Apart from electronics, mattresses are one of the most difficult things to get rid of when old. When it comes to buying a new mattress, we do not give a lot of thought to what will happen to our old one. Once the new mattress is already in our house, we rush to dispose of the old one. And as it is a bulky and big thing, we often do not think of anything except dumping it in the common dumpster or the curbside, which will eventually end up in a landfill.
Recycling a mattress is also a big and complex problem, as mattresses are typically made of wood chips, steel, cotton, and polyurethane foam. Of all that, only foam can be easily recyclable. So what is the best way to get rid of mattresses you no longer require or want?
Give away your mattress
One of the simplest ways to get an alternative new use for your mattresses and keep it out of a landfill is to give it away. You would be surprised by how many people are ready to grab an opportunity to get a free mattresses. Talk with your friends, co-workers, nieces or nephews headed to school, recent graduates, or maybe post a message on a community board at your apartment or condo complex, or on an internet site like OLX or Facebook marketplace. The list of possible recipients is endless. Offer your free, used mattresses reciprocally for the new owner picking it up from your home.
Sell your mattress
If you are looking out to make some money on your old things, you might consider selling your mattress. But before you sell your mattresses, you might need to invest in some professional cleaning of your bed. Professional cleaning can cost you a bit, but it is just about the hygiene as well, and you can account for the cost while you are selling it. Once you have done so, post your mattress on any marketplace like Facebook, OLX, Quikr, etc. Make sure to incorporate a photograph showing your mattress is clean and free from stains and add an in-depth description of how it has been cleaned and maintained to draw genuinely interested buyers.
You should also note the brand, an outline of its firmness and other features, moreover the price you purchased it (a website link of the original can work too in this case). Although you will not get anywhere near the price you spent on the mattress, this helps build the legitimacy of your post. A second-hand shop in your community may also purchase your gently used mattress. These days, even some companies purchase second-hand things, refurbish them and sell them.
Repurpose your old mattress
If your mattress is not in such an exemplary condition, you may rescue it by repurposing the materials with a touch of creativity. There are many ways to reuse your old memory foam mattress rather than throwing it away or managing to have it recycled. You may cut it up and use the memory foam to construct pillows, stuff old and saggy couch cushions, or create a luxurious pet bed for your furry, four-legged friends- cats, dogs, or whoever you like to keep!
For a regular, non-foam mattress that cannot be slept on anymore, as long as your bed is free from bed bugs, you can cut it up and repurpose it as a diaper changing station for your newborn, quilts, pillows, etc. You can use it for yourself as well as donate it to any shelter or charity, who will have better use of it. Some people can also use the materials to hide plants in the winter. Be sure to do some basic cleaning before you give it away as a practice of good hygiene.
Return it to the manufacturer
Many mattress manufacturers take it upon themselves to reduce the waste of an old mattress, repurpose, recycle or responsibly dispose of it. Many manufacturers even provide incentives if you return the mattress to them- like discount coupons, free pick-up, and price slashes if you buy a new one from them. This is one of the best ways to get rid of your old mattresses as you do not have to worry about the logistics and you might as well score some discount coupons off it.
Donate your old mattress to charity
Get in touch with the charities in your area or city to determine if any are ready to put the mattress to good use. Thanks to health regulations, most charities like government shelters and NGOs are not able to accept donations of mattresses from the general people, whether or not they are clean and covered. But some charities accept cleaned mattresses or take the responsibility of cleaning them. This information can be found once they are contacted.
However, many charities are able to use unwanted mattresses for varied purposes. The most effective place to test would be with a rescue animal shelter or animal sanctuary. These charities are often in need of mattress materials and other bedding which they are able to chop up and use to create cleaning rags and soft, comfortable beds for the animals. Some charities will even give you an option for pick-up so that you do not have to worry about logistics.
Why using a Livpure mattress is responsible?
Livpure mattresses are made to last- The mattresses come with a long 10-year warranty. All the mattresses are made to be environment friendly, and not only human friendly. Be it a memory foam mattress, latex mattress, or high-resilience foam mattress, everything is made to last you a long time. Think about it this way- if a mattress lasts you more than 10 years, you are anyway reducing a lot of wastage and landfill. You also do not have to worry about anything and sleep peacefully every night. Not only do the mattresses last, but they are also worth the money you invest in them. Pocket friendly, human friendly, and environment friendly- what else can you ask from a mattress!
Conclusion
Given that disposing of a mattress is a time consuming thing, you may obviously want to make your mattress buying decisions wise. Choose a durable and sustainable mattress. With proper mattress maintenance and regular cleaning, it is not impossible for mattresses to last for decades even after the warranty is over. It can go a long way towards reducing your household’s overall wastage. Read more about the importance of a mattress