Background to Recycling
In 2023 an EU Impact Assessment Report states mattresses currently have a reuse and recycling rate of 20% across the EU and generate approx. 240,000 tonnes of textile waste per year. The report go’s on to say “discarded mattresses are unlikely to be resold in social enterprises and are more likely to be sent for recycling where their most valuable components (metals and foams) are removed for safe recycling
In July 2202, the Community Resources Network Ireland released a briefing paper titled “Improving Mattress Recycling”. It states mattresses are complex and bulky products that have traditionally been managed within a linear economy model. This model is also called the “take-make-waste economy, ” meaning we take the world’s resources, make a product, use that product, and make it waste. This waste is mainly handled at the bottom of the waste hierarchy.
The report says the market is starting to shift toward more circularity. Key suppliers, such as the foam industry are beginning to invest in recycling options while manufacturers and retailers are also looking to natural materials such as foams or the overall design to ensure ease of dismantling or include recycled content.
The Sleep Foundation suggests replacing your mattress if one or more of the following apply:
- It’s 6-8+ years old
- It’s negatively affecting your sleep
- It’s noticeably saggy or damaged in certain areas
- It’s making more noise than usual (noisy springs are common in old innerspring mattresses)
- You find that you sleep better at hotels, friends’ houses, etc.
- You notice an increase in allergies and/or asthma
- You regularly wake up with muscle or joint stiffness
What Can Be Recycled
About 80% of materials in the average mattress can be recycled. That’s because most are made of steel springs, a wood frame, polyurethane foam and fabric. All mattress types are fair game, from traditional innerspring mattresses to latex, hybrid and memory foam options. And yes, you can recycle nontoxic mattresses and organic mattresses. (Source: Green Living – The Readers Digest).
Disposing of Old Mattresses
Many households struggle with how best to dispose of old and unwanted mattresses after spending hundreds or in some cases thousands of euros on a new or specialized mattress. Most people would prefer not to spend much money on the disposal of old mattresses.
One option is to visit your local civic amenity site. They usually accept old mattresses for recycling, but getting the mattress to the location can be a challenge in terms of time and cost. You’ll also need a vehicle big enough to fit a mattress.
If you have a car but your boot is too small to fit the mattress when flat, you might find it fits if you roll it up and fasten it with rope. This effort usually takes 2 people. You might also use a van to get your mattress to the civic amenity site/mattress recycling centre.
Mattress Recycling for Reuse
When you hand over your old mattress for recycling it will make its way to a specialist social enterprise operating as mattress recycling facility in Ireland, Most of the recycling breakdown and separation work is done by hand. You will see the general steps in the table below.
| Mattress material | How is it recycled | What it is recycled into |
| Metal springs removed | Shipped and melted down for reuse | How is it recycled |
| Foam padding separated | Extracted/cleaned for reuse | Furniture stuffing, pillows, and carpet underlay |
| Spilt natural fibre (i.e. wool & cotton) | Washed and spun into new fibre | Insulation, new yarn, or other recycled textiles |
| Detach outer fabric | Stripped from mattress and shredded down | Low-grade fabric, refuse-derived fuel (renewable energy) |
Mattress Recycling 2025
To help, Recycle IT offers a simple, convenient, sustainable and free solution over a number of weeks each year. Householders can drop off Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3pm
Our facility will open on a number of Saturdays in September between 9.30am and 12.30pm with dates to be confirmed. There will be a number of community collection days in different areas of South Dublin. These areas will be confirmed closer to the confirmed the dates for the 2025 Mattress Recycling Amnesty
- This Mattress Recycling Amnesty is for householders only and is not open to business
- Help will be on hand to lift and move old mattresses from cars and vans to the mattress recycling colleciton point. We will also be open on a number of Saturday mornings (dates to be confirmed).
- Recycle IT will accept mattresses. Teams can accept metal bed frames but we are unable to accept wooden bed frames.
- During this initiative Recycle IT can offer cost effective personal collections to homes wishing to recycle an old mattress.
- You will find the Recycle IT, address, telephone number and a map here.
Listen to Una Lavelle, General Manager at Recycle IT speaking with Sunshine 106.8 FM about mattress and electrical recycling during. Click here.
Please Note: Free Mattress Recycling ended on Saturday 28th September 2024. Recycle IT are no longer accepting mattresses free of charge. We would hope to offer free mattress recycling again in 2025.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT is a not-for-profit, social enterprise working to deliver environmentally friendly recycling solutions and real training and employment opportunities.
Recycle IT operates under the Community Services Programme (CSP). The programme supports community companies and co-operatives to deliver local social, economic, and environmental services that disadvantaged communities. The Community Services Programme is managed for the Department of Rural and Community Development by Pobal, a not-for-profit company tasked with managing programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU. Recycle IT is one of over 400 social enterprises operating with funding support from the programme in Ireland.
This Free Mattress Recycling Initiative is supported by: South Dublin County Council and operated by Recycle IT for a limited period.
Learn more @ www.recycleit.ie
Recycle IT 