Why Mattress Disposal Matters: The Smart Way to Handling Mattress Dumps

Every year, millions of mattresses are discarded across the U.S., with nearly 50,000 mattresses trashed daily. These bulky items are difficult to manage, often ending up in landfills where they take up valuable space and contribute to environmental degradation. Mattress disposal matters, so read along as we share statistics and answer frequent questions about our residential mattress recycling and commercial recycling opportunities.

The Problem with Mattress Dumps

Mattresses are not only cumbersome—they’re also made of materials that don’t break down easily. When dumped illegally or sent to landfills, they:

Occupy 27 to 60 cubic feet each
Weigh around 60 pounds
Damage landfill equipment
Take over a decade to decompose

This makes mattress disposal a growing concern for municipalities, businesses, and environmentally conscious consumers.

The Sustainable Solution: Commercial Mattress Recycling

Organizations like Spring Back Recycling are transforming the way we think about mattress disposal. Through commercial recycling, they divert over 3 million cubic feet of waste from landfills annually by recycling approximately 50,000 mattresses each year.

What Happens During Mattress Recycling?

Here’s a visual breakdown of the process:

Steps:

Collection – Mattresses are picked up curbside or dropped off at designated locations.
Disassembly – Skilled workers manually separate mattress components.
Sorting – Materials are categorized for reuse.
Recycling – Components are processed and repurposed.

Materials Recovered:

Steel Springs – Recycled into new metal products
Polyurethane Foam – Used in carpet padding
Cotton Fibers – Reused in insulation
Wood – Repurposed or mulched
Felt – Recycled into industrial filters

Social Impact: More Than Just Recycling

Spring Back’s social impact model goes beyond environmental benefits. It creates paid, skill-building jobs for individuals overcoming homelessness, addiction, or incarceration—offering a second chance and a path to stability.

Convenient Mattress Disposal Options

Whether you’re a homeowner or a business, Spring Back offers:

Curbside pickup
Drop-off locations
Community collection events
Custom commercial recycling programs

Mattress Disposal Q&A

Q: What is the best way to dispose of a mattress responsibly?
A: The best way is through mattress recycling programs like Spring Back Recycling, which ensure that up to 95% of materials are reused instead of ending up in a mattress dump.

Q: Can businesses recycle mattresses in bulk?
A: Yes! Commercial recycling services are available for hotels, universities, and other institutions that need to dispose of mattresses in large quantities.

Q: Why shouldn’t I dump my mattress illegally?
A: Illegal mattress dumps harm the environment, attract pests, and may result in fines. Recycling is a cleaner, safer, and often more affordable alternative.

Q: What materials from mattresses can be recycled?
A: Commonly recycled materials include steel springs, foam, cotton, wood, and felt—all of which can be repurposed into new products.

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To visit our Donations page, click here.

For a list of all recycling options, visit click here.

For commercial recycling opportunities and information, click here.

For local pickup services, click here.

Mattress Disposal Matters