When you’re ready to say goodbye to your old mattress, you need to prepare your mattress for recycling the right way to ensure it’s accepted and processed efficiently. With the Massachusetts Landfill Ban now in effect, both residents and businesses are required to recycle mattresses rather than discard them.
Recycling your mattress is one of the most eco-friendly choices you can make—more than 75% of its materials can be reused. Yet across the U.S., fewer than 1 in 10 mattresses are recycled, making proper preparation all the more important.
At Tough Stuff Recycling, we’re dedicated to making the mattress recycling process easy for Massachusetts residents, municipalities, and businesses. To ensure your mattress is accepted and processed efficiently, there are a few simple steps to follow before scheduling a pickup or drop-off.
Step 1: Remove Bedding and Accessories
The mattress recycling process starts well before the pick-up or drop-off! First, start by removing all sheets, pillows, comforters, mattress toppers, and mattress
protectors. This includes any permanent plastic covers that may have come with your mattress.
None of these items are recyclable as part of your mattress unit, and can complicate the process. If these items aren’t too badly damaged, however, you can donate them to a local shelter or textile recycling organization, such as Planet Aid.
Step 2: Check for Cleanliness
For your mattress to be eligible for recycling, your mattress must be clean and dry – or, as we like to call it, conforming. Minor stains from regular use are acceptable, but mattresses that are heavily soiled with bodily fluids, mold, or mildew will be considered non-conforming, and therefore not recyclable.
That’s because these contaminants pose health risks to workers and may damage machinery during processing. If you’re unsure whether your mattress meets these standards, reach out to us directly and we can help you determine whether it’s suitable for recycling.
Step 3: Beware the Mattress Menace
Mattresses with an active bedbug infestation cannot be accepted for recycling. If your mattress has or recently had bedbugs, you’ll need to have it professionally treated by a licensed pest control service.
After treatment, encase the mattress in a certified bedbug-proof bag and allow at least two weeks to pass before scheduling a pickup or drop-off. This ensures that there won’t be any cross-contamination.
Step 4: Prepare for Pickup or Dropoff
Once your mattress is clean and bedbug-free, you’re ready to schedule a pickup or drop off. If you’re using our convenient curbside pickup service, your mattress must be bagged to protect it from moisture, dirt, and pests. This is especially important during rainy or snowy weather.
Mattress bags are available at most hardware or home improvement stores and should be fully sealed to keep the unit in recyclable condition. If you’re not sure where to find one, make sure to get in touch with your local municipality representatives.
For curbside pickup, make sure the mattress is placed outside by 7 AM on the scheduled day and is easily visible and accessible to our team. Avoid placing it near bulky trash or construction debris to ensure a smooth collection.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to drop it off at our Fitchburg facility, our friendly team will guide you through the process once you’ve scheduled the drop-off appointment. Just drive up and follow the signage or staff instructions. Schedule your pickup or drop off, and you’ll be in and out in no time!
Why Mattress Recycling Matters
In Massachusetts alone, hundreds of thousands of mattresses are discarded each year. Landfilling them wastes valuable resources and clogs up limited space, especially since mattresses are bulky and difficult to compact.
They can also damage landfill equipment and create safety hazards. Keeping mattresses out of the landfills can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Start The Process Now
Recycling your mattress shouldn’t be a hassle. By following our easy, step-by-step guide, you’re playing your part in helping conserve resources, reduce landfill waste, and making our world a greener place to live for everyone. Ready to schedule your pickup or drop off? Get in touch to start the process.