How to Dispose of Box Springs, Bed Frames, and Mattresses Responsibly
Mattresses have long since been necessary comforts in every home, so it’s hard for many homeowners to imagine that they would have a significant negative impact on the environment. Yet, modern mattresses are made of many materials, including metal coils, chemically treated fabrics and foams, latex, cotton, flame retardants, and more. With nearly 20 million mattresses finding their ways to landfills every year, homeowners have a responsibility to dispose of theirs the right way. This article breaks down the disposal process for mattresses, including information on how to prepare a mattress for pickup and alternatives to Virginia Beach bulk pickup services that may be more convenient in certain situations.
Why Do Mattresses Need Scheduled Pickups?
Throwing a mattress away by using the city trash can, a dumpster, or a landfill is irresponsible for a few reasons. The first is that mattresses take up a lot of space, “as much as up to 400% more space than anything around them”, so after millions of mattresses are disposed of this way, city waste management programs like the Virginia Beach Public Works will eventually be overwhelmed by landfills.
Additionally, mattresses contain many materials that can be recycled, reducing the environmental impact of throwing them out. Cotton, polyester, and foam materials can be converted into insulation while the metal parts, such as the mattress coils and parts of the box springs, can be melted down into any products that use reclaimed steel. Even the bed frames can be chipped into mulch or disassembled and reused.
Mattress recycling used to be far more difficult, but recent advances have allowed waste management teams to create a mattress breakdown process that works better for the environment and keeps bulky trash out of city landfills.
How to Prepare Mattresses for Bulk Pickup
In Virginia Beach, hazardous materials and construction debris are not permissible for the city’s bulk pickup services, but mattresses, box springs, and bed frames can be picked up with the right preparations.
1. Schedule the Pickup
Bulk pickups in Virginia Beach can be scheduled by visiting the VB311 portal or by using the VB Works app. Alternatively, the office can be called at 757-385-4650 or emailed at WasteMgt@vbgov.com. As with any busy city office, homeowners will have a much smoother experience by scheduling through the provided portals, which can respond to requests with far fewer delays.
The request for pickup must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance of the weekly trash pickup for that day.
2. Prepare Mattress for Disposal
Before placing mattresses, box springs, or bed frames on the curb for pickup, they should be properly prepared. This includes disassembly, and removing all bedding and any parts that can be easily recycled, such as wooden frames.
3. Place the Mattress Correctly at the Curb
Public works follows specific guidelines regarding bulk item pickup in Virginia Beach:
- Mattresses must have at least three feet of clearance on all sides from any obstructions, including yard waste, cars, utilities, cable boxes, and mailboxes.
- Mattresses cannot be obstructing sidewalks, sitting in the street, or interfering with traffic.
- Mattresses cannot be placed under powerlines or low tree limbs.
Incidentally, these rules apply to all bulk trash, not just mattresses. The heavy machinery needed to lift bulk trash needs room to operate, and if the disposal team thinks that power lines, tree limbs, vehicles, utilities, and other obstructions will be in the way of their machines, they can delay or cancel the mattress pickup.
4. Wait for Pickup
The mattress should be placed on the curb between 5 pm on the night before pickup and 7 am that day. Bulky items should not be situated on the curb outside of these hours to avoid pedestrian and vehicle obstruction.
Alternatives to Bulk Pickup for Mattress Disposal in Virginia Beach
Scheduled city pickups are not the only way that homeowners can dispose of mattresses in Virginia Beach. Other options include:
Private Recycling Services: Many businesses offer drop-off locations for old mattresses; they also recycle the materials or repurpose for various organizations.
Donations: Many non-profit organizations and shelters accept mattress donations, provided the mattress isn’t torn, stained, or infested with bugs. The Salvation Army is an example of an organization with many local branches. Groups on Facebook Marketplace may also come by to pick up a good-quality mattress.
Use a Waste Management Service: Privately operated waste management companies know the local laws and regulations that determine the mattress disposal and recycling process in Virginia Beach. Hiring one of these services to handle mattress disposal can prevent headaches with the whole process.
Book Your Bulk Pickup in Virginia Beach Today
At Full Strut Disposal, our local waste management team knows the regulations for bulk pickup in Virginia Beach and helps homeowners responsibly dispose of their bulk trash, including mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. Irresponsible disposal puts pressure on the city, the homeowner, and the environment, and can lead to hazards, fines, and cancelled pickups.
Contact our team of waste management experts to dispose of your mattress or other bulk pickup needs in Virginia Beach.
