Recycling your old mattress is by far the most responsible way to dispose of it. Doing so helps keep valuable materials in circulation and significantly reduces the number of mattresses sent to landfill.
Across England and Wales, there are a variety of private collection services operating in most areas that will collect and recycle mattresses for a fee. These services typically charge between £30 and £50 for a standard double mattress, though prices can vary depending on location and ease of access.
In addition to national services, some organisations operate regionally, often covering cities or counties, sometimes using local couriers for wider reach. When using any service, it is essential to ensure they are properly licensed waste carriers and that they guarantee recycling rather than disposal. It’s also advisable to check whether they are listed on the Register of Approved Mattress Recyclers (RAMR) to help ensure best practice and traceability.
Don’t forget to check with your local council, as policies vary. Some offer dedicated bulky waste collections or mattress recycling services, sometimes through partnerships with local recyclers. In other areas, you may be required to take the mattress to your local Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC).
If you’re purchasing a new mattress, look for retailers who offer take-back schemes. However, it is important to ask what happens to your old mattress—is it properly recycled, or just sent to landfill under another name? In some cases, old mattresses or components are reused without adequate processing. To ensure peace of mind, consider buying from retailers that sell products made by NBF-approved members, as these adhere to high standards for hygiene, safety, and product honesty.
Lastly, be cautious of informal or unlicensed collectors—particularly those offering to take bulky items like mattresses for cash. These services often result in illegal fly-tipping or the unsafe reuse of materials. In some reported cases, old mattresses have even been recovered and sold as “cancelled orders” or “bargain stock” to unsuspecting buyers.
To help reduce waste, consumers can also choose mattresses that have been designed with end-of-life in mind, using recyclable materials or modular construction that makes future disassembly easier.