A mattress is not something that occupies our minds apart from the fact that we all desire a good night’s sleep, so we are concerned mainly with the comfort it delivers. But at some stage when we decide to replace it is when we should take very seriously how we are going to dispose of the old mattress. 

Mattresses are bulky items which on average, get replaced every 7 to 10 years. It is estimated that 7.5 million mattresses are disposed of in landfills in the UK every year, creating a potential mountain of waste that with a bit of effort, could be avoided. Although mattress components are recyclable, only about 15% of mattresses are sent for recycling in the UK, but this is a problem that can be averted if anyone buying a new mattress looks into how they could carry out mattress disposal responsibly. 

Traditionally when choosing a suitable mattress for your bed, you would go to a mattress shop and be able to lie on the display beds before making your choice. Now with so many online companies selling mattresses, there is no way of trying it out before ordering, and if you are disappointed when your mattress arrives and it does not live up to your expectation, you are within your rights to return it within a certain period. This has led to a mountain of mattresses that are unwanted and that are returned for a refund, as they are still under guarantee. Most mattress retail outlets work on a return rate of less than 5%, but the online retailers expect a return rate of more than 20% which impacts hugely on the number of unwanted mattresses that need to be disposed of. There are understandably environmental impacts of this practice as there is a buildup of unwanted mattresses and many of these, unfortunately, are destined to end up in landfills. 

Some online mattress providers work with hospitals and care homes to supply them with these slightly used mattresses, so fortunately they are reused. Some get sent to be recycled, but unfortunately many land up in landfill sites.

Here are some of the ways to get rid of your unwanted mattress.

• If it is not too old you may try and sell it online.  
• Some charities such as the British Heart Foundation, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army will accept the donation of any mattresses. Many of these may even offer free collection, so this is a responsible option when you need to dispose of a used mattress. This is a good option especially if the mattress is in good condition. 
• If you are buying your mattress from a retailer they may offer you removal services by taking the old one away when they deliver your new one either for free, or for a small charge.
• Organise with a recycling centre to take your old mattress so that it can be broken down into its original materials, for example springs, and foam, which can then be reused safely. 
• Contact Junk Removal Wirral because as a professional waste disposal company, we can recycle your old mattresses in a responsible manner. This is one of the ways you can get rid of your old mattress.

Mattresses are not easy to recycle as they are made up of many different components. They contain both synthetic and organic materials which break down at different rates. The synthetic materials take decades to break down which is why they should be kept out of landfills. There are also dangerous chemicals such as bleaches and dyes used in their manufacture. When these break down they pollute the ground and water and when they leach into the surrounding soil these chemicals are poisonous to both plants and animals.

Used mattresses are bulky, often soiled, and unhygienic, and the metal springs which are used in their manufacture are very difficult to process. In fact this problem of recycling mattresses is experienced all over the world.  

There are some parts of the mattress that are recyclable and can be reused in some way.

• Wadding which can be used for cushion filling once it has been cleaned.
• Foam which once it has been cleaned, processed, and bailed, can be used in the manufacture of carpets or to make refuse derived fuel.
• Springs which are difficult to process but can be melted down to be used as scrap metal in iron-based products.
• The covering which is normally soiled is commonly used in the manufacture of refuse derived fuel.

Please remember it is illegal to fly-tip any waste, and you can be fined or face prosecution for dumping your mattress or any other waste, irresponsibly. 

Why use Junk Removal Wirral

If you decide it is time for a new mattress for your bed, and you need dependable removal services for your old mattress disposal, please call us at Junk Removal Wirral. We are your local waste removal company and service the areas of Wirral, Chester, Liverpool, and Ellesmere Port.  Our professional team will remove your old mattress and you can rest assured that we will dispose of it in a responsible manner. We even offer a same day service if you need us urgently. We also offer mattress disposal services after hours and at weekends if these times suit you better. 

We collect your old mattresses of any size so whether you are cleaning out your home, a deceased estate, your holiday home, or granny flat, we will be happy to help you. Our professional team is polite and friendly, we arrive punctually at the agreed time, and we make sure the area where we have removed stuff from is spick and span before the van leaves.  We are committed to keeping our environment clean so we recycle where possible and will dispose of anything that cannot be recycled in a responsible manner. 

Please contact us for a free, no obligation quote.

Wirral & Liverpool: 0151 808 0407

Chester: 0124 495 3100

Email: enquiries@junkremovalwirral.co.uk

https://www.junkremovalwirral.co.uk