Mattress toppers last about 3 to 5 years. And when it’s time for yours to retire, it’s good to have options on how to dispose of or recycle your old mattress topper.
Australia has around 1.25 million mattresses sent to landfill each year. That’s a lot of rubbish!
Some mattress toppers are also made of toxic materials like flame retardants, formaldehyde, and phthalates which can be harmful to the environment. When they decompose, they release hydrogen cyanide, isocyanates, etc., which can easily contaminate soil and groundwater. So, it’s actually quite dangerous to your community when you dispose of your mattress topper irresponsibly.
However, it’s possible to say “bye bye mattress” without leaving a huge amount of carbon footprint. Before you think about chucking your old mattress topper in the bin, consider these 10 ways to recycle old foam mattress toppers.
Recycle Foam Mattress Topper
1. Gift your mattress topper to a friend or family member.
Let your friends and family know that your old mattress topper is up for grabs and is ready for pick-up. It never hurts to ask, and it’s such an easy and quick way to get your item off your hands fast. At the same time, this is also a great way of extending the lifespan of your mattress in a much more eco-friendly way.
2. Donate your mattress to local charity organizations.
Call your local charity, like Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Habitat for Humanity, to check if they accept old mattress toppers. Donating can be a cheap way to improve beddings at homeless shelters or spruce up an old couch or seating area. Supporting a non-profit organization is always an admirable act.
3. Drop your mattress topper off at a recycling center.
Get in touch with your local council to see if they have a service for recycling mattresses. They should be able to collect your mattress for recycling, or you can make a drop off at their location.
If they don’t offer these services, you can also check with local recycling centres. A social enterprise called “Soft Landing” offers mattress recycling services across NSW, ACT, VIC and WA. Another company, SUEZ, offers old bed mattress recycling in the Sydney, NSW area.
4. Contact your mattress topper’s manufacturer and ask about a recycling program.
If recycling facilities don’t work out, most manufacturers offer recycling programs for used mattresses and mattress toppers. Just give them a class, and they should be able to get it off your hands. This is a great time to shop for a new mattress at their store as well.
READ: What is a Mattress Topper and Do I Need One?
Repurposing Mattress Toppers
Instead of throwing away your mattress topper, why not repurpose them? Social media and all of the internet world is full of great DIY ideas, and if this is something you enjoy doing then this is the best time to put your creative mind (and hands) to work. Here are a few ideas to start you off, but feel free to do your own thing!
5. Create pet beds for your dog or cat.
No need to purchase a new pet bed. Try making your own using your mattress topper. You can cut it up in a smaller size to fit your furry baby. Then, pile them up together to make it fluffier. It might also be a good idea to get some old clothes or fabric to create a casing for it. Your pet will surely appreciate this eco-friendly bed!
6. Cut it up and make pillows or stuff saggy couch cushions.
Add new accent pillows on your couch or bed by turning your mattress topper into pillows. You’ll need to get a pillowcase or couch cushion cover and measure out the dimensions. Once it’s all fitted, you’ll have soft pillows that look totally new.
7. Create a cushion topper for ottomans and footrests.
Another great way to add more comfort to your furniture is to reuse your mattress topper as cushioning for ottomans and footrests. Imagine going home from work and settling down on your couch to watch a movie with your leg up on a soft footrest. Nice!
8. Use your memory foam as a bean bag chair stuffing alternative.
A bean bag is just like a big pillow, right? Cut up your mattress topper into tiny little pieces and use it to re-stuff your old beanbag. This will add another layer of comfort to a sagging bean bag. This would definitely be a great home improvement.
9. Create lumbar support pillows for vehicles and desk chairs.
This will depend on where you’d like more support. For example, you can cut up some of the old memory foam mattress topper into long pieces which you can attach to the armrest of your chair. Or you can cut up a block to put on the neck area as a neck pillow or lower back area of your car seat for more support there.
10. Use it as an outdoor daybed, as a garden bench, or for camping
Putting pillows or foam beds outdoors can be quite daunting because of weather changes. The good news is there’s no guilt in using an old mattress topper as an outdoor daybed or cushioning for your garden bench. You can even use it as padding under sleeping bags so you can have comfort and elevation from the soil.
Final Words…
Don’t carelessly throw away your mattress topper in the bin. Be responsible for your rubbish. After all, disposing your mattress pad is really easy and can also be really fun! Not to mention all of the environmental benefits you can bring to your home and community.