There are lots of ways to recycle your old mattress so the materials can be recovered and used again. Mattresses in good condition can even be cleaned and donated to charities to help them provide low-cost bedding to those in need.
Everything you need to know about recycling mattresses
Recycling old mattresses and ensembles. Mattresses for recycling must be DRY. Those that have been left out in the weather are not suitable for this recycling program.
Mattresses must also be in a sanitary condition: No bed bugs, lice or fleas. No body fluids - blood, urine, hair (human or animal).
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There are lots of ways to recycle your old mattress so the materials can be recovered and used again. Mattresses in good condition can even be cleaned and donated to charities to help them provide low-cost bedding to those in need (always call the charity shop in advance).
Mattress recyclers are located all around Australia; however, most are in metropolitan areas. Generally, a small fee is associated with these services to cover the costs of recycling or cleaning of the mattress for reuse. The fee will vary depending on the recycler, location, and if the mattress is being picked up or dropped off. Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you.
If you can’t find a mattress recycler in your area, here some alternative options:
Check with the manufacturer to see if they have a take-back service.
Buy your new mattress from a retailer that will collect and recycle the old one (visit the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council for a list of retailers that support mattress recycling)
Contact your council to see if they can collect your mattress or accept it at a transfer station (note: not all councils will recycle mattresses)
If all else fails, you may have to take your mattress to the local tip
Why recycle?
Even though many components of a mattress can be recycled, they are one of the most common items sent to landfill. According to the ABSC, each year in Australia around 1.8 million mattresses are sent to landfill - enough to stretch from Hobart to Darwin if each mattress is placed end-to-end.
By recycling old mattresses, these large and bulky waste items can be diverted from landfill and their components, such as wood, foam, and springs, can be recycled into a number of new products. Recycling mattresses can also help reduce waste handling and landfill costs.
What happens to them?
Many types of spring, foam and ensemble mattresses can be recycled. The mattresses are manually stripped and components are separated for recycling. The timber, wadding, springs, some fabrics and foams, and other materials can be recycled.
Timber: Recovered timber is processed into woodchips and used in the manufacture of particleboard, animal bedding, or mulch.
Springs: Steel springs are sent to scrap metal merchants where they are melted down and used in buildings and infrastructure, vehicles, and appliances.
Foam and wadding: Some types of materials that are inside the mattress can be recycled into carpet underlay.
Image credit: Soft Landing
Australian Bedding Stewardship Council
The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) is working with manufacturers, retailers, and recyclers to move towards a circular economy for mattresses. The program is under development.
The ABSC has approved Soft Landing Mattress Recyclingas a trusted recycler. Soft Landing is a social enterprise that collects and manually dismantles mattresses for recycling to keep the maximum amount of waste out of landfill and to create jobs for people experiencing barriers to work. Operating in NSW, ACT, Victoria and WA, the organisation has both pick-up and drop-off recycling services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I take mattresses for recycling?
Mattress recyclers are located all around Australia; however, most are in metropolitan areas. Use the directory on this page to see if there is a mattress recycler in your area.
Alternative options include: •Check with the manufacturer to see if they have a take-back service •Buy your new mattress from a retailer that will collect and recycle the old one •Contact your council to see if they can collect your mattress or accept it at a transfer station (note: not all councils will recycle mattresses) •If all else fails, you may have to take your mattress to the local tip
How to dispose of an old mattress for free
There are very few no-cost options for mattress disposal, as all large waste items are costly to dispose of. If you are purchasing a new mattress, some retailers will collect and dispose of the old mattress for free.
If the mattress is in good condition, you can try donating it via an online marketplace like Gumtree, or by calling our local charity shop to see if they will accept it.
If the mattress is not in good condition, you can contact your council to see if they will dispose of the mattress for free. Under no circumstances should the mattress be dumped in the environment or on the side of the road without making a booking with your council. Dumping mattresses is illegal and a fineable offense. Recycling mattresses has a high cost with low return, as the materials used to make the mattress do not have a high re-sale value. Recycling your old mattress will therefore come at a cost, which will vary depending on the recycler, your location, and whether the mattress is being picked up or dropped off.
Paying for the recycling of your old mattress is a great way to take responsibility for your waste, preventing it from being sent to landfill and ensuring the resources are used again. Use the information on this page to find recycling options in your area. There will likely also be a cost for taking your old mattress to the tip.
How to dispose of an old mattress
Mattresses can be disposed of in a number of ways, but not all of them will have a positive impact on the environment. The best way to dispose of your old mattress is through a recycler so the materials can be used again to make new products.
You can use the directory on this page to find a recycler in your area, or you can purchase a new mattress through a retailer that will collect and recycle your old one (visit the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council for a list of retailers that support mattress recycling).
If you are unable to find a recycling option, you can contact your council to see if they have a collection service or if they accept mattresses at transfer stations. Note: not all councils will recycle the mattresses they collect.
If all else fails, you can take your old mattress to the tip where it will be sent to landfill. Under no circumstances should you dump the mattress on the street or in the environment (unless you have booked in a pick-up with your council). Dumping mattresses is illegal and is a fineable offense.
Are mattresses recyclable?
Yes, mattresses can be recycled through specialised recyclers. Mattresses that left on the street near recycling or garbage bins will likely not be recycled. Use the information on this page to find out how to recycle your old mattress.
How are mattresses recycled?
If you’re looking to get rid of an old mattress, it’s important to do this responsibly. You cannot leave your old mattress on the side of the street (this is classified as illegal dumping) unless there’s a hard rubbish collection coming up and/or you have booked a collection with your council directly. It is important to note that not all councils recycle the mattresses they collect, so you might want to confirm directly with your council how they dispose of mattresses.
A safer option is to search for a local mattress recycler via the search bar on this page or purchase your new mattress through a manufacturer that will collect your old one for recycling. You might also like to contact your local council to see if they accept mattresses for recycling at one of their recycling facilities. Once your mattress arrives at a recycling facility, the components are separated so as much of the mattress can be recycled as possible. Steel springs can be melted down and recycled into new steel products like roof sheeting, foam can be recycled into carpet underlay, and the textiles can be recycled into acoustic panelling, for example.
Are foam mattresses recyclable?
Foam mattresses can be recycled and turned into carpet underlay, provided you dispose of them responsibly. To find a mattress recycler near you, use the search bar above. Alternatively, you can contact your local council, as many councils accept mattresses for recycling at their recycling facilities.
Are air mattresses and blow-up mattresses recyclable?
Air mattresses cannot be easily recycled, unfortunately. You should not put an air mattress in your household recycling bin.
If the air mattress is in good condition, you may be able to donate it via an online marketplace like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. If it cannot be donated for reuse, you might like to contact the manufacturer to see if they run a ‘take back’ program. Otherwise, it should be put in your garbage bin.
Are mattress springs recyclable?
Mattress springs are made from steel, which can be recycled. When mattresses are collected by recyclers, the mattress is taken apart to separate the different components and materials. The steels springs are melted down so they can be recycled into new products, such as roof sheeting.
To ensure the valuable metals in your mattress are recycled and not sent to landfill, be sure to recycle your unwanted mattress – you can find local mattress recyclers via the search bar on this page. Alternatively, if you have only mattress springs to dispose of, these can be taken to a scrap metal recycler.
Can you recycle plastic mattress bags?
The plastic bags that are used to protect mattresses when they are sold are a type of soft plastic, which should not be put in your recycling bin at home. A small portion of councils in Australia accept soft plastics in recycling bins, so you should check directly with your council if you are unsure.
If your council does not accept soft plastics in recycling bins, then the plastic should be put in your garbage bin.
How much does it cost to recycle a mattress?
The cost of recycling mattresses varies depending on the recycler, location, and whether the mattress is being picked up or dropped off. For example, mattress recyclers Soft Landings charge between $52 to $80 per item.
How to recycle mattresses
Mattress recyclers are located all around Australia; however, most are in metropolitan areas. Generally, a small fee is associated with these services to cover the costs of recycling or cleaning of the mattress for reuse. The fee will vary depending on the recycler, location, and if the mattress is being picked up or dropped off.
Alternative options include:
Check with the manufacturer to see if they have a take-back service,
Buy your new mattress from a retailer that will collect and recycle the old one (visit the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council for a list of retailers that support mattress recycling),
Contact your council to see if they can collect your mattress or accept it at a transfer station (note: not all councils will recycle mattresses),
If all else fails, you may have to take your mattress to the local tip.
The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) is working with manufacturers, retailers, and recyclers to move towards a circular economy for mattresses. The program is under development.
The ABSC has approved Soft Landing Mattress Recycling as a trusted recycler. Soft Landing is a social enterprise that collects and manually dismantles mattresses for recycling to keep the maximum amount of waste out of landfill and to create jobs for people experiencing barriers to work. Operating in NSW, ACT, Victoria and WA, the organisation has both pick-up and drop-off recycling services.
Why should I recycle my mattress?
Even though many components of a mattress can be recycled, they are one of the most common items sent to landfill. According to the ABSC, each year in Australia around 1.8 million mattresses are sent to landfill - enough to stretch from Hobart to Darwin if each mattress is placed end-to-end.
By recycling old mattresses, these large and bulky waste items can be diverted from landfill and their components, such as wood, foam, and springs, can be recycled into a number of new products.Recycling mattresses can also help reduce waste handling and landfill costs.
What happens to my mattress when I recycle it?
Many types of spring, foam and ensemble mattresses can be recycled. The mattresses are manually stripped and components are separated for recycling. The timber, wadding, springs, some fabrics and foams, and other materials can be recycled.
Timber: Recovered timber is processed into woodchips and used in the manufacture of particleboard, animal bedding, or mulch.
Springs: Steel springs are sent to scrap metal merchants where they are melted down and used in buildings and infrastructure, vehicles, and appliances.
Foam and wadding: Some types of materials that are inside the mattress can be recycled into carpet underlay.
