You need a new mattress, but what will you do with your old one? Simply taking it to the dump may not be a good option.

It's pretty common knowledge that a good mattress will help you sleep better and sleep deeper throughout the night. This is important because numerous studies have shown that the better you sleep, the better you’ll function during the day.

Mattresses, Sleep and Back Pain

Unfortunately, finding a "good" mattress can be a challenge. 

Everyone is built slightly different and each person's particular sleep and comfort needs vary. This makes finding a mattress that is a "perfect" fit such an elusive search for so many people. And the problem becomes further complicated when you have two people sharing the same bed and mattress!

Yet, the need for a good mattress is real. According a 2011 poll by the National Sleep Foundation, 92 percent of people said that a comfortable mattress is important to a good night's sleep.

Another expert noted in a recent article,

"In the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Jacobson et al say 'Based on these data, it was concluded that, in this population, new bedding systems increased sleep quality and reduced back discomfort, factors that may be related to abatement of stress-related symptoms.'

A followup study was done in which they 'prescribed' a specific foam mattress to patients based on sleeping position, and once again they found , 'It was concluded that sleep surfaces are related to sleep discomfort and that is indeed possible to reduce pain and discomfort and to increase sleep quality in those with chronic back pain by replacing mattresses based on sleeping position.'

In conclusion, it’s worthwhile picking a good mattress."

There are a number of health-related reasons for purchasing a new and better mattress, as well.

For example, an article at Healthline.com reported that,

“A review of 15 studies found that people who don't get enough sleep are at far greater risk of heart disease or stroke than those who sleep 7–8 hours per night… Sleeping less than 7–8 hours per night is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.”

In addition, old mattresses can cause issues for people who experience allergies. Over time and with extended use, old mattresses will accumulate dead skin cells and dust mites and these can irritate people with allergies.

While proper care such as vacuuming the mattress surfaces, disinfecting where possible, and washing your sheets frequently can help minimize these problems, they can’t completely solve them.

So, when should you buy that new mattress?

The Better Sleep Council suggests that you should change your mattress if it's over seven years old. And Consumer Reports magazine recommends replacement every 7 to 10 years. However, this also depends largely on the style and construction of your mattress. Some mattresses, such as those made with memory foams and latex, can last up to 15 years, which is far longer than the average innerspring mattress.

Finding Your Best Option for Old Mattress Removal

Upgrading to a new mattress is always a great idea,especially in light of the fact that you spend close to a third of your life sleeping on one. And, as we've already noted here, neck and back pain or chronic tiredness and fatigue resulting from insomnia, are often the results of a poor mattress or one that is simply worn-out.

But what happens once you've gotten your new mattress set up? How are you going to get rid of your old one?

While there is no accurate statistic for how many homes have old mattresses stored in basements or garages, we do know that more than 50,000 mattresses a day are discarded in the United States alone, with many of them ending up in landfills. However, if your old mattress still has usable life left in it, there are better options.

You can donate clean, used mattresses in good condition to many non-profit organizations. And if this is not an option you want to pursue you can also give it to a family member, a friend, or even a neighbor who can use another, newer mattress.

It's also possible to sell your usable, but used, mattress although you should research any sanitation regulations in your area in regards to mattress sales. 

Finally, if your old mattress is too old and not usable, or you simply need to get rid of it quickly, consider recycling.

Why?

Well, for starters, just trying to load an old mattress into a truck and haul it off to the local landfill can be a major chore. And you may not be able to anyway depending on the facility.  While there are some municipalities that offer bulky trash pick up services, this can be time-consuming, costly and still require that you haul it out to the curb on the appointed day.

Fortunately, your old mattress can be recycled.

Why recycling?

For one, in California it's strongly encouraged through a number of laws. According to the CalRecycle website:

"The California Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act aims to reduce illegal dumping, increase recycling, and substantially reduce public agency costs for the end-of-use management of used mattresses. The legislation established an industry-run, statewide program to increase the recovery and recycling of mattresses at their end-of-use. Cleanup legislation signed by the governor in September 2014 (SB 1274) provides additional clarity regarding definitions, report submittals, and record keeping requirements.  The law was further modified in October 2019 through AB 187 to amend definitions, plan, budget, and annual reporting components, and include additional state baseline and goal requirements."

You might look at your old mattress and wonder how much of it can be recycled? Almost all of it as it turns out. 

According to information provided by AmeriSleep,

“Most materials in a mattress can be repurposed once a bed is deconstructed (about 85-90%), and enterprising entrepreneurs are constantly developing new ways to use old bedding."

Here's a quick break down of what mattress recycling looks like:

• Springs & Coils: Metals can be melted and made into raw material for new items
• Foams: These can be shredded and used for carpet padding, moving pads, and even as a source of fuel
• Fibers:  All of the cotton and other fibers can be turned into filters, insulation or also burned for fuel
• Fabrics & Upholstery:  These materials can be reclaimed for use in other products
• Wood: The wood from the frame can be chipped for mulch or for fuel prodcuts

There are currently laws in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island that allows retailers collect a disposal fee on all new mattress and box spring sales.

In addition, the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) operates recycling programs (known as Bye Bye Mattress) in those states which have enacted mattress recycling laws (California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. )

But the good news is that you can simply call a professional mattress removal firm like Junk King and have the whole process done for you.

Your Best Mattress Removal and Recycling Resource

Junk King provides an efficient, safe and eco-friendly mattress disposal service to make the whole process easy for you. Our experienced mattress removal team will have the manpower to haul off that mattress and bed frame without damaging any of your home on the way out.

We’ll do all the heavy lifting - no need to carry it out to the curb and leave it to be an eyesore for your neighbors. Finally, we’ll make sure that your mattress is disposed of at a proper recycling facility so that it doesn’t cause any harm to our environment.

Our professional and insured mattress disposal team will call 15 minutes before we show up at your home or office, and we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your items take up in our truck. You just point and we'll haul your items into our junk removal trucks - and with no hidden fees!

Ready to get rid of your old mattress? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.

You make an appointment by booking online above or by calling 1-888-888-JUNK (5865).