Quite new or still as good as new?
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Sell it.
Though you may no longer have a need for the mattress, there will be someone out there willing to get a good price on a quality one so why not sell it or gift it to someone else? So long as your mattress is clean, unsoiled, and structurally sound, you can use platforms such as TradeMe or Facebook marketplace to list it. Just follow these tips:
- Clean and sanitise the mattress
- Take high-quality photos that accurately represent the mattress’ condition
- Give a clear and honest description
- Set a fair price
(please note that once there is a change of ownership on the mattress, the warranty becomes null and void)
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Donate it
Donate it to one of your local non-profit organisations. Though they may be a bit stricter on the condition of the mattress so before you contact them, you want to make sure it’s in good condition. This means no:
- Stains
- Mould
- Infestations
- Odours
- Torn/worn-out fabric
- Noisy or broken springs
- Structural issues
- Lumps or indentations
If you wouldn’t sleep on it, it most likely won’t be accepted by any charities. Also, make sure you call ahead as they might not currently need or have any room for a mattress. Below are some organisations you can ask:
- https://habitat.org.nz/restore/ (May be a pick-up fee)
- https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/help-us/family-stores (currently doing free pickup for areas they cover)
- https://www.redcross.org.nz/shop-with-us/donate-goods-to-our-shops/ (free pickup in certain areas)
- Also, check out some local charities or op-shops
Mattress gotten a bit old?
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Recycle it
Almost 300,000 mattresses are sent to New Zealand landfills each year. It ends up being a huge waste because mattresses can be dismantled into raw materials such as steel, foam, plastic, and fabric which can either be recycled or reused to reduce waste.
If you live in Auckland, the Auckland council has helped fund the establishment of a mattress recycling scheme through the Waste Minimization Innovation Fund (WMIF). This allows anyone to drop off their mattress at any Auckland Council Resource Recovery Centre free of charge. Find the link to your closest station here: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/Pages/recycle-item.aspx?ListItemId=290
If you live in other NZ cities you will need to find a rubbish collection service that can also recycle. A good example is Bin Buddy, who can donate, and recycle for you, all you have to do is book the service and pay a collection fee.
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Repurpose it
Who says you had to give your mattress away? You can easily repurpose the mattress to improve your own home. If the mattress is still usable you could place it in the spare room or leave it aside for your kid's friends to use during sleepovers. You can also dismantle the mattress and use its materials to be creative. You could use the foam stuffing to fill a homemade boxing bag, use the springs to make a DIY wine rack, or use the fabric in some sewing projects. Let your imagination run wild!
