Why Mattress Disposal Costs So Much

We’re often asked why mattress disposal costs so much. The fact is that properly disposing of old mattresses still poses a significant challenge for the recycling industry to meet. While mattresses do contain valuable materials worth reclaiming, the cost of processing is still quite high.

Mattress Recycling is Not Keeping Up with Demand

According to Sustainability Victoria, over 300,000 mattresses are sent to landfill each year, amounting to over 5,700 per week in Victoria. There are recycling initiatives however that are diverting a significant number of old mattresses from landfill, refurbishing, manual dismantling or mechanical separation to recover the steel. Approximately 332,000 mattresses are recycled in Victoria each year through a mixture of private and municipal initiatives. Mattress recycling capacity therefore accounts for a little over half of used mattresses disposed of each year.

Expanding to meet the demand for mattress recycling is no small task while the return on investing in recovering the steel remains low. The only component of recyclable value from an old mattress is the steel springs. Separating the textile material from the steel springs is labour intensive, even if specialist plant equipment is available for mechanical separation. With scrap stainless steel prices varying between $0.75 and $2.00 per kilo, it is a significant challenge for mattress recycling businesses to overcome the costs involved with processing.

Mattress Disposal at Waste Transfer Stations is Costly

When taking a load of rubbish to the local waste transfer station, you’ll find that mattresses will be charged a separate fee of anywhere from $35 to $65.00 each. Bed bases are charged separately, usually at the same price.

These fees are an obvious barrier for private rubbish removalists to offer cheap mattress removal for their clients, making it necessary to charge by the mattress like the transfer stations do.

Non-spring mattresses are generally charged slightly lower or the same as spring mattresses. More isn’t better either, so bulk discounts are unlikely.

Mattress Dumping a Growing Problem

Some people have chosen to toss their old mattresses on the street or nearby vacant lots, showing regard for their fellow human beings and the environment. Not only are used mattresses unsightly, they provide a cosy place for rats and other pests to nest, creating a potential health hazard. Mattresses can carry and breed disease and parasites, making them an item that is particularly undesirable to handle. Although illegal, rubbish dumping is difficult to police. If you see illegal dumping of mattresses or other rubbish occur, you can report it to the EPA.

How to Dispose of Your Old Mattress for Free

Depending on where you live in Victoria, you will either have the option to leave your old mattress on your nature strip during a local council annual hard rubbish collection period, or you can make an appointment for an annual hard rubbish collection. This municipal service is paid for with council rates paid by local property owners. Contact your local council for specific details on their hard rubbish pickup service, which varies depending on the council.

As explained earlier, just over half of mattresses sent to waste transfer stations are recycled in 2019.

So Do You Take Mattresses or Not?

Yes we do. People often ask us about mattress removal and are curious as ty they cost so much to dispose of compared to other types of rubbish.

It costs around $100 per mattress disposal by It’s Done Rubbish Removal. additional cost may be added for having to take the mattress down stairs or from other difficult to reach places. A discount may be negotiated for 5+ mattresses.

Get in touch if you have one or more mattresses you’d like to get rid of.