How to Dispose of a Mattress in a Skip: Essential Guide
To dispose of a mattress in a skip, you’ll need a 6-yard skip for a single mattress and either an 8-yard or 10-yard skip for double-sized or multiple mattresses. The cost of hiring a skip to dispose of mattresses typically ranges from £187 to £283, varying by location.
Do you want to get rid of an old mattress and are thinking of hiring a skip to handle the disposal? Let us tell you why it is a bad idea.
From learning why mattresses are often not allowed in standard skips to the best alternatives available to you in Kent and neighbouring areas – Here’s all you need to know before disposing of a mattress in a Skip
Key Reasons Mattresses Are Not Allowed in Standard Skips
1. Additional Costs for Mattress Disposal
- Mattresses are bulky, inefficient, and take up too much space.
- Recycling a mattress is a complex process, as waste facilities separate component parts like cotton, polyester, and other fabrics before shredding them.
- Due to this complexity, waste facilities charge higher fees for handling the mattress.
- This additional cost is passed on to the skip hire company, which then charges you extra to handle the disposal of bulky waste items.
- To cut down on these extra expenses and avoid such a complex process, skip hire companies often have a blanket rule that mattresses are not allowed in standard skips.
2. Environmental Impact of Mattress Disposal
- Mattresses contribute significantly to landfill waste due to their component parts, such as foam, fabric, and metal springs.
- These synthetic materials do not compress or decompose easily.
- Improper mattress disposal can have far-reaching consequences, as mattresses may contain various harmful chemicals.
- In the UK, there are stringent regulations regarding waste disposal, and numerous councils are actively working to reduce landfill waste.
- Skip hire companies aim to recycle as much collected waste as possible and reduce pollution.
- Mattress disposal is a complicated process that requires specialized handling to ensure they don’t end up in a landfill.
Prohibited Items in Skips
Skip hire companies cannot accommodate items that are categorized as hazardous waste due to the potential harm it can cause to the environment and human health.
Here are the items you should not place in a skip.
1. Electrical Items
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Televisions and computer monitors
- Washing machines and dryers
- Microwaves and ovens
2. Other hazardous waste that is not allowed in Skips:
- Asbestos, batteries, and chemicals as they cause environmental concerns and often cause harm to human health.
- Clinical Waste: This kind of waste poses health risks and needs to be treated separately.
- Explosives: Gas cylinders, oil, fuel, and other toxic substances can explode during the disposing process. They can also cause pollution and harm wildlife.
Alternative Methods for Mattress Disposal
While putting a mattress on Skip might not be the best way to dispose of it, thankfully, there are several alternative methods to do the job.
1. Local Recycling Centres
The best way to dispose of old mattresses is to recycle them. There are many mattress recycling centres in the UK to help you with bulky waste items.
These centres have all the required facilities to recycle component parts of a mattress, making it an eco-friendly disposal.
If you need more information about disposing of mattresses, you can contact Skip Hire Team and the experts will advise you on what you should do.
2. Donate Your Mattress
You can always donate your mattress if it is in good condition. There are several charities that accept mattresses but they need to meet the fire safety standards first.
It is one of the most sustainable ways to dispose of mattresses. Rather than being shredded into pieces, the mattress will go to someone in need.
3. Retailer Take-Back Schemes
Many retailers offer take-back schemes if you buy a new mattress. It means they will collect and recycle your old mattress for a smaller charge, making it a little less hectic for you by saving time and effort.
4. Council and Private Waste Collection Services
Many local councils and private waste removal companies across the UK offer a bulky waste collection service including mattresses.
All you have to do is contact your local council and they will pick up your mattress directly from your home. If you need the mattress removed quickly, private services even provide same-day collection at some extra charge.
Conclusion
Now, you know why disposing of a mattress by hiring a Skip is not the most sustainable idea. However, if you still wish to use Skip Hire Team for mattress disposal services, choosing the right size skip is important.
- 6 Yard Skip: Dimensions – 10ft (L) x 5ft (W) x 4ft (H). It can accommodate a single mattress along with some additional waste like bedding or minor household items.
- 8 Yard Skip: Dimensions – 12ft (L) x 6ft (W) x 4.5ft (H). If you want to dispose of multiple mattresses or larger ones (like king-size), consider an 8-yard skip or even a 10-yard skip [12ft (L) x 6ft (W) x 5.5ft (H)].
Looking for a skip hire near you? We offer the cheapest skip hire services across multiple locations: Kent, Birmingham, London, Dartford, and more.
For further assistance or product inquiries, call us at 08002605989 to speak with the support team.
