Mattresses and Box Springs Alternative ways to recycle Junk Pickup If your mattress and box spring are in good condition, consider donating them. Otherwise, the City’s Junk Pickup Program is a free convenient way to dispose of old mattresses, box springs, futons, and mattress toppers. Never dump mattresses on the side of the road. It’s expensive for public agencies to pick up illegally dumped mattresses and the Junk Pickup Program is a great free disposal option. Donate Your Mattress Consider taking a used mattress or box springs to St. Vincent de Paul. They will not resell mattresses for hygiene reasons, but they will recycle them. For more helpful recycling and reuse tips, read “How to Donate, Recycle, or Get Rid of Your Mattress” by AmeriSleep. Alternative Ways to Recycle Donate Your Mattress Consider taking a used mattress or box springs to St. Vincent de Paul. They will not resell mattresses for hygiene reasons, but they will recycle them. For more helpful recycling and reuse tips, read “5 Ways to Donate Your Mattress” by AmeriSleep. Ways to Reduce Clean Your Mattress If you invest in keeping your mattress in good condition, you’re more likely to hold onto it long term or find a new home for it when you’re ready for a new one. Follow these tips to remove dust, stains and deodorize your mattress. Flip or Rotate Your Mattress Flipping or rotating your mattress can extend its life and give you a more comfortable sleep experience. Not every mattress can be flipped, but every mattress can be rotated. Learn more from Healthline. Did You Know? How Mattresses Are Recycled Fillet the Mattress to Recycle It St. Vincent de Paul employs workers to fillet or cut apart mattresses using a box cutter. These workers recycle approximately 170,000 mattresses per year. Compared to other mattress parts, material from “T” frame steel box springs is generally sold for the most money and lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Polyurethane from used mattresses is often recycled into wall foaming.