A mattress is a significant investment that can benefit you for many years. But what should you do when your mattress reaches the end of its lifespan? When you buy a new mattress, what happens to the old one?
Here are some ways to effectively dispose of your mattress to help the environment.
Why Should You Recycle Your Mattress?
As it rots in the landfill, the large and bulky mattress may emit toxic elements. Imagine the amount of space taken and chemicals emitted when many of these big mattresses are stacked.
Due to its size, a mattress takes up a lot of space, doesn’t compress well, and may cause environmental damage with its buoyant structure. In addition, it takes a mattress 100 years to decompose. That is approximately three to four generations, which is at least ten times longer than its stay in your home. With its environmental and health impacts, recycling a mattress is a smarter choice.
Fortunately, various mattress components are recyclable through deconstruction. Here are some mattress parts that you can reuse:
- Foam Materials
- Mattress Springs
- Mattress Cover
Mattress Recycling 101
Here are some eco-friendly ways to dispose of your mattress in Singapore.
Connect to Your Mattress Manufacturer
If applicable, contact the seller where your old mattress was bought and inquire if they are connected to a mattress recycling company or programme that you can participate in.
Avail a Mattress Disposal Service
Many mattress shops in Singapore also offer mattress disposal services when you buy your mattress from them. When purchasing your new mattress, feel free to check with your mattress retailer if they offer a disposal service. This might not be free of charge, but it can certainly take the heavy work away.
Donate Your Old Mattress
If you are upgrading your mattress due to some changes in your sleeping habits and not necessarily because of its deteriorating quality, you might find some organisations that accept used mattresses. When donating your bed, make sure that it is in a sanitary and comfortable state. We don’t recommend donating damaged mattresses or those with bed bug infestations.
Repurpose Your Mattress
Feel a bit more crafty? Try recycling your mattress at home. Based on the list above, you can break your mattress into various components and use them to refurbish some parts of your house. Quality foam materials are especially handy for many home improvement projects.
Conclusion
They say recycling is not for the faint-hearted. But you’re not one, are you? Mattress recycling is something that we need to practice. While mattresses are changed only once every 6–8 years, this huge sleep solution can contribute to many environmental impacts. So, when you buy a new mattress in Singapore, consider recycling your old one. This will not only save some space in your home, but this simple action can create a big difference on the planet that we live on.
DISCLAIMER: All the information, including the texts, images, and other materials on this website, are for educational purposes only. Although we strive to present accurate information to our readers, no material on the Somnuz website is a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified medical professional with regards to your health. NEVER disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read in this article.