A simple to follow how-to guide.
Most bed retailers will advise that you replace your mattress every 8 years. But what the freak do we do with our giant mattresses when it’s time to say goodbye?
We can’t just fold them up and stuff them in the kitchen bin – so how do you correctly dispose of your unwanted and old mattresses?
But if you don’t want to read the whole article, we can happily discuss your best options over the phone. Simply call us for professional mattress disposal advice: 03300 948 148.
- Repurpose – can you sell or donate your mattress?
- Will you be replacing your mattress from a retailer, if so will they take it?
- Drop it off at your local tip or household recycling centre
- Book a bulky item collection with your local council
- Arrange a man and van to collect the mattress
- Hire a skip which allows mattresses
1. Repurpose – can you sell or donate your mattress?
Before diving straight towards the idea of throwing your mattress away, could you make good of it? With tonnes of waste ending up in our landfills and oceans every year, is there a way that you could save your mattress from ending up in that statistic?
If the mattress is in good condition, charities, housing shelters and even churches may take your mattress off your hands.
Alternatively, you could pay a small fee to have a professional clean your mattress so you can keep it for a few years longer or sell it effectively.
A few charities that would happily accept your healthy mattress include the British Heart Foundation, Furniture Donation Network, British Red Cross and the Furniture Re-use Network.
It is important that when donating or selling a mattress that the fire safety label is still attached and intact, otherwise it will not be accepted.
How much can you get for selling your mattress?
The best place to sell your mattresses are include platforms such as Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and Selling Groups.
The prices you can get for a second hand mattress that is clean varies from £15 – £80 depending on it’s condition, size and remaining longevity.
However do make sure your mattress is fit to sell, if there’s springs or holes in the object, nobody else is probably going to want it.
2. Will you be replacing your mattress from a retailer, if so will they take it?
A lot of mattress retailers will be able to collect and dispose of your mattress – but this is only if you purchase a new one from them directly. Some companies will offer old mattress disposal as an additional freebie extra, however others will ask for a fee.
Below are up to date examples showing how much retailers typically charge to collect and get rid of your old mattresses. Do remember, you need to buy one if you choose to go down this route!
A list of UK retailers and their average charges for mattress disposal:
| Retailer | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Benson for Beds | N/A advice only | https://www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk/sleep-hub/i-old-bed-dispose-mattress |
| Casper | £40 | https://casper.com/uk/en/faqs/uk-orders-shipping/what-is-included-in-mattress-removal/ |
| Dreams | £15.00* | https://www.dreams.co.uk/recycling-services |
| Emma | £35.00 | https://www.emma-mattress.co.uk/faq/collections/ |
| Furniture Village | £55.00 | https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/furniture-collection-service.html |
| IKEA | £20.00 | https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/customer-service/services/removal-recycling/ |
| Mattress Man | £25.00 | https://www.mattressman.co.uk/delivery |
3. Drop it off at your local tip or household recycling centre
If you have access to a car, van or know friends or family with one, your next best option could be to take your old mattress to your local council waste tip. Normally, household recycling centres don’t charge for your visits, therefore all you need to do is drive down and throw it away.
However we understand that this may be a difficult option if you don’t have access to any suitable vehicles or if the centre is quite far away. There’s also the problem of having to get to the centre during working hours or when you have other commitments, so we fully understand this option not being for everyone.
Also, if you’re a business or trader, the local tip may prohibit you from taking old mattresses there, so please check beforehand.
However, if this option isn’t suitable for you, then the next may be!
4. Book a bulky item collection with your local council
If you rent or own your own home, instead of having to travel with that gigantean mattress, you can simply phone your local council and book a bulky waste collection. Every UK council will provide this service, however you have consider that there may be high demand and your collection could be delayed for weeks.
You also have the aspect of needing to pay a small fee. This small fee differs from area to area however it’s a small cost to get rid of a big problem.
Although this isn’t a free service, the cost and convenience is worth it to get rid of an old, in-the-way mattress.
5. Arrange a man and van to collect the mattress
One of the quickest and most effective ways to dispose of your mattresses is through a waste removal service. These companies can usually offer a man and van service, this is where they will send a team over to pick up your bulky mattress, throw it in the back of their van and take it away just as fast as they arrived.
Depending on where you are, we can help you can find a local, licensed man and van by entering your postcode here :
Here at Circle Waste we charge a small fee of £20* per mattress as part of a larger man and van clearance. These larger disposals would be ideal if you plan to or are having a house clear out and need a solution to get rid of big and bulky items such as fridges, ovens, carpets and of course, mattresses.
With a man and van service, they will also carry out the labour for you, unless you would prefer to put it outside ready for them. So if it’s convenience for a small fee you’re looking for, this may be your best option!
6. Hire a skip that allows mattresses
If you are looking to have a bigger clearout and your mattress is just part of it, then you may want to explore your options of a skip. Not many skip companies will take a mattress, but there are still some firms in existence who can allow for them.
There may be an additional fee for you to dispose of your mattress, but this also means you then get a skip to use for all the other waste you have laying around, two in one really!
Have these tips helped you decide on how to get rid of your mattress?
A mattress is one of the most awkward objects to get rid of, and so we wanted to help give you some tips onto how to best get rid of this.
