Mattress Recycling – Dispose of Mattresses Sustainably to Save Earth

by Waste Dis Waste Disposal and Removal

Mattress recycling has slowly turned into an essential process that involves recycling the mattress completely. The benefit of this process is that the mattresses that were destined to go to landfill sites got recycled as much as possible, and only 10 to 15% of a mattress reached the landfill sites. This saves a tremendous amount of space at these sites, and another benefit is that it conserves energy and reduces carbon print. In this article, we discuss mattress recycling, how it is done and what are the benefits.

Why Does Mattress Recycling Even Matter?

The short answer to this question is that landfill sites across the globe are already overflowing. An infinite amount of garbage is transported and dumped there regularly. In this situation, if we can prevent something from reaching these sites, why not go with it? For example – mattresses take up plenty of space, around 20 to 60 cubic feet. But by recycling, you make sure that the minimum reaches the site, and as mentioned above, carbon footprints also get reduced.

What Is Mattress Recycling?

In this process, the mattresses are sent to mattress recyclers, where professionals dismantle and recycle the materials used in their manufacturing. It involves the separation of the foam, fabric, wood and metal springs installed in the mattress. Mostly materials used in mattress manufacturing can be recycled into new products such as carpet padding insulation and even new mattresses.

What Are The Benefits?

Sending mattresses to mattress recyclers and furniture for furniture recycling is an excellent way to preserve our environment and get rid of bulky furniture safely. The top benefits are –

● Reduces waste in landfill sites

● Conserves natural resources

● Reduces carbon photo print

● Less energy is required in new mattress manufacturing

What Parts Of A Mattress Are Recycled?

According to mattress recyclers involved in mattresses and furniture recycling, more than 80% of the mattress can be recycled, and only the 20% leftover is sent to landfill sites. The parts of the mattress that can be recycled mainly depend on the specific mattress recyclers or the recycling program adopted by them. Let us dive into the details in this segment.

Metal Springs

Most materials used in the springs of mattresses are made using recycled steel. This means that metal springs are the top material to be extracted from the mattresses as a part of the recycling program.

The Foam

The foam used in mattresses is made from organic materials like soy, castor beans and other natural oil sources. It can be recycled easily, and hence, mattress recyclers ensure that every millimetre of foam is extracted from the mattresses. Some mattresses are made using latex foam made from plant-based latex. It is also recyclable and a renewable source of latex and hence, it also becomes a candidate for recycling.

The Filling

This mattress stuffing is created using cotton and foam, and both can be recycled very easily to waste removal services. It is extracted from the mattresses before sending them to the dump site and processed and reused for stuffing pillows, reupholstering furniture, and also used as carpet padding and in the manufacturing of pet beds. Even the materials and buttons used in them are reused.

Low-Grade Fabric

The low-grade fabric used in mattress manufacturing is made using renewable plants and animal fibre. This includes cotton, wool, silk and other materials from cellulosic plant fabrics. All of them are worthy of recycling, and mattress recyclers also use this opportunity to extract these parts. Mattress toppers can also be recycled, but the process differs from spring recycling.

Let’s not forget that the timber used in mattress manufacturing can also be recycled. Mattress recyclers recycle this timber into kindling and mulch and use it in animal bedding and manufacturing particle boards.