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Truck & RV Mattress Disposal Guide

White truck driving under bridge

In general, mattresses last for 7-10 years, with some lasting for a longer or shorter period of time depending upon the material, quality, and care of your mattress. SleepDog® mattresses tend to outlast other truck and RV mattresses and come with a 10-year warranty to ensure their quality and durability. In this guide, we outline a range of truck and RV mattress disposal methods that may work for you.

Signs You Need a New Mattress

  1. Body Pain or Aches

    If you wake up feeling sore, it may be the result of a deteriorating mattress. While other factors can influence how you feel in the morning, such as your sleep position and the firmness or softness of your mattress, a mattress in good condition should not be causing you pain.

  2. Fatigue

    If your mattress is no longer doing its job properly, you may suffer a lack of sleep and wake up feeling poorly rested or fatigued during the day.

  3. Sagging

    When the material or padding of your mattress has softened over time, it begins to sag or sink, offering less support than it used to.

  4. Wear & Tear

    If you notice rips, holes, or stubborn stains in your mattress, these can all be signs that’s it time to recycle it and buy a new one.

Ways to Properly Dispose of Your Truck or RV Mattress

Recycle

If your mattress is displaying some of the signs listed above, you can always recycle it. Some states even require you to recycle your mattress because mattresses which are left for trash pickup can be detrimental to the environment. Across the U.S., there are many companies and programs which make mattress recycling easy and low-cost, if not free.

  • Bye Bye Mattress, a program established in the three states which have mattress recycling laws (California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island), is our most-recommended option to recycle your truck or RV mattress.
  • Earth 911 provides a national search engine to help you find a recycling center near you that will accept mattresses.
  • The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC), a resource for the states which have mattress recycling laws, also offers suggestions for how to recycle your truck or RV mattress. Bye Bye Mattress is a program of MRC.

Donate

If your mattress is still in good shape (no stains, mold, etc.), consider donating it. Whether you give your old mattress to a fellow trucker or RVer or donate it to a reputable organization or local shelter, mattress donations can help others while keeping mattresses out of landfills.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army: Not only do they accept mattress donations, but they also offer pick-up service. You can schedule a time for them to pick up your mattress from your location.
Load Up Logo
LoadUp: a junk removal company, offers donation pickup and haul away services for nearly any item, including truck and RV mattresses. They can help you repurpose items which are still in good condition by picking them up and delivering them to a local charity.
Habitat For Humanity
Habitat for Humanity: An organization that is dedicated to ensuring everyone has somewhere to call home. They do not offer pick-up service but they will accept mattress drop-offs.
Furniture Bank Association of America
Furniture Bank Association of America: This organization recycles home furnishings for free to people who need them. They do offer pick-up service for furniture including mattresses, but it is typically limited to a 15–20-mile radius. You may have to drop off your mattress for this particular organization.

Alternatively, some colleges and universities collect mattresses and furniture at the end of each academic year to give to students who will need them for the next semester. You can check with nearby universities to see if they have a program like this.

For more information on mattress donations check out the DonationTown online database to find other local companies which offer mattress donation services.

Resell

If your mattress is in good condition, you can find buyers on websites such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp. Alternatively, if you’re looking to give away your mattress but don’t necessarily need to sell it, freecycle.org offers an online exchange of items for free.

Repurpose

If you have the time and creativity, you can repurpose your mattress through DIY crafts. Mattresses are almost 100% recyclable and come with useful parts such as wood, metal springs, fibers, and memory foam that can be used to manufacture or create new items like other furnishings, firewood, or mulch.

If you choose to repurpose your mattress, be aware of any sharp pieces. We recommend watching a tutorial video before undertaking a project like this.

If your truck or RV mattress is displaying the signs that it’s time to say goodbye, the team at SleepDog® is here to help you properly dispose of it and answer any questions you may have. The tips and tricks offered in this guide are meant to offer a variety of ideas for how you can dispose of your mattress in a way that is beneficial for both people and planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can truck & RV mattresses be recycled?

Can I take my truck or RV mattress to my local recycling center?

Yes! However, you may want to call ahead to confirm that they do accept mattresses and if there is a recycling fee, as each location differs. In addition to your local recycling center, you can also search for companies which recycle mattresses. These companies may have smaller fees, be located closer to you, or offer pickup services.

Will my trash company haul away my old truck or RV mattress?

In general, no. Mattresses are supposed to be recycled, and for reasons of size and weight, most trash companies will not take mattresses unless they are put out on a specific day for bulk pickup. Another option to get rid of an old truck or RV mattress is to donate it if it is still usable. We always recommend recycling or donating your mattress.