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HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR OLD MATTRESS
Mattresses usually last 8-10 years before they need to be replaced. Mattresses are one of the most difficult consumer products to get rid of responsibly. Maybe this is one of the main reasons that they end up on the Curb. But have you ever thought what happens to the old mattress when you leave it on the curb? The size and construction of the mattress create a major problem for the authorities.
"300,000 mattresses are sent to landfill every year in New Zealand – if stacked this pile of unwanted mattresses would reach to the edge of space! This 8100 tonnes of waste cost $14.5 million to landfill every year", says 3R Group Chief Executive Adele Rose.
So what’s the best way to get rid of your old mattress? Here are some of the suggested ways to adios your old Mattress:
Sell it:
If your Mattress is not a home to bed bugs and has no major stains or rips. You can consider to sell it for a nominal fee. Trademe or any other social media platform can help you reach potential buyers. This can be one of the most environmentally friendly options.
Donate the Mattress:
You can check with your local non-profits to see if they accept old mattresses or beds in a donation. Organizations like The Salvation Army & Red Cross have centers where you can drop your good quality old beds & Furniture that can be passed to people in need.
Consider Recycling:
If you're not able to sell or donate your mattress, then you should try to send your mattress to a recycling center. Both consumers and businesses can drop off old mattresses at these centers. Businesses can also arrange direct delivery to a local processing centre. The mattresses are dismantled into raw materials, such as steel, foam, plastic, and fabric which are either recycled or reused. The rebound mattress recycling program is a stewardship program designed to provide a simple and accessible solution enabling consumers to responsibly dispose of unwanted mattresses and bed bases.
Break It Yourself:
If you have the time, space, and tools, you can easily break a mattress or base yourself. Simply cut around the perimeter of the fabric covering and peel the cloth and foam away from the box springs and wooden frame. You can roll these materials into a compact bundle and put them in your regular trash can. Next, take a saw and cut up the frame you can then burn or turn it into wood chips. Take the box springs to a recycling center or sell them for scrap.
Re-Purposing:
An old mattress can be re-purposed which means putting it to another use. It requires creative imagination to come up with ideas on where to use the old mattress. In Australia, an enterprising group is taking the stuffing out of old mattresses, washing it, and then making punching bags using it as filling. Before you throw away your old mattress consider if you can find a new use for it.
With an estimated 300,000 mattresses and bases sent to landfill every year in New Zealand. That’s the equivalent of twenty-five 20-foot shipping containers filled with these units every single day the community needs to dispose of their old beds responsibly.
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Bowled over
Make stunning sets of trinket trays with a nod to the traditional craft of basket-making simply using clay and Resene shades of green.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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Ready to flex those brain muscles, Neighbours?
What kind of coat is best put on wet?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
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Poll: Is it rude to take a full trolley to self-checkout?
Luckily self-checkout is pretty common in supermarkets these days and we generally use it to quickly buy a few things without the long lines. But perhaps it's appropriate to head there with your full trolley to skip the lines?
What are your thoughts? Is that rude?
Share in the comments below if this has ever happened to you.
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53.6% Yes!
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43.7% Nah, it's okay
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2.7% Other - I'll share below!