For decades, the fastest – and easiest – way to get rid of an old mattress was to toss it in the trash. A junk removal service would pull up, grab the mattress, and haul it away. Simple, right?
The problem is, that mattresses sometimes end up in a landfill, where it sits for decades, slowly breaking down and releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.
The choice between junk removal and mattress recycling wasn’t always part of the conversation. But with Massachusetts’ 2022 mattress disposal ban, the way you get rid of a mattress must be more responsible.
Recycling keeps mattress waste out of landfills and allows reusable materials to be repurposed. Let’s break down the key differences between junk removal and mattress recycling – and why your choice matters.
What Happens to a Mattress After Junk Removal?
If you go with junk removal, the goal is convenience. A truck pulls up, hauls away the mattress, and you don’t have to think about it again. But where does it go?
In some cases, mattresses are sent straight to landfills or incinerators. That comes with some serious downsides:
- A single mattress takes up about 40 cubic feet of landfill space – adding to already overcrowded landfills.
- Mattress springs can jam and damage landfill equipment, creating expensive problems down the line.
- Foams and fabrics release toxic chemicals like VOCs when they break down.
- A mattress can take 80 years or more to decompose, meaning it sits in the landfill for generations.
When you rely on junk removal, it’s important that your mattress doesn’t become part of the pollution problem – contributing to landfill overcrowding, methane emissions, and unsafe conditions for workers and communities.
If you do need to work with a junk removal company, ask them to bring your mattress to Tough Stuff Recycling! If you are a junk hauler, please join the growing number of companies working with us to recycle collected mattresses.
What Is Mattress Recycling?
Mattress recycling works differently. Instead of sending your mattress to the landfill, it’s dismantled into parts that can be reused. At Tough Stuff Recycling, we break down each mattress into:
- Steel springs → recycled as scrap metal
- Foam padding → turned into carpet underlayment or insulation
- Textiles and fibers → repurposed for industrial uses
- Wood frames → used as mulch or biomass fuel
This means your mattress avoids the landfill altogether. Instead, you’re contributing to a circular economy where materials are kept in use and waste is minimized.
Mattress Junk Removal vs. Recycling: The Cost Breakdown
Since November 2022, Massachusetts has made it illegal to put mattresses in landfills. That means junk removal that doesn’t utilize mattress recycling isn’t just harmful – it can put you at risk of violating state regulations.
On top of that, junk removal costs more. Haulers often charge $70–$300+ to take away a mattress. Haulers are charged higher fees to drop mattresses at waste end sites, adding to their costs. Recycling, on the other hand, is often much more affordable – and in some cases, your municipality may even subsidize the cost to make it less costly for residents.
The Environmental Impact: Mattress Waste vs. Sustainable Disposal
Every day in the U.S., more than 50,000 mattresses are thrown out. That’s nearly 720 million cubic feet of landfill space every year.
In Massachusetts, the disposal ban alone diverts about 600,000 mattresses each year from landfills. That’s a huge win for the environment – but only if you choose recycling either directly with Tough Stuff Recycling or through an affiliated junk removal company.
When you recycle, you’re keeping valuable materials in circulation and helping to reduce greenhouse gases, pollution, and landfill strain.
The Circular Economy at Work
When you recycle a mattress, you’re part of something bigger: a system where resources are reused instead of wasted. At Tough Stuff Recycling, we work with residents, businesses, hotels, and municipalities to create smarter, greener waste solutions.
Your choice makes a difference. Whether it’s one mattress or hundreds, recycling helps protect the environment, saves valuable landfill space, and supports healthier communities.
👉 Ready to make the better choice? Schedule your mattress recycling pick-up or drop-off with TSR today.