Did you know that mattresses can be recycled? March 21, 2021 Email We spend almost a third of our lives in bed. But what happens when our mattresses and box springs reach the end of their lives? It is estimated that over 50,000 mattresses are discarded every single day in the United States. And unfortunately, many mattresses will be sent to the landfill or illegally dumped on the side of the road. The good news is that there’s a better way of discarding your mattress. Mattresses Can Be Recycled! Your mattress is made of steel, foam, fiber and wood — and when disposed of properly, these materials can be separated and recycled individually. In fact, around 80-90% of mattresses by weight can be recycled. When mattresses are discarded on the side of the road, or otherwise sent to the landfill, these resources are lost and cannot be recovered. Here are some easy ways you can recycle your mattress: Donate Mattresses in Like-New Condition If your mattress is still in excellent condition, consider donating it to a charity or give it away through Freecycle or Craigslist. Make a Junk Pickup appointment Mattresses can be picked up through our Junk Pickup program. Learn more about the program and schedule an appointment. Get Your Old Mattress Picked Up By a Retailer If you live in California and are having a new mattress delivered to your home, retailers are required by law to offer you the option of picking up your old mattress. Inquire with your retailer, as some services may be affected by COVID-19 and exceptions may apply. Take it to a Participating Facility Find a participating facility to recycle your old mattress at no cost to you. Want more recycling and waste-related content? Subscribe to our bi-monthly e-newsletter, The Loop, for the most current recycling, garbage and waste reduction news: bit.ly/TheLoop_signup