This is for you if you’re looking for sustainable ways to dispose of your old mattress protector. This list of ways is both fun and responsible!
Especially if it’s just going to be lying around the house unused and taking up space.
We’ll reduce land pollution by taking you through ways where you don’t throw it in a rubbish dump. And, let’s face it, you don’t want the protector lying around the house unused and taking up space.
Why throw it away when you can reuse and upcycle it? Possibly benefiting those who need it most.
Read on to learn tips on how you can properly dispose of your old mattress protector by either recycling or reusing it!
Ways to Properly Dispose of a Mattress Protector
There are numerous ways to dispose of a mattress protector properly. Still, we will divide it for simplicity:
- Recycling
- Reusing (or upcycling).
Recycling and reusing, rather than throwing away, is essential. The mattress industry is a significant polluter of land, air, and especially water, with the textile industry generating 20% of the world’s water pollution in the form of microplastics.
Who wouldn’t want to help others and help the environment all at the same time?
3 Ways To Recycle a Mattress Protector
There are numerous ways to recycle a mattress protector. Let’s cover them below:
1. Giving It to a Friend or Acquaintance That Needs It
If you think a friend or an acquaintance needs your old mattress protector, you can call them. This method is the quickest way to dispose of your old mattress protector, and all you need is to ask them if they need it and arrange collection/delivery!
Plus, it’s great to help a friend in need, isn’t it?
2. Dropping It Off to Recycling Centres
Even though there are 7 million mattresses thrown out annually in the UK, only a handful of recycling facilities take them in.. You can search the web and type in keywords for tonnes of results, such as:
- “recycling centres uk”
- “recycling uk”
When it comes to recycling centres accepting mattress protectors, you’ll find that Furniture Recycling Project, Furniture Re-Use Network, and your local recycling centres are great options. Just make sure to call them beforehand to confirm if they accept mattress protectors.
For specialized organisations, The Furniture Recycling Group and Collecteco are worth checking out.
3. Giving It to Homeless Centres and Charity Organizations
Another method is to give it to homeless shelters and charity organisations. Although mattress protectors are not as comfy as a mattress or a mattress topper, they can improve their bedding and use it to enhance their sleeping situation.
Finding a homeless centre or charity organisation is just a click away. Just surf the internet to find the nearest on to your home using terms like:
- “homeless centres uk”
- “homeless shelters uk”
- “Homeless shelters near me”
You can also go to Salvation Army. It’s a well-known global charity organisation that accepts mattresses, mattress toppers, mattress pads, and mattress protectors.
Key Mattress Protector Recycling Insights:
- Before you donate or repurpose your mattress protector, washing it according to the manufacturer’s instructions is a must. Usually, this involves machine washing on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low heat. Always follow the specific care instructions to ensure proper cleaning and avoid any damage.
- During the recycling process, mattress protectors are separated into different materials like fabric, foam, and metal (in the case of zippers). These materials are then processed separately. For instance, fabric and foam are shredded and turned into insulation or padding, while metals are melted down and repurposed. The main challenges in recycling mattress protectors include separating various materials and finding facilities that accept them.
- To figure out if your mattress protector is made of natural or synthetic materials, check the label for information on the fabric and filling. Certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 can help you identify eco-friendly and safe materials.
4 Ways To Repurpose a Mattress Protector
Repurposing a mattress protector requires a bit of DIY and sewing knowledge since you’ll be creating useful stuff from your mattress protector. Here are some ideas for repurposing your protector:
1. Make a DIY Bag
You can make a DIY handbag with your old mattress protector by cutting up numerous pieces and stitching them together using a sewing machine.
A mattress protector is stain-resistant, and most mattress protectors are water-resistant. Both are excellent qualities for a bag since you don’t have to clean it very often.
To decorate your DIY bag, you can buy patches or ribbons and stick them up to the bag to your liking.
However, making a DIY bag requires sewing knowledge, and if you think sewing is not for you, you can go to the next one as it’s easier.
2. Make a DIY Pet Bed
An old mattress protector is a good material when creating a DIY pet bed. Pet beds need to be stain and water-resistant. Lucky most mattress protectors are precisely that.
To make a DIY pet bed, you have two options:
- Sewing
- Use adhesives to stack up layer after layer of the mattress protector.
If you know how to sew, just cut up several layers of the mattress protector and sew them together to form the cushion part of the bed.
Suppose you don’t know how to sew. In that case, you’ll need to cut up several layers of the mattress protector and bond them together using a strong adhesive such as super glue.
3. Make a DIY Curtain
If you don’t have a sheer curtain inside your house, why not make one from your old mattress protector?
Curtains are dust magnets. A mattress protector’s smooth texture will reduce dust accumulating in its layers.
If your old mattress protector is hypoallergenic, it helps prevent the accumulation of dust, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens—a good product for asthma or allergies.
4. Make a DIY Kitchen Apron
If you’re a certified foodie, you can use your old mattress protector to make a DIY kitchen apron.
As we mentioned a few times, a mattress protector’s stain and liquid resistance are also great qualities for a kitchen apron. Accidental spills and splashes are guaranteed in the kitchen.
To make a DIY kitchen apron, you need sewing knowledge. If you don’t know how to sew and want a kitchen apron made from an old mattress protector, you can ask someone to sew it for you.
If you’re looking for more creative or sustainable uses for an old mattress protector, consider making garden kneeling pads, floor cushions, draft stoppers, or stuffing for pillows and toys. They can also serve as protective covers for outdoor furniture or equipment.
Can You Throw Mattress Protectors In the Rubbish Dump?
Yes, you throw your mattress protector in a rubbish dump. However, they have a very long decomposition cycle, so recycling or repurposing them is better.
The issue is, should you do it? Mattress protectors should not be thrown into the rubbish dump since they take up space in the sites and don’t decompose.
It may be a different case for cotton mattress protectors and other natural ones. If you have a foam-based mattress protector, try giving it to a homeless shelter instead of throwing it away.
One of the reasons is that non-biodegradable items take up space in landfills and make mountainous heights of trash and junk that pollute land and the surrounding water around it. Not a good thing, isn’t it?
It also makes it harder for sanitation workers to sort out the rubbish when bulky items like mattress protectors are thrown in the rubbish dump.
Which Type of Mattress Protectors Are Recyclable/Reusable?
All types of mattress protectors are either recyclable or reusable. Mattress protectors with natural materials are often recyclable, while foam-based protectors are often reusable. Some varieties can be both recycled and reused.
For example, a cotton mattress protector is both recyclable and reusable since cotton is a renewable material from cotton trees.
Nonetheless, a mattress protector is a mattress protector, no matter how old. And you can choose whether to reuse or recycle—two good things to do when you care about the environment and the people around it.
