- Australians dispose of around 1.8 million mattresses each year, and most go straight to landfill where they take nearly 100 years to break down.
- Roughly 75 percent of a mattress is recyclable, including steel springs, foam (used as carpet underlay), and latex.
- Most local councils offer one or two free bulky-item pickups per year that include mattresses.
- Companies like Soft Landing operate dedicated mattress recycling services in Perth and other major cities.
- Some retailers offer trade-in or take-back programs when you buy a new mattress, which is the easiest disposal route.
Australians throw out about 1.8m mattresses are thrown out each year and it is often seen dumped on the verge of the road ready for someone to pick it up or waiting for the Council Collection.
Most mattresses that are collected by the council goes straight to landfill.
With landfill space reaching its capacity, we need to look at ways to reduce the mattress reaching landfill.
Did you know that your mattress has an expiry date on it?
It just doesn't show on the label like it does on food jars or packages you find in the supermarket.
The expiry date of a mattress differs from one individual to another.
One may use the mattress the entire time of their life (eww) or another may change their mattress after every home move.
At DuuDuu, we recommend using your mattress for up to 10 years as any mattress that last any less would be deemed as of inferior quality.
Why it is not easy to just throw your mattress away.
Firstly, a mattress is not like a food jar where when you're done with it, it goes into the bin.
It is big, bulky, hard to store in the store room and hard to get rid off which makes it one of the most challenging household item to get rid off.
Most councils across Australia allow you at least one to two free pickup from outside your home each year.
Take for example, a Queen mattress is usually around 203cm by 153cm and weighs around 46kg.
It is made with components of metal, foam, latex and other fabrics and doesn't break down easily.
If these components were to go to landfill, it'll take almost 100 years to break down one mattress releasing harmful greenhouse gas along the way.
What percentage of the mattress is recycled?
About 75% of the mattress can be recycled to:
- Steel manufacturers are using scrap as part of the manufacturing of new steel, as it has a smaller carbon footprint than making it from scratch.
- Foam of the mattress, which is also reusable, goes into the manufacturing and remanufacturing of floor coverings – primarily carpet underlay.
- Latex is shredded for reuse as carpet underlay, cushioning or even in new couches.
The other 25% of the mattress which are usually the fabrics cannot be recycled.
DuuDuu offers FREE mattress removal service. This is how it works.
- Buy your new mattress online and organize a mattress removal service directly with our trusted partner.
- Click on "Trade in" option at check out.
- We will contact you in regards to the date we will remove your old mattress and it'll be after your new mattress is delivered.
- Please note removal of your old mattress and delivery of your new mattress are carried out by different service providers.
How long does the DuuDuu old mattress trade-in service take to arrange?
Once you select 'trade in' at checkout, DuuDuu typically schedules pickup within 1 to 2 weeks of new mattress delivery. The service is free in metro areas. They contact you with a date once your new mattress has been delivered.
What if my old mattress is too damaged to donate or recycle?
Severely damaged mattresses (mould, bedbugs, major staining) cannot be donated. They can still go to council bulk waste collection or commercial removers, but not all recyclers accept them. Wrapping in plastic before removal contains contaminants.
Can I just leave my old mattress on the kerb without booking?
No, this is illegal in most Australian council areas and incurs fines. You must book a council bulk waste collection or use a commercial service. Illegal dumping fines range from $200 to $7000 depending on the council and offence.
Are there mattress recycling fees in major Australian cities?
Soft Landing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth typically charges $30 to $50 per mattress for collection or free for drop-off. Melbourne's specific recyclers are similar. Council bulk waste collection is usually free but limited to 1 to 2 collections per year.
Is a mattress recycling pickup faster than council bulk waste?
Yes, usually. Commercial recyclers can collect within a week; council bulk waste schedules collection days that may be weeks or months out depending on your suburb. Pay the $50 to $100 commercial fee if you need quick removal.
Can I dispose of just the mattress core without the cover?
If you've removed the cover (for replacement or refresh), the core can still be recycled the same way. Many recyclers actually appreciate covers being removed since separation makes processing easier.
What happens if I just throw a mattress in a regular skip bin?
Most skip bin companies charge an extra fee ($50 to $150) for mattresses because they're bulky and need special handling at the dump. Some don't accept them at all. Check before assuming a skip handles mattresses.
Can I sell a still-functional mattress online?
Yes, on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. Honest descriptions help: state the age, brand, and any flaws. Hygiene-conscious buyers prefer mattresses with proof of protector use. Realistic prices for used mattresses are 10 to 20 percent of original retail.
Are there environmental concerns with mattress disposal beyond landfill space?
Yes. Mattresses release methane as they decompose in landfill (a potent greenhouse gas), and synthetic foams take 80 to 100 years to break down. Some materials (springs especially) can damage landfill machinery. Recycling avoids all of these issues.
What should I do with mattress accessories (toppers, protectors) when disposing?
Toppers can usually be donated separately if clean. Wash protectors and donate them with the bed if that's the route. Synthetic-only toppers might not be recyclable through mattress programs but can sometimes be processed through general textile recycling.
