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Last Updated May 19, 2025
Upgrading your mattress? Sounds great. But what about the old one? Most end up in landfills, nearly 20 million a year in the U.S. alone. And while tossing it might feel like the easiest option, the truth is that mattress waste is a growing environmental issue, and most of it is totally avoidable. Well, here’s the good news: your old mattress doesn’t have to become landfill clutter. In fact, up to 85% of its materials can be recycled and put to good use. This article will show you how to do exactly that.
Key Takeaways:
In the U.S. alone, an estimated 18 million mattresses are thrown away every year. Because they’re bulky and don’t compact well, mattresses take up a huge amount of landfill space (about 40 cubic feet each). And that adds up fast. Unlike food or paper waste that breaks down over time, mattresses stick around and clog up valuable landfill space for years.
The frustrating part is that nearly 85% of a mattress’s materials can actually be recycled. Inside every mattress, there are steel springs, wood frames, polyurethane foam, and textiles like cotton or wool materials that still have value.
When we send mattresses to landfills, all of that is wasted. Steel can be melted down and reused. Foam can become carpet padding. Even the fabric and wood can be repurposed. Recycling gives these materials a second life, which reduces the need to produce new raw materials and cuts down on industrial waste.
There’s also the environmental factor to consider. Many older mattresses contain toxic flame retardants, adhesives, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If these mattresses end up in landfills or are incinerated, those chemicals can leak into the air, soil, and groundwater. Substances like PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) have been linked to serious health problems, including hormone disruption and developmental issues in children. Recycling helps keep these harmful materials out of the environment and out of our bodies.
Beyond environmental impact, mattress recycling also makes financial sense. As landfill tipping fees rise, cities and towns are under pressure to manage waste more efficiently. Recycling programs reduce those costs. In fact, states like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island now have mattress recycling laws funded by small fees added at the time of mattress purchase. Through these programs, the Mattress Recycling Council has helped California alone recycle over 10 million mattresses since 2016, recovering more than 380 million pounds of material.
So, while mattress recycling might seem like a hassle, it’s a simple way to make a real impact. It saves space, reduces pollution, recovers useful materials, and even lowers waste management costs for your community. Instead of sending your old mattress to the dump, recycling it is a smarter, more responsible way to say goodbye.
Mattresses are recycled through a careful process that breaks them down into their individual materials so each part can be reused.
First, the mattress is collected. This might be through:
Here's an amazing fact - Three U.S. states (California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) have mattress recycling laws that make this step easier.
Not every mattress is recyclable. When it arrives at the facility, workers inspect it for damage, infestations, and stains. If it’s in really bad shape, it may be sent to a waste-to-energy plant. Otherwise, it moves on to the breakdown stage.
This is where the magic happens, though it’s not glamorous.
Skilled workers (or machines in some facilities) cut the mattress open and separate each material. Think of it like unmaking the bed... forever.
They remove the outer fabric cover, foam or latex layers, steel coils or springs, and wooden framing from box springs. Each of these gets sorted into separate bins. That’s the foundation for recycling.
Once the materials are separated, they’re cleaned and processed:
| Material |
What It Becomes |
|---|---|
| Steel springs | Melted and turned into building materials, appliances, or new metal parts |
| Foam | Shredded and reused in carpet padding, insulation, or moving blankets |
| Wood | Turned into mulch, biofuel, or reused for furniture |
| Fabric | Used in industrial filters or recycled textiles |
Most people today sleep on foam or hybrid mattresses, and the recycling process adjusts for that.
Even though recycling works, most mattresses still end up in landfills. Why?
Mattresses are bulky and complex. Taking them apart takes time and people.
Moldy, wet, or bug-infested mattresses can’t be safely processed.
Only a few dozen dedicated mattress recycling facilities exist in the U.S. Most cities don’t have easy access.
Many people don’t even know mattress recycling is an option. Retailers often don’t mention it unless asked.
Still, progress is happening. Some brands are designing mattresses with recycling in mind, and that means using fewer glues, modular parts, and cleaner materials.
If your mattress is still in good shape, donating it is a great option. Many local shelters, transitional housing programs, and nonprofits accept gently used mattresses.
Organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStores may take them, and online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing groups can help you find someone in your community who could use a mattress for free. Just make sure it meets the recipient’s requirements for hygiene and quality.
If donation isn’t feasible, recycling is the next best thing. A mattress is made up of components like metal springs, wood, foam, and fabric, most of which can be reused in some form. Springs can be melted down and repurposed into new metal products. Foam is often used for carpet padding or pet beds. Wood can be chipped into mulch or even used as fuel, and fibers can serve as insulation or industrial filters.
Some states, like California and Connecticut, have mattress recycling programs through the Mattress Recycling Council. You can visit their website to find a drop-off point near you. Private recycling centers and municipal programs may also accept old mattresses, sometimes for a small fee.
For those who enjoy DIY projects, an old mattress can be a goldmine of reusable materials. The metal coils can become quirky wall art, rustic wine racks, or garden trellises. Foam padding works well for homemade seat cushions, floor mats, or even pet beds. Wooden slats can be turned into shelving, compost bin frames, or small furniture pieces. Even the outer fabric can be repurposed for crafts or used as protective padding during a move. This approach is not only budget-friendly but also reduces waste.
If you're purchasing a new mattress, check whether the retailer offers a take-back program. Many stores will remove your old mattress when delivering the new one, and some online mattress brands include this as part of their service. Even if it’s not free, the convenience of having someone else handle the removal and proper disposal can be worth it.
Additionally, services like 1-800-GOT-JUNK or LoadUp can haul away your mattress and ensure it’s disposed of responsibly, often recycling what they can.
In rare cases, certain components of a natural mattress may be compostable. If your mattress contains organic materials like untreated cotton, wool, or coconut coir, you might be able to compost those parts. Just make sure you remove any synthetic layers and break the materials down into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition process. This isn’t a common solution, but it can work for highly eco-conscious households with advanced compost systems.
Of course, if the mattress is in poor condition, disposal may be your only choice. Start by contacting your local sanitation department to see if they offer bulk pickup. If they do, ask about preparation steps, like wrapping it in plastic or labeling it as infested. If you don’t have access to municipal pickup, private junk removal companies can take care of it, often ensuring that as much material as possible is diverted from the landfill.
Recycling mattresses isn’t just about getting rid of old furniture. It’s part of a much bigger story about waste, resources, and responsibility.
Think about it:
And if that’s not reason enough, there’s also the satisfaction of knowing your old bed is now part of something useful.
Recycling a mattress might not seem like a big deal, but when 20 million of them are tossed every year, it adds up. So, the next time you’re ready to upgrade your sleep setup, take that extra step. Don’t let your old mattress end up in a landfill. Give it a second life, and make your environmental footprint just a little lighter.
Most mattresses are made from a combination of components that can be separated and recycled. Metal springs are among the most valuable recycled materials as they can be melted down and reused.
Mattresses made of polyurethane foam or memory foam are often shredded and repurposed for things like carpet padding. Wooden parts, usually found in box springs, can be chipped into mulch or even burned as biofuel. Fabrics and textiles from the mattress cover may be recycled into padding materials.
On average, up to 85% of a mattress can be broken down into something useful.
Mattress recycling starts with collection, which can happen through a city program, a retailer’s haul-away service, or a recycling center drop-off. Once it arrives at the facility, the mattress is inspected to make sure it’s clean and in acceptable condition. From there, workers or machines dismantle it. Components like the foam, steel coils, wood, and textiles are sorted into separate bins. Each material is then cleaned and sent off to be processed for reuse. The entire process helps divert bulky waste from landfills while giving raw materials a second life.
Mattresses are difficult to recycle because they’re bulky and expensive to transport. They’re made of multiple materials that are glued or stitched together, requiring time-consuming manual separation. Contamination from mold, stains, bed bugs, etc., can also make them ineligible for recycling. Plus, many regions lack access to proper mattress recycling facilities.
In many places, throwing a mattress into a standard dumpster is illegal or heavily discouraged. Mattresses are bulky and don’t compact well, which creates problems in landfills. Plus, most municipal waste services have rules against disposing of them with regular trash. In some cities or apartment complexes, tossing a mattress in a dumpster could lead to fines. Instead, it's better to check with your local waste management department for a designated bulky item pickup or take it to a proper recycling facility. Many mattress retailers also offer take-back programs when you buy a new one, so it’s worth asking.
If you live in Rhode Island, mattress recycling is pretty much straightforward thanks to the state’s participation in the Bye Bye Mattress program, run by the Mattress Recycling Council. This program offers free drop-off locations throughout the state for both residents and businesses.
All you need to do is check ByeByeMattress.com to find a recycling site near you.
Mattress retailers in Rhode Island are also required by law to offer to take your old mattress when delivering a new one, so you may not even have to lift a finger. Just make sure to ask when purchasing your replacement.
Use ByeByeMattress.com to find local drop-off sites in states with recycling programs like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Otherwise, check with your city’s waste department or search online for private recyclers or junk removal services like LoadUp or 1-800-GOT-JUNK.
Cut off the outer fabric with a utility knife, pull out the foam and padding, and separate the springs using pliers or wire cutters. Break down the wood frame if there is one. Sort materials by type for easier recycling.
Usually not. Most air mattresses are made from PVC or rubber, which most recycling centers don’t accept. If it still holds air, donate it. If not, consider repurposing the material.
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Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.
