You might not give a second thought to getting rid of an old mattress, but tossing it into a landfill isn’t just harmful to the environment — it contributes to the growing mattress waste impact we’re seeing in landfills across the country.
In the U.S., over 50,000 mattresses are discarded every single day, and most of them end up in landfills. That adds up to more than 18 million mattresses every year, taking up valuable space and releasing harmful toxins into the environment.
The mattress waste impact is not only a matter of clutter, but of environmental and public health concerns. By choosing to recycle your mattress instead of tossing it, you’re helping to fight a hidden but serious issue in our waste system.
Understanding the Mattress Waste Impact
Beyond pollution, mattresses are bulky. A single one can take up as much as 40 cubic feet in a landfill. With limited landfill space across states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island, improperly disposing of mattresses puts unnecessary strain on an already overwhelmed waste system.
Mattresses are bulky and difficult to break down. Most mattresses are made of non-biodegradable materials like synthetic foam, polyester fabric, and metal springs. If your mattress ends up in a landfill, it can take decades to break down—and in the process, it releases chemicals like flame retardants and VOCs into the air and soil.
What makes matters worse: according to the EPA, landfills make up one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the US. Mattresses aren’t the primary sources of methane, but they do contribute to the volume of landfill waste – and prolong the lifespan of these emission-producing sites.
It’s because of this that in states like Massachusetts, officials put into place a mattress disposal ban. Under MassDEP regulation, mattresses can no longer be tossed into landfills. Instead, residents and businesses alike need to use eco-friendly alternatives to dispose of them, like recycling.
How Recycling Your Mattress Waste Makes a Difference
Here’s the good news: up to 90% of a mattress can be recycled. That includes metal springs, foam, and wood—all of which can be reused or turned into new products.
When you recycle your mattress, you help:
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Reduce the demand for raw materials
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Lower overall carbon emissions
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Prevent illegal dumping
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Support a more circular, sustainable economy
You can learn more about the mattress recycling process in on of our previous blog. Recycling mattresses reduces the mattress waste impact on landfills and helps recover valuable materials. And while we cannot recycle 100% of the mattress (yet), we’re working on it.
In short, you’re making a choice that benefits the environment, your community, and future generations. As our CEO, Mike Gurnee says, “It’s okay not to have the answer—you just need the curiosity and stubbornness to keep trying to find it.”
When Should You Recycle vs. Donate a Mattress?
Not every mattress needs to be recycled. If yours is clean, untorn, and under five years old, donation might be an option. Local shelters or charities may accept gently used mattresses.
But if your mattress is older, sagging, or stained, recycling is usually the better—and more responsible—choice. In Massachusetts, the Mattress Disposal Ban makes it illegal to throw mattresses in the trash. That means recycling is not just the best option—it’s the law.
However, some mattresses might be non-conforming, depending on their condition, contamination, and local regulations. In those cases you’ll want to investigate mattresses that are considered to be non-conforming units.
How to Recycle Your Mattress the Right Way
Recycling your mattress in Massachusetts or Rhode Island is easier than ever. Tough Stuff Recycling offers convenient drop-off options, and in some areas, curbside pickup is available through your local municipality.
Before your mattress is picked up or dropped off, make sure you follow best practices for preparing your mattress for recycling the right way to ensure it’s accepted and processed efficiently. This protects it from moisture and keeps it in good shape for processing.
The Local Impact You Make by Recycling your Mattress
So, what happens to your recycled mattress? At Tough Stuff Recycling, we’ve helped divert more than 200,000 mattresses from landfills since the ban was first enacted, diverting thousands of tons of waste from landfills in the process. That’s the equivalent of saving 8 million cubic feet of landfill space!
We work closely with cities, towns, retailers, and haulers across the Northeast to make recycling accessible and affordable for everyone. When you choose to recycle, you’re helping build a cleaner, more sustainable future for your community.
The Bigger Picture: Small Actions, Big Impact
Mattress waste may be easy to ignore, but the impact is real—and so is your power to change it. Whether you’re a resident, a business, or just someone who cares about the planet, you have the tools to make a difference—starting with your next mattress.
Ready to recycle your mattress? Schedule your easy pick-up or drop-off today! Together, we can reduce waste and build a stronger, more sustainable future.