Everyone wants a good night’s sleep. But that would be impossible to achieve if you’re having mattress problems (either the one you’re sleeping on or the one sitting in your garage for ages). As the quote goes, “nothing is permanent in this world,” and the same thing can be said about your bed. Although we know that mattresses are relatively expensive, it usually takes 6 to 8 years before your mattress wears out. And that’s the time it is suggested that you replace it with a new one, but obviously, you can still sleep on it for longer than that, yet doing so might harm your sleep and general health. Again, all of us want good quality sleep.
According to the internet, there are over 120 million families in the United States alone. Now imagine the majority of those households improperly discarding their beds to landfills every decade. That’s not neat, isn’t it? In fact, over 50,000 mattresses are dumped in landfills daily in the US (source: The mattress landfill crisis: how the race to bring us better beds led to a recycling nightmare | Waste | The Guardian), so that’s 18.2 million mattresses annually.
If you’re looking for ways to dispose of your mattress (legally!), then you’re in the right place! It may be shocking to learn that there are a number of alternatives to taking a mattress to the landfill. Despite the fact that you can always throw your bed in the trash, other options would lessen its environmental impact, such as selling, recycling, donating it to a good cause, or just hiring junk removal experts to take it from you.
Sell your used mattress
We know what you’re thinking, and yes, used mattresses can indeed be sold; some people are willing to buy second-hand beds. You can either trade it to a store in San Diego or sell it directly to the customer. Yet, of course, you should still consider whether your mattress is in sellable condition before deciding. Additionally, if your mattress is still relatively new, but you don’t like how the foam feels or think the bed is a bad fit for your body type and sleeping preferences, this could be an excellent time to sell it.
Finalized that you are selling it? Good! Now here are some marketplaces to choose from to sell your second-hand mattresses:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- OfferUp app
- LetGo app
- eBay
Source: How to Sell a Used Mattress | Sleep Foundation
Recycle your old mattress
Can’t sell your old mattress because of its poor condition? Resort to the most environmentally friendly way of disposing of it – recycling. Mattresses have complex components, such as foam sponges and steel. They are more challenging to move than most junk once stranded in a landfill. Plus, people should avoid manufactured items in landfills because they could leak fillings once it rains. Used mattresses are free to recycle. Many old mattress components, including foam, steel, cotton, and box springs, can be recycled by some recycling businesses and turned into new goods. You can simply use your browser to search for local recycling facilities in your local place (e.g “local recycling facilities in San Diego)
Consider donating it
Apart from selling and recycling, donating your mattress is also a good way of ensuring it doesn’t contribute to the 50,000 beds ending up in landfills. Giving away your old mattress is an excellent option if it’s clean and in good shape. However, ensure your mattress is still in good condition and has no tears, holes, or structural issues. It should be decent enough for someone else to repurpose it.
Have a junk removal dispose of it for you
Hey, you made it to the last tip! It’s more likely to assume that none of the options above suit your way of getting rid of your used mattress. Your final choice would be to dispose of it. “How can I dispose of it legally?” you ask. Well, this option works best for no longer-used mattresses. Even though putting your mattress in the trash can seem like the most straightforward course of action, there are specific steps you must take to dispose of the bed properly.
For instance, you should be aware that it’s against the law to dispose of a mattress in most cities, including San Diego. You cannot just throw your bed in the trash; doing so could result in fines of up to $10,000 or even incarceration. To avoid going against the law, consider hiring a Junk Removal Company, like Trident Junk Removal, to do ALL the work for you! Large objects like mattresses can be hauled away from your home by junk removal companies, who have the tools and means to do it. Although these services are paid for, they spare you the labor-intensive task of getting rid of your old mattress.
