At Skip It, our mission is to make London cleaner and greener. We aim to recycle over 92% of the waste we handle. Additionally, we provide advice and guidance on responsible waste disposal.
If you’re wondering how to dispose of a mattress in London, this guide explains the easiest, most environmentally friendly, and cost-effective options available.
Whether your mattress is old, damaged, or simply no longer needed, disposing of it correctly helps reduce landfill waste and supports responsible recycling across London and Surrey.
How to Dispose of a Mattress Responsibly
The two most common ways to dispose of a mattress are:
- Reuse or donation
- Recycling and professional collection
The best option depends on the condition of your mattress, your budget, and how quickly you need it removed.
If your mattress is still clean and usable, donating it is often the most environmentally friendly option. Many charities and reuse organisations offer free mattress collection services, although collection times can sometimes take several days or weeks.
If your mattress is damaged, stained, or no longer suitable for reuse, mattress recycling is usually the best solution.
Alternatively, you can recycle your mattress with the help of a professional waste removal company in Epsom. In many cases, we can be at your property to collect the mattress within an hour, or alternatively, you can book a handy 2-hour time slot that suits you. For urgent needs, you might even consider our same day skip hire service.
What’s more, with Skip It’s commitment to recycling everything possible, you can rest assured that you’re making the responsible decision in disposing of your old mattress.
How to Recycle Mattress?
If you have a large enough vehicle and can lift and move the mattress yourself, taking it to a local recycling centre is a responsible option. Use recycle now’s search tool to find your nearest centre.
Alternatively, some local councils will offer a collection service for bulky furniture. Try visiting their website or giving them a call to find out more.
If you haven’t bought your new mattress yet, remember to check with the shop you’re buying it from whether they’re able to take the old one away when they deliver the new one. Be aware that most retailers are likely to charge you for this service.
An environmentally friendly waste company that is accredited by the Environment Agency, such as Skip It London, can help you to dispose of mattresses in a responsible way. At Skip It, we go the extra mile to recycle everything we can in order to substantially reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill unnecessarily. For smaller items or if a full skip is too much, our mini skip hire could also be a cost-effective solution for your waste.
With our wait & load service, you’ll only pay for what we take. We have one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry and can be at your door within an hour, or offer you a convenient 2-hour collection window.
We proudly provide mattress collection and recycling services across London, Croydon, Epsom, and Sutton.
How to Donate a Mattress?
If your mattress is still in a useable condition, donating it to someone in need is a responsible way of disposing of it.
Many charities offer a free collection service. Larger charities will usually accept online bookings and will display a full list of the items they can take on their website. If you’re not sure, you could always call them to find out.
In the case that a charity shop is unable to resell your mattress, they will aim to dispose of it in another responsible way. Charities can often make money from passing items on to other organisations that can reuse or recycle them, so your donation will still make a difference.
Alternatively, websites such as Freecycle and Freegle allow you to pass your items on directly to other people. Make sure to specify in the advert whether or not you can offer delivery.
How to Sell an Old Mattress?
If you’re interested in making some money from your old mattress, consider advertising it for sale on a second-hand website like Gumtree or Preloved.
If that doesn’t work or you don’t have the time to handle multiple enquiries, ask around to find it out if anyone you know, or anyone your friends and family knows, is looking for a cheaper option.
Looking for the most straightforward way to dispose of a mattress responsible? Give Skip It a call, and we’ll take care of it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to dispose of a mattress for free in the UK?
You can dispose of a mattress for free by donating it to charities like the British Heart Foundation if it’s in good condition, giving it away on platforms like Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace, or taking it to a local recycling centre if they accept mattresses at no cost.
Can I take a mattress to the tip in the UK?
Yes, you can take a mattress to your local household waste recycling centre (tip), but it’s best to check with your local council first to confirm their rules and whether they accept mattresses.
How to discard an old mattress?
You can discard an old mattress by using your local council’s bulky waste collection service (usually for a fee), taking it to a recycling centre, using a retailer’s take-back service when buying a new mattress, or hiring a licensed waste removal company.
Do local councils take mattresses?
Yes, most local councils in the UK offer a bulky waste collection service for mattresses, but this typically comes with a fee, so check your council’s website for details and pricing.
You can find out how to recycle other old household items in our helpful articles below:
