The Hidden Costs of Mattress Disposal

1. The environmental costs of mattress disposal

We are talking about millions of mattresses ending up in landfills each year. The United States alone discards approximately 50,000 mattresses every day. 

And we’re not just talking about mattresses from across the country, but the world. Mattresses are bulky and thus take up a big amount of space—space we’re already running out of. This results in landfill overcrowding. And unlike other types of waste, mattresses may take decades to decompose, depending on their components (foam, spring, etc). 

The next environmental cost of improper mattress disposal is resource depletion. Mattresses are composed of different materials, depending on their manufacturer. This includes cotton, steel, and foam—all of which can be fortunately reused and repurposed. 

In fact, over 75% of mattresses can be recycled, but unfortunately, only 5% actually are?

When mattresses are sent to landfills, these materials are automatically wasted and miss the opportunity to be conserved. 

And finally, improper disposal of mattresses leads to pollution. As their components start to decompose, they can leach harmful chemicals into the groundwater and soil. 

• Heavy metals
• VOCs like benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde 
• Flame-retardant chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
• Phthalates (commonly used in plastics and foam_

These not only pose risks to the environment but also human health. 

2. The financial costs of mattress disposal

Businesses (especially those in the healthcare and hospitality industries) may house a large amount of mattresses which then need to be disposed of eventually. Improper mattress disposal for businesses can lead to big fines. For instance, California has strict regulations regarding mattress disposal (Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act). Therefore, if you manage a business that requires you to dispose of mattresses, make sure to adhere to laws to avoid potential expenses and legal issues. You can do this by scheduling a pick up with mattress pick up and recycling services such as The Mattress Guy. 

Societal costs also come along with this. Illegal mattress dumping has been a growing problem throughout the years. San Jose estimated that more than 5,000 illegally dumped mattresses were collected each year from 2019 to 2021. And in California during 2020, participants reported 75,904 mattresses, resulting in $1,141,215 in payments. This creates additional burden for the government as many time and resources are need to clean it up.

3. The economic cost of mattress disposal

By now, you can clearly get a picture of how and why mattress recycling is so important. Apart from what we stated above, mattress recycling initiatives may also support the economy by creating jobs. The recycling industry (from collection to processing) require workers, which then can contribute to local job growth.

So, how do you properly dispose of a mattress?

Fortunately, there are so many ways you can do so! Whether you’re a business or a residence, here are ways to dispose of your mattress: 

• Contact local recycling centers. Check your community or surrounding area for recycling facilities that accept old or used mattresses.
• Use a mattress recycling program.
• Schedule a pickup with a recycling service. Arrange for services like The Mattress Guy to pick up and recycle your mattress.
• Donate to charity. 
• Sell or give away.
• Check with retailers. Some mattress brands offer take-back programs when you purchase a new mattress.
• Consult local waste management. Follow your municipality's guidelines for proper mattress disposal.
• Avoid illegal dumping.
• Disassemble for parts and break down the mattress into components that can be reused or recycled.
• Consider upcycling and repurposing for DIY projects.