, springs, upholstery, wood pieces, and box springs are all parts of an old mattress that can be reused. See the section on reusing old mattresses for more information on how to reuse mattress parts.

Donating Old Mattresses

Donating Old Mattresses: Someone in need might be able to use a used mattress that is still in good shape. If yours is in good shape and doesn’t have rips, big stains, mildew, bed bugs, burns, or other damage, you could donate it to a good cause. Most have easy-to-reach places to drop off items or pick them up.

The following companies are ones that Dumpster rental company in Port St Lucie recommends:

Sleepy Head Beds

This charitable organization accepts gently used, donated mattresses, among other items, and distributes them to needy families in the city area.

Salvation Army

This national charity collects mattress donations through a vast network of local locations. The majority will arrange a free pickup or accept drop-offs.

Goodwill

Goodwill operates over 3,000 thrift stores in the United States, the vast majority of which include a donation center. Some facilities no longer accept mattress and box spring donations, so check with them first.

Habitat for Humanity: This global organization with thousands of community shops accepts mattress donations at the majority of its locations. Some facilities even offer free pickup.

Reusing Old Mattresses

Next, consider various methods for dismantling old mattresses and reusing key components for other purposes.

• A typical mattress contains 25 lbs of steel, the majority of which is spring steel. Steel can be melted and used to make a wide range of products. You can remove the mattress springs and steel parts and sell them at a scrap yard.
• Mattress polyurethane foam can be shredded and reused for carpets, seat cushions, pet bedding, pillows, and other types of padding around the house. Latex and memory foam can both be reused.
• The majority of natural and synthetic fibers found in mattresses can be recycled. Mattress fibers, for example, such as foam, can be recycled to make cushioning or insulation.
• After disassembling the mattress, you can reuse the wooden components for a variety of purposes.For example, you can shred the wood or run it through a chipper and use it in your garden as mulch in flower beds. You can also use it as firewood.
• The braiding, buttons, and other ornamental parts of the mattress are ideal for DIY home décor and sewing projects.Please use caution when disassembling a mattress: innersprings contain sharp components that can cause serious injury. Check out YouTube for some excellent tutorials on how to disassemble a mattress.

Creative Solutions for Mattress Disposal

Finally, let’s look at some unique and creative ways to repurpose an old mattress

• Mattress springs can be used in a variety of craft and art projects. Make decorative candle holders, wall sconces, picture frames, and garden trellises.
• If you enjoy holiday decorating, mattress springs are also great for making metal framed wreaths and ornaments.
• You can turn the memory foam from an old mattress into a cozy bed for your four-legged friends.
• The material from an old mattress is ideal for making throwaway carpets for your garage, utility room, and shed.
• Pinterest has some interesting projects that reuse materials from old mattresses.