Mattress Numbers

According to European Bedding Industry Association, up to 30 million mattresses annually reach their end of life and it is estimated that 60% end up in landfill and 40% are incinerated. However, it is reported that almost 85% of their mass can be recycled through proper disassembly.

In order to help you recycle your old mattresses, Recycle IT has worked in collaboration with South Dublin County Council over a number of years for a two month period and once funding is approved .

Why People Dump Mattresses

It is usually for a mix of practical and economic reasons:

• They’re hard to dispose of legally. Many cities charge pickup fees or require transport to a recycling center. A mattress is bulky, awkward, and often won’t fit in a normal car.
• Moving costs money and effort. If someone is moving out quickly, abandoning a mattress can seem easier than hauling it away.
• Illegal dumping avoids fees. Landfill charges, junk removal services, or apartment fines can push people toward dumping.
• Low resale value. Used mattresses are difficult to donate or sell because of hygiene concerns and bedbug risk.
• Lack of awareness. Some people don’t know there are mattress recycling programs or municipal bulk collection services.
• Neglect or antisocial behavior. In some cases it’s simply people not caring about the impact on neighborhoods or the environment.

Mattress Recovery

Our teams over the last number of years have offered a free residential mattress recycling service starting in August and running for 6 – 8 weeks. Recycle IT offer a free drop-off service, community colleciton events, Saturday opening and a limited number of estate collection for households located in the South Dublin County Council area.

This mattress recycling initiative allows South Dublin County Council to curtail unlawful disposal of waste mattresses and offer recyclers a free and eco-friendly opportunity to recycle. This in turn helps save valuable resources, and landfill capacity or reduces costly incineration. It really is a convenient and safe recycling solution for residents.

Non-accepted items include:

• Torn, damaged, wet, or twisted mattresses.
• Contaminated, soiled, or infested items.
• Futon frames, bases, or furniture (sofa beds)
• Waterbeds or camping air mattresses

Did you know

A lot of materials used to manufacture a mattress can be recycled and used again to make other useful products. The material and components can be reprocessed into a variety of products including geotextiles, filters etc. Foams can be reprocessed as carpet underlay, gym mats etc., springs are recycled as metal scrap and clean wood (but not contaminated) can be used to fabricate chipboard, mulch, or bedding for animals.

Recycle IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning social enterprise. Services are provided in partnership with South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

Our mattress recycling initiative has ceased until further notice Mattresses can now be dropped off at Eco Mattress, Dublin 11 or Ballymount Civic Amenity Site Dublin 20. There may be a cost for collection and/or recycling, so please call the site in advance.

If you have a local resident association please do contact us. Our team will record your interest and hopefully, we can work with your group to arrange a collection event for your estate later in year.

Recycle IT and South Dublin County Council worked with Bounce Back Recycling to ensure safe recycling and material recovery during this initiative.

For further information please call 01 4578321 or email Recycle IT here. You can visit our website here.