Don’t let worrying about how to get rid of your existing mattress keep you awake at night! For a small fee, our mattress removal and recycle service can remove this hassle for you. In addition to helping you, we will also be helping the planet!
Recycling mattresses – UK statistics 2022
Mattress recycling is the process of breaking down used mattresses and repurposing the materials for other uses. This can include recycling the steel coils, foam, and other materials for use in new products such as carpet padding or insulation. In order to recycle a mattress, it must be clean and free of bed bugs and other infestations.
According to statistics shared by The National Bed Federation, 24% of mattresses are sent for recycling in the UK (2022). However, after sorting and processing, only 14% end up being recycled. This means a significant number of mattresses end up in landfill each year! This not only creates an eye sore but more importantly, impacts on the environment. The UK Government is aware of the current haphazard approach for end-of-life mattresses. As such, they are considering including mattresses as a product category under their ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR) scheme. This is something we at Land of Beds support.
The importance of recycling mattresses
Recycling mattresses is important for several reasons:
- Environmental protection: Mattresses are made of materials that can take a long time to decompose in landfills, such as steel, foam, and wood. By recycling them, these materials can be repurposed and used again, reducing the need for new resources.
- Space conservation: Landfills are becoming increasingly crowded, and recycling mattresses can help free up space in these facilities.
- Health and safety: Mattresses can be a breeding ground for pests, such as bedbugs and dust mites, and can also harbor mold and mildew. Recycling them can help prevent these health and safety hazards.
- Economic benefits: Mattresses can be disassembled and the materials can be sold to manufacturers to be used in new products, generating revenue for local economies.
Overall recycling mattresses is a important step towards sustainable living and reduction of waste.
Possible ways to recycle a mattress
There are several ways to recycle a mattress:
- Donating: Some organisations, such as homeless shelters and charities, will accept gently used mattresses. This not only diverts the mattress from the landfill, but it also provides a valuable resource for people in need.
- Deconstruction: Mattresses can be taken apart and the materials can be recycled separately. The steel springs can be sold to scrap metal yards, the foam can be used in carpet padding or insulation, and the wood can be used as fuel or mulch.
- Composting: Mattresses can be broken down and made into compost, which can be used to enrich soil.
- Refurbishment: Some companies will refurbish mattresses and donate or resell them.
- Take Back Programmes: Many mattress manufacturers and retailers have take-back programs that will recycle mattresses for you.
It is important to check with your local authorities and waste management companies to see what options are available in your area.
Mattress recycling service at Land of Beds
At Land of Beds, we take our corporate social responsibility seriously. We work closely with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that they too take their environmental and sustainability roles and responsibilities seriously. We are proud to partner with manufacturers who continually research and explore new uses for each and every part of a mattress.
When customers add our removal and recycle service, mattresses are collected and returned to a third-party provider (Bulky Bob’s) for assessment.
Bulky Bob’s collects, sells & gifts pre-loved furniture with the ultimate aim of ending furniture poverty. Collected mattresses, if suitable, are prepared for reuse after being subjected to Bob’s Ultraclean machine. This ground-breaking machine uses a seven-step intensive cleaning process to ensure all mattresses are clean and hygienic before being redistributed. When it is not possible to reuse a mattress, it is recycled responsibly.
As a result, less mattresses end up in landfill each day. To do this, mattresses are taken apart with the different materials being separated ready for transportation to other recycling destinations. For example, metal springs are sent to a metal recycling plant to be melted down and used in new iron products.
FAQ about our mattress removal, recycling and delivery service
Do you offer removal of the old bed or mattress?
For the majority of divan beds and mattresses, we certainly do! This will be clearly noted in the product listing. Let us remove and recycle your old bed and mattress. We want to help reduce the impact on the environment, and the hassle for you. All we ask is that you dismantle your old bed ready for us to take away. You can add this handy service to your order for just £45.
If this service is important to you, and isn’t listed as an option on the product page, please contact our helpful sales team [email protected] or 01928 242829). We might be able to offer a more personalised service to suit your needs.
How much does it cost to add the removal and recycle service?
It currently costs £45 to use this service.
Can you take away more than one mattress?
Unfortunately, we can only take away the number of mattresses being delivered. So, if you are ordering two mattresses from us, you can arrange to have up to two of your old mattresses picked up and recycled at the same time. The disposal fee applies to each mattress so that it can contribute towards the costs of recycling them, individually.
How do I arrange for my old mattress to be collected?
You can add our handy removal and recycle service to your basket at checkout or call our team on 01928 242829.
How much is delivery of my new mattress/bed?
We offer free delivery to the UK mainland for orders over £100; there are applicable charges for deliveries to the highlands or far out UK. Lead times will vary based on the product that has been ordered, and the manufacturer that it has been ordered from. You will receive an order acknowledgement email which will have an estimated delivery date.
Where do you deliver to? Are there additional charges for Highland delivery?
We offer free delivery to the UK mainland for all orders over £100. There are applicable charges for deliveries to upper Scotland and outlying England along with far out UK and offshore. Please get in contact with our sales team via, [email protected] or 01928 241239 for a delivery quote.
Do you deliver overseas?
We will deliver to a UK based shipper of your choice, and it is then your responsibility to transport the goods to your overseas address. Please contact our sales team via, [email protected] or 01928 241239 for more information.
How long does delivery take?
We send order confirmations for each order placed with us; all delivery lead times are clearly stated on the product page when you have selected all options.
Can I track my delivery?
We know how exciting it is waiting for a new product, so all our order confirmations come via email with an estimated delivery date to pop in your calendars. One of our customer care specialists will be happy to help you over the phone on, 01928 242829 or via email, [email protected]
Which delivery partner do you use?
We have a number of fully insured, National delivery partners, including Keen & Able and Arrow XL; along with our own delivery team. All delivery partners are extremely experienced in delivering large items with a two-man delivery crew.
Will I be contacted beforehand to arrange a delivery slot?
Our delivery team will be in contact with you directly to book in a suitable delivery slot; this will either be via email, call or text message.
Can I choose my delivery day?
This depends on your postcode and how often our delivery teams are in the area. Some can provide a weekend delivery service and others do not. When our delivery team contacts you to book in for delivery, you will be able to discuss a suitable date that works for you. (Our normal deliveries are Monday-Friday, however if you require a weekend, please contact us via, [email protected] or 01928 241239 and we will do our best to help you.)
Can I change my delivery date when it is booked?
We will always try to be as helpful as we can, please contact us as soon as possible, but no later than 24-hours before your delivery to help us with scheduling – so we can try to rearrange your delivery date to one more suitable. However, please note that this is not a guarantee that we can alter dates once chosen – please try and choose the most suitable date to receive delivery of your products. Cancellations 24-hours prior to delivery may incur a delivery charge.
Can I cancel my order when it’s out for delivery? Can I cancel when it has been booked in?
You can cancel your order when it is out for delivery, but you will be charged a dispatch fee. If your delivery has been booked in with you via our delivery team, then you can either cancel your order or refuse delivery of the item – please note, both will incur a dispatch fee. This is to cover the cost of the delivery and returning the item to our warehouse. Dispatch fees start from £75, depending on size of item and delivery postcode.
Is it the room of choice?
Yes, deliveries will be to the room of choice with our delivery partners. We can also arrange for a doorstep delivery if you would prefer.
Do you deliver to high-rise flats or apartments?
Due to health and safety, our delivery teams will only deliver up to 3-flights of stairs. If you live above 3-flights, please ensure that there is a suitable lift that the product will safely fit into. Please also ensure that you have measured the space to avoid disappointment on the day of delivery. Any information relating to access should be shared with our customer care team. Please email [email protected] or 01928 241239 as soon as possible after placing your order.
Do you offer assembly?
We offer bed assembly on applicable products – more information can be found here. For products we are able to assemble, we simply require adequate space for our helpful delivery guys to work their magic to get you sleeping soundly.
How can I prepare for the delivery?
We would also always recommend not getting rid of your old product until after taking delivery of your new items. On your delivery day, we recommend that you check the room that your product is being delivered to. We also advise checking the path to your chosen room. Be mindful of any low ceilings or stairs with a turn. Please remove any picture frames or ornaments along the route to the room.
How do I measure up for access?
We want to make sure that your delivery goes smoothly, so you can jump into bed and get cosy as soon as possible. Before you can enjoy your next great night’s sleep, you will need to make sure your product can actually fit into the room of choice.
(Measuring the size and dimensions of your bedroom and the current size of your mattress is important when considering buying a new mattress because it ensures that the new mattress will fit properly in your bedroom and that it will be the correct size for you to comfortably sleep on. Additionally, measuring can help you determine the appropriate size of mattress to purchase, whether it’s a twin, full, queen, or king size. Correct measurements will avoid buying a mattress that is too small or too large for your space and needs.)
Do I need to inform you about potential vehicle restrictions?
Any additional information such as potential vehicle restrictions, parking restrictions or road restrictions will be helpful to our delivery partners. Please contact with our customer care team via, [email protected] or 01928 241239 and they will be able to help.