Behind the Scenes:
Loading a Lorry with Mattresses Ready for Recycling
Our latest video gives you a behind the scenes look at one of the many loads of mattresses we prepare for recycling every week.
At our family-run waste transfer station, we receive almost 100 mattresses every day from households, businesses and the local community. Rather than sending these bulky items to landfill wherever possible, we work hard to ensure they are sent on for specialist recycling, where the valuable materials can be recovered and given a new life.
Skip Hire Enquiry
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
RORO Hire Enquiry
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
Grab Hire Enquiry
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
Waste Disposal Enquiry
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
Collection Enquiry
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
Wheelie Bin Hire
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
Van Collection Service
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
General Enquiry
Need help?
Call us on 01268 520166
Mattress Project
What Happens to a Mattress After We Collect It?
Many people don’t realise just how much work goes into recycling a mattress.
Once the mattresses leave our transfer station, they are taken to a specialist recycling facility where they are carefully dismantled. The different materials are separated so they can each be recycled appropriately.
These materials typically include:
Steel springs, which are removed and melted down to make new steel products.
Foam, which can be processed and reused in products such as carpet underlay, insulation and cushioning.
Fabrics and fibres, which can be recycled into insulation, animal bedding and other recycled textile products.
By separating each material, a significant proportion of every mattress can be recovered and reused, helping to reduce landfill and conserve valuable natural resources.
Mattress Project
Not All Mattresses Are Recycled the Same Way
Many customers have heard of the POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) regulations that apply to some waste mattresses.
It’s important to know that spring mattresses are not part of the POPs scheme because they contain metal springs and require a different recycling process. These mattresses are sent through specialist recycling routes where the steel and other materials can be recovered safely and efficiently.
Unfortunately, some skip hire companies add additional charges when customers place spring mattresses in a skip because of the extra handling involved.
We’re proud to be one of the very few skip hire companies that does not charge extra for spring mattresses placed in our skips. We believe responsible recycling should be straightforward, fair and accessible for everyone.
Mattress Project
Committed to Responsible Waste Management
As a family run business, we’re committed to keeping as much waste out of landfill as possible. Mattress recycling is just one example of how we’re investing in more sustainable waste management and working with specialist recycling partners to recover valuable materials.
Every mattress we process is another step towards reducing waste and protecting the environment for future generations.
Watch the video below to see one of our lorries being loaded with mattresses before they begin the next stage of their recycling journey.
It’s just one of the many ways we’re helping the local community recycle more and waste less.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
Construction waste, also called construction and demolition waste, is any material produced during building, renovation, or demolition work. This includes rubble, concrete, bricks, tiles, plasterboard, timber, soil, metals, and packaging. It must be handled separately from household waste and disposed of using a licensed carrier. For more details, see the Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice.
Yes. Whenever construction waste is collected by a licensed carrier, a waste transfer note must be completed and kept for at least two years. Clearaway will provide this documentation as part of every collection, so you always have the paperwork you need.
The right skip size depends on the volume of waste your project produces. Small renovations typically suit a 4 to 6 yard skip. Larger building projects may need an 8 to 12 yard skip. For major demolition or groundworks, a roll-on roll-off skip or grab hire may be the most efficient option. Contact us and we will help you choose the right solution.
Yes. We accept soil, mud, sand, hardcore, and rubble. For large volumes of loose material, our grab hire service is often the quickest and most cost-effective solution, as it can load material directly from the ground without the need for a skip.
Yes. Clearaway is fully registered with the Environment Agency as a licensed waste carrier and is BSI Certified. You can have full confidence that your construction waste is being handled legally and responsibly. Our recycling centre processes all collected waste to the highest environmental standards.
Non-Acceptable Waste
We Do not Accept
We aim to recycle 100% of your waste, however we do NOT accept the items below.
Please play your part and help the sector stamp out fires. Please make sure you do not include the following in any of your skips:
- Fridges & Freezers
- Gas Bottles & Cylinders
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Hazardous & Toxic Waste
- Oils & Filters
- Petrol & Diesel
- Flourescent Tubes
- Asbestos
- Paint, Paint Tins, & Solvents (Unless Empty)
- Resins
- Tyres
- Clinical Waste & Syringes
- Film Tape
For these items, Here’s a useful resource to find out: where to recycle near me