It can be life-changing to purchase a new mattress. But what about the old mattress?

We have all seen mattresses illegally dumped in back alleys or beside dumpsters. Not only do mattresses get soggy and gross in the rain and the elements, but they are also a breeding ground for bacteria and critters, and assuming that someone else is going to take care of it is just poor showing.

Properly disposing of an old mattress is the responsibility of the consumer. And it can be tough! Mattresses are bulky, heavier than they look, too big for most vehicles and too big a job to do on one’s own. We understand why some people feel they have no choice but to drag one out to abandon it under the cloak of night.

But did you know that a lot of the material in some mattresses can be recycled? Every year, Canadians produce about 30 million tons of waste so diverting mattresses from the landfill and giving new life to its component parts is a good thing to do.

Don’t know where to start? Here are some options to dispose of mattresses in Parksville, BC, in 2020.

Table of Contents

Three Options to Dispose of Mattresses

Donate / Sell

If your mattress is in good shape and is clean and free bacteria and bedbugs, you can consider putting it on a secondary sales website or donating it to a charity. Some charities will come and pick up the mattress for you, all you have to do is call. You could also consider donating it to a friend or someone in need that you know — you may need to rent or borrow a truck but giving the mattress some extra life is a great feeling.

Mattress Disposal Company

Some junk removal companies have a division dedicated to mattresses and there are City of Parksville and other companies that just dispose of mattresses. It’s a big business! It will cost a fee but that it is money well spent — these companies will do all the heavy lifting right from the bedroom and once it’s gone, it’s gone!=

Take it to the Dump

You may need to find a friend with a big enough vehicle or rent one for the afternoon, but properly disposing of a mattress to the dump is not the end of the world. It’s a job that only comes around every few years! It’s a good idea to plan ahead so maybe you can fill up a whole load and get rid of all that stuff you’ve been meaning to get rid of. Ask your neighbours if they have anything they need to take to the dump so that it’s a worthwhile trip. At the dump, you will be charged a flat rate ($15 per mattress) or by weight.

Whatever you choose to do, it always feels good to dispose of things properly. And besides, it’s the responsible thing to do as a citizen of beautiful Parksville. Plus, there are updates coming to Parksville’s curbside pickup program to make it easier and more efficient. So let’s all do our part and keep our city clean and dispose of mattresses properly.