The average lifespan of a mattress is about eight years. After its time is up, throwing your old mattress out like the rest of your trash might sound like the best option. Unfortunately, sending an old mattress to a landfill has a negative impact on the environment. Here are a few mattress recycling tips and information to help you through the process.

Why Recycle?

Not only are most mattresses made up of recyclable materials, but their big, bulky size also takes up valuable space that is better left for items that can’t be recycled. Instead of mining for the virgin ores and materials that it takes to create a new mattress, a recycled mattress can be broken down for these necessary parts. Up to 85% to 90% of the components in a mattress are recyclable. Here are a few of these recyclable components:

• Outer cotton fabric
• Steel springs
• Wood frame
• Polyurethane foam

Mattress Recycling Tips

Wondering where you can take your old mattress? Here are a few ideas:

• While recycling beats a landfill, the best, most eco-friendly option for an old mattress is to reuse it. Try posting a notice online listing your mattress for free or for a fee, depending on its condition.
• Find a recycling facility near you. Try beginning your search right here.
• If you can’t find a buyer for your old mattress, try concentrating your efforts on donating it to someone in need. Call non-profits and shelters nearby.
• If you’re replacing your old mattress with a new one, ask the retailer if they’ll be willing to take your old mattress away when they deliver the new one.
• Call a junk removal company. Mattresses are a difficult item to dispose of because most municipalities don’t allow curbside pickup of mattresses with other trash. The hassle-free, eco-friendly solution is to call JDog Junk Removal & Hauling at 844-GET-JDOG to schedule a pick-up for your old mattress. Let our team take your old mattress to be recycled or reused so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting. Contact us today!