How to Recycle Almost Everything

The California Association for Recycling is announcing a new project called REM: Recycle Every Mattress.
 
18 million mattresses are disposed of annually in the United States, 200 million worldwide. According to Chemical and Engineering News, less than 10% of mattresses are recycled in the United States. This means that one million tons of mattresses are dumped in landfills leaching chemicals and plastic particles into the environment.

When most people think about microplastics, they imagine polluted oceans or plastic water bottles breaking down in the sun. But what many don’t realize is that microplastics are also in our clothes, food and even bedrooms, inside the very mattresses we and our children sleep on every night.
 
As a parent, you want the best for your children. When you lay your baby in their crib or tuck your child into bed, you need to know they are safe. From ensuring the safety of their car seat, to making sure the food they eat and the clothes they wear are of the best quality, we know that providing your child trustworthy products is critical.
Unfortunately, for the conscious parent, there are hidden chemicals lurking in several consumer products, which not only post a threat to their health, but their overall development. Phthalates (pronounced “THAL-ates” or \ ˈtha-ˌlāts) are chemical compounds used by manufacturers to improve the strength and flexibility of their plastics. Sadly, phthalates are considered “everywhere” chemicals because they are so prevalent in consumer goods. In fact, these chemicals are so common that they are found in products like toys, vinyl flooring, wall covering, detergents, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, like aftershave lotions, soaps, and even shampoo. And yes, child size mattresses.
Why are Phthalates Bad?
If these chemicals are so prevalent, a concerned parent might wonder: why are phthalates bad? Sadly, the risks phthalates pose to children can be significant. Studies conducted by Project TENDR (Targeting Environmental Neuro-Development Risks), a volunteer group of scientists, health professionals and child advocates, noted that phthalates increased a child’s risk of attention, learning, and behavioral disorders. In fact, the recently issued report revealed “the strongest associations have been found in childhood obesity, asthma, hyperactivity, emotional reactivity and other signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.” Sandee LaMotte, CNN
Babies are in the most critical stages of respiratory, neurological, reproductive, and immune system development. During this time, they spend 10-16 hours a day sleeping in their beds where their bodies are supposed to recover and detoxify. However, in many instances, babies are unable to safely rest as many crib mattresses use a waterproofing mechanism that includes phthalates. There is no need to look under the bed before you turn off the lights because the danger might still be lurking in the mattress. What is the ‘boogey man’ hiding inside your child’s mattress?
For most mattress manufacturers, the solution to waterproofing is to cover the mattress with vinyl. But you can’t make vinyl without plasticizers, and phthalates are the plasticizers of choice for soft and flexible vinyl. In fact, the phthalate content in a child size mattress is typically between 30-40% of the vinyl content. The single most prominent source of phthalates in your child’s environment is likely the mattress they are sleeping on. This is dangerous to your baby, as phthalates off-gas from the vinyl on the surface of the mattress directly into the air a baby breathes, posing a risk for infants.
But babies need to sleep comfortably, and that comfort is achieved with a soft, clean, dry mattress. So, parents do need baby mattresses that are waterproof and easy to wipe down in order to maintain safe hygiene for the baby. Without waterproofing your baby’s mattress, their urine, drool, spilled milk, or even vomit will contaminate the fabric and seep inside the mattress.
 
What Are Microplastics Doing in Mattresses?
Most conventional mattresses are made with synthetic foams, polyester blends, and chemical-based fabrics. Over time, these materials shed tiny plastic particles, microplastics, that can end up in the air we breathe and the dust that settles in our homes. Since we spend nearly one-third of our lives in bed, that’s a lot of exposure. We are literally laying in bed inhaling credit cards worth of plastic as we sleep. Think about the cloud of plastic particles we force into the air when we sink into our mattress.
 
Why Microplastics Are a Health Concern?
Microplastics aren’t just an environmental issue; they’re a health one. Research has shown that:
They can be inhaled during sleep as dust particles float in the air.
They accumulate in the body, with studies finding microplastics in human lungs, blood, and even placental tissue.
They carry toxins, including chemical additives used in plastics, which have been linked to inflammation, hormone disruption, and other long-term risks.
While science is still uncovering the full impact, one thing is clear: constant exposure in the place where your body is supposed to rest and recover isn’t ideal.
 
 
How to Reduce Microplastic Exposure
An Organic Mattress can make a big difference in the amount of microplastics you and your family are exposed to.
Unlike synthetic mattresses, organic mattresses are made from natural materials like organic cotton, wool, and latex. These materials don’t shed harmful plastics into your bedroom environment. Instead, they provide a clean, supportive, and breathable surface for restorative sleep.

Final Thoughts
Microplastics are everywhere, but your bed doesn’t have to be one of the sources. By choosing an organic mattress, you’re protecting your health, reducing environmental waste, and investing in better sleep.
Naturepedic, Saatva and Avocado manufacture organic mattresses and sleep accessible that are affordable, so you don’t have to choose between your health and your budget.
 
Some mattresses, especially memory foam mattresses or mattresses made of other synthetic materials, are full of petrochemicals, including harmful toxicants. Commonly found chemicals in non-organic mattresses are formaldehyde, benzene, and chemical flame retardants. These chemicals can off-gas, including during your sleep, your mattress can be a significant source of your toxic exposures. Naturepedic, Saatva and Avocado make excellent organic mattresses.  Children are particularly vulnerable to chemicals from nonorganic mattresses. You can also find Naturepedic mattresses in some Crate & Barrel locations, and select Pottery Barn Kids carry Naturepedic mattresses for children.  
 
On the following pages are places across the country where you can recycle your old mattress.
 
Mattress Recycling Centers
GMR NorCal
7150 Patterson Pass Rd., Suite G
Livermore
CA
94550
Alameda
925-294-9074
Xtraction Inc.
3688 E Central Ave., Suite #103
Fresno
CA
93725
Fresno
909-809-9607
Cristal Materials, Inc.
6825 McKinley Ave.
Los Angeles
CA
90001
Los Angeles
372-752-2738
R5 Recycling
739 N. Georgia Ave.
Azusa
CA
91702
Los Angeles
626-815-1880
MAT Recyclers – Rancho Cucamonga
9669 Hermosa Ave.
Rancho Cucamonga
CA
91730
San Bernardino
909-395-3220
MAT Recyclers – Stockton
3834 Duck Creek Dr.
Stockton
CA
95215
San Joaquin
909-395-3220
Cleaner Earth Company
504 S. Western Ave.
Santa Maria
CA
93458
Santa Barbara
805-704-1104
DR3 Recycling – Woodland
1233 Commerce Ave. – Suites C and D
Woodland
CA
95776
Yolo
530-708-2339
Urban Recycling LLC
3341 N. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs
CO
80907
El Paso
719-644-6493
Spring Back Recycling Colorado
4975 Pontiac St.
Commerce
CO
80022
Adams
720-515-1328
City of Loveland Recycling Center
400 N. Wilson Ave.
Loveland
CO
80537
Larimer
970-962-2529
Casella
185 Recycling Way
Windham
CT
 06280
Winham
860-423-4527
Delaware Green Mattress Disassembling & Recycling
Serving Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Northern Maryland
Wilmington
DE
19810
New Castle
 
Marpan Recycling
6020 Woodville Hwy.
Tallahassee
FL
32305
Leon
850-224-9353 x109
The Mustard Seed of Central Florida
12 Mustard Seed Blvd.
Orlando
FL
32810
Orange
407-875-2040
Kern Mattress Outlet
107 Caroline St,
Bloomington
IL
61701
Will
309-452-7477
Green Spring Recycling
13611 Thornton Rd.
Blue Island
IL
60406
Cook
708-653-0414
CPS Recycling
Serving multiple states
Multiple
IL, GA, TX, AZ, NJ
0
Multiple
708-207-6338
Avenue of Life
500 N 7th Street Trfy.
Kansas City
KS
64128
Jackson
816-787-6101
Hutchinson Correctional Facility
500 S. Reformatory Rd.
Hutchinson
KS
67501
Reno
620-728-3307
Dream Green Recycling
15 Print Works Dr.
Adams
MA
01220
Berkshire
413-776-7232
HandUp Mattress Recycling & Upcycling
127 W. Rodney French Blvd.
New Bedford
MA
02744
Bristol
617-378-7619
Green Mattress Co. – North Andover
By Appointment Only
North Andover
MA
01845
Essex
508-488-6867
UTEC Mattress Recycling
250 Canal St.
Lawrence
MA
01840
Essex
978-856-3997
Conigliaro Industries
36 Fountain St.
Framingham
MA
01702
Middlesex
508-872-9668
Green Mattress Co. – Brockton
144 Field St.
Brockton
MA
02302
Plymouth
508-488-6867
Raw Material Recovery Recycling
461 West Broadway
Gardner
MA
01440
Worcester
978-730-8266
Superior Waste & Recycling
2 Kansas St.
Worcester
MA
01610
Worcester
508-797-4848
Tough Stuff Recycling Facility
145 Authority Dr.
Fitchburg
MA
1420
Worcester
978-307-4118
Deco Solutions
6508 Windsor Mill Rd.
Gwynn Oak
MD
21207
Baltimore
 
TurboHaul
6201 Robinwood Rd.
Baltimore
MD
21225
Baltimore
1-888-887-2642
Bay Area Recycling for Charities
466 US 31 South
Traverse City
MI
49685
Grand Traverse
231-632-2272
Bay Area Recycling for Charities
14407 Industrial Dr.
Kaleva
MI
49645
Manistee
231-492-6138
Green Lights Recycling, Inc.
10040 Davenport St. NE
Blaine
MN
55449
Anoka
763-785-0456
Second Chance Recycling
1179 15th Avenue SE
Minneapolis
MN
55414
Hennepin
612-332-0664
Lyon County Minnesota
504 Fairgrounds Rd.
Marshall
MN
56258
Lyon
507-532-8210
Lone Pine Avenue Recycling Center
3020 S. Lone Pine Ave.
Springfield
MO
65804
Greene
417-864-1904
Franklin Avenue Recycling Center
731 N. Franklin Rd.
Springfield
MO
65802
Greene
417-864-1904
Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill
3545 W. Farm Rd 34
Willard
MO
65781
Greene
417-742-3536
Bedex
210 Swathmore Dr.
High Point
NC
27263
Guildford
336-885-4646
Buffalo Recycling Facility – Casella
3755 River Rd.
Tonawanda
NY
14150
Erie
716-553-5512
Renewable Recycling Inc.
3001 C New St.
Oceanside
NY
11572
Nassau
516-612-0565
Klamath Works
2350 Maywood Dr.
Klamath Falls
OR
97603
Klamath
541-887-8495
St. Vincent de Paul
2980 Chad Rd.
Eugene
OR
97408
Lane
541-687-5820
Environmentally Conscious Recycling
12409 NE San Rafael St.
Portland
OR
97230
Multnomah
503-253-0867
Ace Mattress Recycling
1950 South County Trail
East Greenwich
RI
2818
Kent
401-615-9619
Tough Stuff Recycling
345 Walcott St.
Pawtucket
RI
2860
Providence
978-307-4118
Nine Lives Mattress Recycling
837 N. Pamplico Hwy.
Pamplico
SC
29583
Florence
843-916-9753
AGRAT2 LLC
3511 W Teem Dr.
Sioux Falls
SD
57107
Minnehaha
605-212-3476
Spring Back Recycling Tennessee
See website for details. Drop-off and pick-up options available.
Nashville
TN
37207
Davidson and Williamson
615-668-5800
Mattress B Gone
Provides residential pick-up services and commercial services throughout Houston and the greater area
Houston
TX
77080
Harris
713-401-2895
The Houston Furniture Bank
8220 Mosley Rd.
Houston
TX
77075
Harris
713-842-9771
Texas Recycle Warehouse
1942 S I-35 Frontage Rd
San Marcos
TX
78666
Hays
512 938–9942
ExMattress
1915 Kramer Ln.
Austin
TX
78758
Travis
512-537-9270
Duke’s Junk Recycling
1602 Bench Mark Dr.
Austin
TX
78757
Travis
512-520-7495
Spring Back Utah
1929 South 4130 West, Suite D
Salt Lake City
UT
84104
Salt Lake
385-229-4804
CVWMA
2100 W. Laburnum Ave., Suite 105
Richmond
VA
23227
N/A
804-340-0900
Van Der Linde
73 Hunters Branch Rd.
Troy
VA
22974
Fluvanna
434-589-1948
Sleep Well Recycling
525 Riverside Ave.
Burlinton
VT
5401
Chittenden
802-222 6996
Arlington Recycle Warehouse
11410 Beverly Park Rd.
Everett
WA
98223
Snohomish
425-931-3670
7 Rivers Recycling
W6833 Industrial Blvd.
Onalaska
WI
54650
La Crosse
608-783-6727 x103
Rock Springs Landfill
50 County Rd. 64
Rock Springs
WY
82901
Sweetwater
307-352-6869
 

Boats-Surrendered Vessel Program (SAVE)

California offers a free, legal way for recreational boat owners to dispose of unwanted vessels through the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE)program.

Boatremovers.com in San Diego

Boatremover.com

If the boat is still seaworthy and in decent condition, you can donate it to a charity like the BoatUS Foundation or Goodwill for a potential tax deduction

Boatforveterans.org

Furniture—donate to Amvets (small furniture).

You can donate a large couch and other large furniture to several charities and organizations, many of which offer free pickup, including Habitat for Humanity ReStore, The Salvation Army, Furniture Banks, Goodwill, Pickup Please (Vietnam Veterans of America), and GreenDrop. Ensure the couch is in good, clean condition (no rips, stains, or pet hair) as these organizations generally do not accept heavily damaged furniture.