Mattress Recycling Guide

Everything you need to know on how to recycle a mattress

Did you know that an estimated 6 million mattresses are thrown away each year in Canada alone?

If we stacked these mattresses on top of each other, it would be enough to reach 203 times the height of Mount Everest!

Can you imagine? 203 Everest of mattresses?

And that's not counting other mattresses thrown away every year in the rest of the world!

We imagine that those of you who are fond of mountaineering would prefer to climb something else than a mountain of waste... And that's why we present you today with this mattress recycling guide, so you know how to dispose of a mattress the eco-responsible way.

Whether it's a visco elastic foam mattress, a memory foam mattress or a traditional mattress, there are options for getting rid of it properly.

So you want to learn more about mattress recycling? Just follow our guide!

1 - Resell or donate your mattress

What's the best way to get rid of a mattress? When looking for the best way to handle your old mattress disposal, resale is probably the way to go. Firstly, it has no negative impact on the environment, and secondly, you are making someone else happy. Plus, the best part? 

You make some money out of it!

 If your old mattress doesn't look good because it has too many barbecue stains from your "Netflix & Steak" binge nights in bed, it may not be super trendy on the market.

At this point, we may suggest that you give it to a friend, family member, or some acquaintance. Who knows, maybe this is what will save your cousin John-Oliver from sleeping on the floor after moving out too quickly from his apartment after a chaotic breakup.

2- Donate your mattress to an association

Many associations are dedicated to providing a bed to people in need. Others resell donated mattresses to finance their humanitarian activities.

In either case, donating your mattress to a charity can be a great way to recycle your old mattress. Some of them even offer a mattress recycling service and will gladly come to your house to pick up your mattress.

Here are some associations that will be happy to recover your old mattress:

If you choose this option to recycle your mattress, that's two more karma points for you!

3 - Drop it off at an eco-center (the real mattress recycling option)

Since there's no such thing as a mattress dump, opt for an eco-center. Between 95% and 99% of the materials used to make a mattress are recyclable.

So it's a shame if it all goes straight to the landfill. Right?

Mattress recycling is a great option because it gives a second life to the materials that have made you (and your back) happy for so many years.

For example, urethane foams can be used to manufacture carpets, and polyester foams can be used to manufacture car headrests.

So, you never know... maybe your old mattress will be used to support Jacques Villeneuve's head when he makes his big racing comeback!

So, can we throw a mattress at the dump?

If you're still wondering, it may be because you haven't read the above. Before you think about the garbage can, remember all the many other mattress recycling options we just told you about.

Of course, it's often easier to throw away a mattress in the garbage (although not always). But think about it: a mattress takes up to 100 years to decompose. That means your mattress could be around for 3 to 4 generations!

Therefore, just remember that there is no shortage of options for mattress recycling. Be creative, and say "bye-bye" to your mattress the proper way!

Big talker, big doer (what’s mattress recycling like at Polysleep)

At Polysleep, we make sure that none of the mattresses returned by our customers are destroyed.

"So what do we do with returned mattresses? " you might ask.

Excellent question!

We assure our old mattresses a second life by working with more than a hundred charitable organizations across Canada. Since the beginning of Polysleep, thousands of mattresses have been distributed to people in need. It’s our way to do better for the planet while doing a good deed for those who need it the most.

So, are you convinced? Do you feel like you know everything you need about mattress recycling? Good! Jacques Villeneuve's head will thank you!

Learn more about Polysleep's environmental commitment: