Stop Illegal Dumping
Help #StopIllegalDumping!
Leaving a mattress on the street, abandoning it in an alley or setting it next to a dumpster is not only creating an eyesore, but illegal too. You may even have good intentions and put a “For Free” sign on it. However, you are still not responsibly getting rid of your mattress.
Illegal dumping adversely affects a community. In addition to causing harm to the environment, there are health and safety concerns, negative impacts to property values and added costs to taxpayers for clean-ups.
Many communities also impose penalties to discourage this behavior. Consequences may include large fines, vehicle seizure and incarceration.
… Speak Up to #StopIllegalDumping!
Lesson Plan
play
Illegal Dumping Sandman PSA English
play
Prohibido Arrojar Basura de Forma Ilegal PSA ESPAÑOL
Educate your family and friends
Help those you know do the right thing, too.
In California, Connecticut and Rhode Island mattress recycling is easy. Share our public service announcement to encourage using ByeByeMattress.com to find a local option.
To help youth and teens understand why recycling is important and how waste impacts the environment, check out these lesson plan activities. Great for teachers, afterschool programs, youth groups, scouting organizations and more!
Talk to local leaders
We worked with York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change to author a white paper suggesting potential strategies to prevent and deter this behavior. Share “Best Practices in Addressing Illegal Dumping of Durable Waste” with local elected officials that may be exploring how to create or strengthen enforcement or take proactive steps to address this issue.
… Other ways to help your community.
Report Illegal Dumping
If you witness illegal dumping, write down the license plate and vehicle information and immediately call the local authorities to file a report. In some cases, there may even be a reward!
… How do you get rid of an old mattress?
Ask Your retailer
If you’re planning to buy a new mattress and have it delivered, ask your retailer about taking back your old one.
In California, it’s required by law that retailers offer to take your old one back at no additional cost. Learn more about this here.
In California, Connecticut and Rhode Island, our program works with many retailers to recycle old mattresses collected from customers.
Choose junk haulers wisely
When working with a junk hauler to remove unwanted items, confirm they are licensed and insured. Also consider requesting proof – like a receipt – that your items were handled appropriately.
Ask your residential waste collector about curbside pick-up
Your city or solid waste provider may have a specific process in place for disposing of bulky items at curbside. If you aren’t following the policy, it could be considered illegal dumping. Contact your solid waste provider or local government for details.
Don’t dump it – Recycle it instead
There are mattress recycling facilities across the country and in California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island our program provides residents free drop-off at recycling facilities, collection sites, and events. Find your nearest location here.
Businesses in these states looking to recycle a small or large amount of mattresses also have no-cost options. Learn more about the Commercial Volume Program.