How to dispose of a mattress

Whether you're thinking of upgrading to a new mattress or simply need to get rid of an old one, knowing the right way to dispose of a mattress is essential. After spending all that time choosing a mattress, you'll want to make sure you get rid of your old one correctly as improper mattress disposal can lead to negative impacts on the environment, contributing to pollution and resource wastage.

Fortunately, there are a number of responsible methods available to ensure your mattress is disposed of safely and sustainably. Scroll down to find out more about the various options for mattress disposal, including eco-friendly alternatives such as recycling and donation.

How often should you change your mattress?

The National Bed Federation and the mattress industry both recommend that you replace a mattress every seven to eight years. After this time, your mattress will have been subjected to over 20,000 hours of wear and tear.

If you've had your mattress for less time than this, why not consider giving it a good clean instead?

How to dispose of a mattress

There are actually quite a few different ways to dispose of a mattress. You can work out which option is best for you with our handy guide below:

Different ways to get rid of a mattress

How can I recycle my old mattress?

It's true that most mattresses can be recycled by breaking them up and splitting the various parts. So for example the springs can be melted down and made into new metal products, foam can be used to make carpet underlay or be sent to specialist waste plants to convert them into energy. Polyester padding is used by the fibre blending industry and can be used to make the fillings in pet cushions.
However, this process can be very labour intensive and therefore if you take your mattress to your local tip, this may not happen and it could end up in a landfill.
The best way to ensure that your mattress will be properly recycled is to either take it to a designated recycling facility, or pay for a trusted mattress removal company to remove and dispose of it for you.

If you're getting rid of a small single mattress you should be able to fit this in your car, but if you've got a double or king mattress you'll need a large van to transport it, so paying for it to removed will be your best option.
Also, depending on what your mattress is made of you may be able to cut it up. I recently got rid of an old Simba mattress and as it was made purely of memory foam we were able to use a sharp knife to cut it up and were able to transport it to the tip ourselves.

Will the council collect my mattress?

The majority of local councils offer a collection of bulky waste items such as mattresses and sofas, although many will require a fee in exchange.

For example, the City of Westminster charges £31 for up to six items (including mattresses) to be collected while Liverpool City Council will collect five bulky items per individual property for free.
You will have to place your items clearly outside your house. Also, be warned that like me, you may pay for the council to collect some waste, only for it to picked up by someone passing through who isn't from the council. If your item contains scrap metal it may well be picked up by someone looking to sell this so it might be worth just leaving it outside your house first to see if you can get rid of it for free before booking the council to collect.

To find out the cost of your local council bulky waste collection enter your postcode here to find out more.

Can I donate my mattress to charity?

Donating your mattress to charity is a great way to make sure it doesn't end up in landfill and also a good way of helping someone else out who may not be able to afford a new one. You will need to make sure your mattress is in good condition though. Most charities won't accept mattresses that are stained or damaged in any way and they must have a fire label still attached.

Organisations like The British Red Cross and Sue Ryder will offer to collect your mattress from you but you may be asked to provide a photo of the mattress beforehand so they can make sure there are able to accept it. They will then sell the secondhand mattress with the profits going to the charity.

Here are some charities that will accept and collect unwanted mattresses:

Can you pay a company to pick up a mattress?

This is one of the most popular ways to dispose of your unwanted mattress as many high street retailers now offer a mattress collection service that can be used when having your replacement mattress delivered. Be sure to check with the retailer how exactly your mattress will be disposed of so you can ensure it won't just end up in landfill.
Be sure to mention you want your old mattress taking away when you order as this can affect delivery times.
Most retailers will charge a fee for disposing of your old mattress.

For example, John Lewis charges £29.95 for their service which includes the collection and disposal of an existing mattress that's being replaced by a new one.

IKEA have partnered with The Mattress Recycling People and you can book a collection for £40, when you purchase on of their new mattresses.

Alternatively, the bed company Dreams charge £20 for a single mattress to be collected and £55 for a double, king and super king mattress. They state the mattress needs to be wrapped, sealed and ready before their delivery team arrives.

Remember, this method is only worth considering if you're sure you will be happy with your new mattress as once your old mattress has been picked up, there's no getting it back.

What not to do with a mattress

Never ever try and burn a mattress as not only could a fire easily get out of control but the fumes are likely to be damaging to both you and the environment.

Never dump a mattress in the street, or in a layby as this is fly tipping and is illegal, you will be fined and prosecuted.

Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2016 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.