Mattress Recycling in Australia

Australians send well over a million mattresses to landfill every year, and they're one of the worst items you can dump. A mattress is bulky, slow to break down, and springs can foul heavy machinery at landfill sites. The upside is that around three-quarters of a mattress — the steel springs, foam, timber, and fibre — can be recovered and recycled. With retailer take-back, council hard rubbish, and dedicated recyclers, there are several good options for getting rid of an old mattress the right way.

Why mattresses shouldn't go to landfill

A single mattress can take decades to decompose. The steel innerspring is highly recyclable but tangles in compactors; the polyurethane foam takes up huge amounts of airspace; and illegally dumped mattresses are a common eyesore that costs councils millions to clean up. Because so much of a mattress is recoverable, recycling is almost always both possible and worthwhile.

Council hard rubbish collection

Most Australian councils offer a hard rubbish (also called kerbside bulky waste) collection. Depending on the council this is either scheduled once or twice a year or booked on demand. Many councils will accept mattresses and send them to a recycler rather than landfill — but this isn't universal, so check your council's booking page.

• Book or confirm your collection date through your council website
• Check whether mattresses are accepted and if there's a limit on quantity
• Keep the mattress dry — a wet, mouldy mattress often can't be recycled
• Place it out only during the allowed window to avoid fines

Retailer take-back when you buy new

When you buy a new mattress, many retailers will remove and recycle your old one — often for a small fee. This is one of the easiest options because collection is arranged with delivery.

• Koala — offers an old-mattress removal and recycling service with new purchases in many delivery areas.
• Sleeping Duck — provides old-mattress collection and recycling as an add-on with delivery.
• Many traditional retailers (such as bedding chains) also offer take-away of your old mattress on delivery — ask at the point of sale.

Always confirm that the retailer actually recycles the old mattress rather than sending it to landfill, and check whether your postcode is serviced.

Soft Landing and charity recyclers

Soft Landing is a social enterprise that recycles mattresses across parts of NSW, Victoria, WA, and beyond, while also creating jobs for people facing barriers to employment. Mattresses are dismantled by hand and the steel, foam, and timber are sent for reprocessing.

Some councils partner with Soft Landing directly, and there are drop-off points and collection services in many regions. Other commercial mattress recyclers operate in most capital cities and charge a per-mattress fee. Search for a mattress recycler in your state and confirm pricing before dropping off.

Can I donate my old mattress?

Usually not. For hygiene and safety reasons, most Australian charities (including major op shops) will not accept used mattresses, as they must meet fire-safety and cleanliness standards to be resold. If your mattress is genuinely near-new and clean, phone the charity first — but expect most to decline. Recycling is the realistic path for a used mattress.

Common mistakes

• Dumping a mattress on the kerb without booking. Illegal dumping attracts significant council fines and the mattress may not be collected.
• Letting it get wet before pickup. Water-damaged and mouldy mattresses often can't be recycled and are refused by recyclers.
• Assuming an op shop will take it. Most charities can't accept used mattresses at all.
• Trying to squash it into the general waste bin. Mattresses are bulky waste, not kerbside bin waste.
• Not checking the retailer actually recycles. Some "removal" services simply landfill the old mattress — ask directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much does mattress recycling cost?

It varies by state and provider. Some council hard rubbish collections are free, while dedicated recyclers and retailer take-back services typically charge a modest per-mattress fee to cover manual dismantling and transport.

What parts of a mattress get recycled?

The steel springs are melted down as scrap metal, the foam is often reprocessed into carpet underlay, the timber frame is chipped, and the fibre and felt can be reused. In a well-run recycler, the large majority of a mattress is diverted from landfill.

Can I recycle a mattress base or ensemble?

Yes — bed bases and ensembles contain timber, steel, and fabric that recyclers can process, though some charge a separate fee for bases. Check with the recycler or your council when booking.

Does Koala or Sleeping Duck take back any old mattress?

Their removal services are generally tied to a new purchase and offered in serviced delivery areas. Confirm availability for your postcode and any fee when placing your order.

Is Soft Landing available everywhere?

No — Soft Landing operates in specific regions across several states. Check its website or ask your council whether a Soft Landing drop-off or collection point is available near you; otherwise a commercial recycler is the alternative.