In cities across Canada, it is becoming more common for residents to have the option of recycling their old mattresses. Mattresses can be difficult to take apart or dismantle by the resident themselves, so facilities have sprung up across the country to provide mattress recycling services. 

In Vancouver, a local recycler Canadian Mattress Recycling dismantles and recycles mattresses, box springs, and bed frames received by residents and commercial businesses. Their facility achieves a recycling rate close to 100%, so they divert almost the old items they receive from local landfills. 

So now that you know you can recycle mattresses, the next question is: how do I do it? 

1. Preparation Makes a Big Difference

Preparation makes a big difference. Recycling facilities may reject mattresses that are too wet, mouldy, have pests, or excessive human excrement. Therefore, your best chance at recycling a mattress starts by taking good care of your bed when you use it. Keeping a mattress in good condition keeps your end-of-use disposal options open. Then, when it’s time to recycle, it becomes a simple matter of deciding what recycling service you need, as opposed to worrying about whether or not you can recycle it.

2. Understand what mattress recycling services are available

Mattress recyclers often provide two kinds of services: drop-off recycling and recycling pickups. Drop-off recycling is popular with those who can transport their old mattress to the back of their truck and haul it to the recycling facility. In comparison, recycling pickups allow residents to have removers come to their residence to haul their beds away. 

Besides asking yourself if you have the means to drop off your mattress yourself, also consider whether it is worth the drive. Not only that, but hours at recycling facilities may also vary. For example, Canadian Mattress Recycling closes its facility at 4:45 pm every day. If you work past that time or need to travel longer distances, will you encounter hassles like traffic that make you miss the last load times?

That’s why recycling pickups are popular amongst many residents in Metro Vancouver. Canadian Mattress Recycling’s pickup service hauls away residents’ old beds and ensures they’re recycled. Residents do not have to be at home during the pickup, as long as the mattress is easily accessible by the pickup crew.

3. Recycle your mattresses

Once you’ve considered your options, it’s time to pick a service and recycle your mattresses. For drop-offs, advanced booking may not be needed for some recycling facilities. In fact, at Canadian Mattress Recycling, residents can drop off their mattresses with no need to book a slot. You just have to know how much your item will cost to recycle, bring the cash, and off-load the mattress at the loading bays. Commercial loads of 10+ mattresses need reservations, however, to ensure adequate staff are in attendance to process the mattresses timely and efficiently. Alternatively, pickups must be booked in advance for both residential and commercial services. 

Conclusion

We’re not going to lie – recycling can be a satisfying feeling. Waving your old bed goodbye and knowing it will be recycled can be even more satisfying. Instead of decomposing for over 80 years in a landfill, the materials in your mattress will be transformed into new materials for new products. Therefore, we hope this guide helps your mattress recycling efforts by showing you how to prepare a mattress for recycling, understanding what services are available, and how to exactly recycle a mattress.