Mattress Disposal

The number of mattresses being discarded every year is staggering.  In Minnesota alone over 600,000 mattresses are thrown out each year.  Mattresses and box springs are a real problem for land fill sites, not even considering that they are filled with chemicals such as brominated flame retardants, toluene, pesticides, herbicides and stain-resistant solvents that will eventually result in ground and water pollution.

Mattresses are large and difficult to compact.  The springs wrap around the compactors, and wear out wheel bearings.  For some reason mattresses rise to the top of land fill sites becoming problematic.  Land fill sites don't want mattresses due to all the problems associated with them.

Efforts are being made to recycle mattresses but they have some difficult challenges. Mattresses are constructed so they won't come apart as a result of usage/abuse.  The recycling process generally consists of either manually dissecting the mattress with a box-cutter or they can be shredded with expensive machinery.

When you are disposing of your mattress there are few options.  You can try to give it to a charity.  But charities are very selective and will only take the mattress if it is only lightly used.  You can try giving it to a friend, family member or use it in a guest room.  If you live nearby a mattress recycling company then the best option is to deliver the mattress to them.  When buying a new mattress see if the store will take the old mattress back for recycling.  Many retailers won't take them back due to health and safety concerns.

To avoid or reduce the mattress disposal problem in the future, find yourself a partner to sleep with.   Only for  saving the planet of course.