How to Say Goodbye to Your Old Mattress the Right Way

Bulky Item Disposal: How to Say Goodbye to Your Old Mattress the Right Way

Is your old mattress taking up valuable space in your home? If you’ve been wondering what to do with it, you’re not alone. In fact, mattresses are one of the most common bulky items that end up cluttering our homes, and finding a responsible way to dispose of them can be tricky.

Every year, a staggering 1.8 million mattresses are discarded across Australia, stretching all the way from Darwin to the tip of Tasmania when laid end-to-end. Of these, 740,000 mattresses end up in landfills, taking up valuable space and contributing significantly to environmental pollution.

But don't worry — Sydney offers excellent recycling solutions to ensure your mattress doesn’t end up in a landfill.


In this guide, we’ll show you how to get rid of your old mattress while also being eco-friendly. Whether it’s through Soft Landing, your local council, or another recycling option, you’ll learn the best ways to recycle your mattress and contribute to a greener Sydney.

What is Mattress Recycling?

Mattress recycling is the process of breaking down old mattresses to reuse the materials inside, such as foam, fabric, steel, and wood. This helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and recycles valuable materials, which can be repurposed into new products or used in other industries. For instance, foam can be turned into insulation, steel can be melted down and reused, and fabric can be processed for various applications.

Soft Landing: Leading the Way in Mattress Recycling

Soft Landing is a national social enterprise that collects and recycles mattresses to keep waste out of landfills and create jobs for people experiencing barriers to work. They operate in NSW, Victoria, WA and the ACT across five sites. Founded in 2009, Soft Landing offers a responsible, sustainable way to dispose of old mattresses. Their mission is simple: divert as many mattresses as possible from landfills and recycle their components into new products, reducing environmental impact.

Soft Landing operates facilities where mattresses are carefully dismantled, and each component is separated for recycling. Foam, fabric, metal springs, and wood are all processed and reused in various industries. For example, metal springs are sent to recycling plants, foam is repurposed for use in building insulation, and wood can be turned into new furniture or products. The ultimate goal is to close the loop on mattress waste by ensuring that as much material as possible is repurposed.

A Decade of Partnership: Sleepmart and Soft Landing

For the past ten years, Sleepmart has been delivering used mattresses to Soft Landing, providing customers with a responsible disposal option while supporting a local business committed to sustainability. 


How to Order Mattress Disposal or Recycling in Sydney

If you're in Sydney and need to dispose of an old mattress, there are several options available to ensure it’s recycled responsibly. Here’s a quick guide on how to order mattress disposal or recycling services:

  1. Book a Collection with Soft Landing

Soft Landing offers a convenient mattress recycling service across Sydney. You can book a collection of your old mattress either online or by contacting their customer service team. Soft Landing offers both individual and bulk collection services, making it a great option for residents and businesses alike.

  • How to Book: Visit Soft Landing’s website or call their team to schedule a pickup.
  • What Happens Next: Soft Landing will collect your mattress and take it to their facility, where it will be dismantled and its components recycled.
  1. Utilise Local Council Collection Services

Many councils in Sydney provide free or low-cost bulk waste collection services, including mattress disposal. This is an easy and responsible way to get rid of an old mattress without having to arrange private collection.

  • How to Book: Check your local council’s website for information on booking a bulk waste collection. Some councils allow you to book collections online.
  • What Happens Next: Once your mattress is collected, it will be taken for disposal, and some councils may partner with Soft Landing or other recyclers to ensure mattresses are properly recycled.
  1. Drop Off at a Designated Recycling Centre

If you prefer to drop off your mattress yourself, Soft Landing has designated drop-off locations around Sydney. This option allows you to take your old mattress directly to the recycling facility.

  • How to Drop Off: Check Soft Landing’s website to find the nearest drop-off point.
  • What Happens Next: After dropping off your mattress, Soft Landing will take care of the recycling process, ensuring its materials are reused.


    Say 'Hello' to a new bed at Sleepmart

    When receiving a new mattress from Sleepmart, please let us know in advance if you need us to collect your old mattress. We can drop it off at Soft Landing for recycling, for a small fee. This simple step ensures that your old mattress is recycled responsibly, contributing to a greener, more sustainable Sydney.



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