|
The lifespan of a mattress is about 7 years, but while no longer good for your body, it can still have many other uses afterward if disposed of properly. Find out how to rid yourself of your old mattress responsibly and why you should care.
How To Dispose Of Your Old MattressIf you are replacing your old mattress with a new one bought at a mattress retailer, you may be able to have them pick it up for you. Simply ask if they have a (free) mattress removal service. But make sure that the retailer will actually recycle your mattress and not simply send it to the local landfill. Take advantage of websites such as craigslist.org and freecycle.org to give your mattress to someone who may need it. Facebook marketplace postings are also a useful way to advertise your mattress especially to college students in your area. The marketplace will allow people to search for items near their location. Due to health reasons, Goodwill and most other charities are not allowed to take used mattresses. If those options don’t work for you, try contacting a mattress recycling facility: click here to find one near you.
Why You Should Recycle Your MattressIf not recycled, your mattress will be sent to a landfill, where it will take up 23 cubic feet, won’t compress and will take decades to decompose. Landfills are simply not the place for mattresses. Streets aren’t either: not only is it illegal but it also poses a fire safety hazard. Moreover, when mattresses are exposed to sunlight and rain, the flame retardant chemicals (called PBDEs) in them can leach out into the air, water, and soil. Being exposed to these chemicals can cause immune system damage and can cause neurobehavioral changes. Besides, all mattresses dumped on the street will eventually end up in the landfill.  Recycling centers, while still being scarce nationwide, are a better choice, as they provide economic and environmental benefits. The steel springs can be reused (for manufacturing new mattresses or for completely different purposes) and the padding can be made into carpet padding or pet’s bedding, hence reducing the need for manufacturing new material. Click here to see how recycling is done at a South Carolina facility. Recycling or donating your mattress benefits you by disposing of the mattress and benefits the person or recycling facility receiving the mattress. Three Other Things You Can DoThe recycling mattress business is currently not up to speed with our society’s needs, so until government actions appropriately address this problem, here are three things you can do:  1/make your mattress last for as long as possible before purchasing a new one. In order to do that, flip or rotate your mattress once or twice a month for the first 6 months, and then every three months: it will help distribute the wear on the mattress more evenly. 2/ When you do buy a new mattress, opt for one made of eco-friendly materials, such as natural latex or wool. 3/ Raise the issue at your next municipal meeting and find out what is being done to create well needed mattress recycling facilities. The more people are aware of it and involved, the more our environment (and our health) will benefit.Â
|
