How to Dispose of a Mattress in Toronto

Replacing your old mattress in Toronto? You may be wondering how to dispose of your old one correctly. Toronto, one of Canada's most populous cities, has several options for properly discarding mattresses. It is important to take accurate measures as dumping a mattress illegally not only hampers city cleanliness but also contributes to environmental issues. Below are step-by-step instructions for various options of getting rid of your old mattress in Toronto.

1. Schedule a Pick-Up with Toronto Garbage Collection

A frequently chosen option for mattress disposal in Toronto is to make use of the city's Municipal Garbage Collection Service. This service caters to bulk and oversized items, including mattresses. Here's how to use this option:

• Wrap your mattress in a plastic mattress bag. This prevents the mattress from becoming infested with bedbugs during transportation. These bags can be found at any home-improvement store.
• Set the mattress out on the curb before 7 A.M. on your designated garbage collection day. Make sure not to put it out more than one evening before your collection day to avoid penalties.
• If you have more than two mattresses, then additional fees will apply. Contact 311 Toronto to make arrangements.

2. Donate Your Old Mattress

If your mattress is in reasonably good condition, consider donating it. There are several charitable organizations that accept used mattresses and provide them to those in need. Here's what you need to do:

• Clean your mattress thoroughly. After cleaning, inspect the mattress to ensure it is suitable for donation.
• Reach out to furniture banks or shelters in Toronto such as The Furniture Bank, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity. Verify their acceptance criteria and schedule a dropoff or pickup.
• Obtain a receipt for your donation as it could be used for tax deductions.

3. Sell or Give Away Your Mattress Online

If your mattress is in good shape and relatively new, you may be able to sell or give it away. You can list your mattress on online marketplaces such as Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Freecycle. Ensure you include high-quality photos and a detailed description of its condition.

4. Responsibly Recycle Your Mattress

Recycling your mattress is a responsible way to dispose of it and contribute to Toronto's sustainability goals. Blue Bin Recycling Program does not accept mattresses, but services like JustJunk and Canadian Mattress Recycling do. They ensure the materials are dismantled, reprocessed, and recycled.

5. Hire a Professional Mattress Removal Service

If you don’t have the time or means to handle mattress disposal yourself, consider hiring professional removal services. Companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Junk It, and Junk Works offer mattress removal services in Toronto, ensuring that your mattress is disposed of correctly and responsibly.

Conclusion

Disposing of a mattress in Toronto should not contribute to landfill waste or environmental degradation. By following these methods for mattress disposal, you can arrange to have your mattress picked up by the city garbage service, donate it for a good cause, recycle it, or hire professional removal services. Each of these options not only helps clear space in your home but also contributes to maintaining Toronto's cleanliness and sustainability.