Can I Put a Mattress in a Skip? | Greenbox Recycling

Yes, a mattress can be put in a skip, but not all skip hire companies will accept them. Unlike most domestic or garden waste, mattresses will not be accepted in a skip by default as they are bulky and require a specialist approach to disposal.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the question ‘can I put a mattress in a skip?’, providing you with everything you need to know about this service.

Why do some skip companies not accept mattresses?

Some skip hire companies do not accept mattresses at all. This is for a number of reasons, such as:

They take up too much space: Mattresses are bulky, awkward and do not compact easily. This means skips are not always the most suitable choice for disposal. Skips are designed to maximise as much space as possible by compressing the waste, but mattresses cannot do this, meaning skips are quickly filled up, reducing their efficiency significantly.
They contain mixed materials: A typical mattress includes a wide range of materials, including foam, metal springs and fabric. All these materials need to be separated for proper recycling, which makes disposal more complex than other waste types.
Some older mattresses include POPs: Certain older mattresses may contain Persistent Organic Pollutants, known as POPs. These are classified as hazardous under UK regulations. The use of POPs was banned in 2001, and as of 2023, it is illegal to dispose of them in landfill. This means they require specialised handling and disposal methods to prevent environmental harm.

Due to these factors, many skip hire companies refuse to accept mattresses or apply additional charges as they require specialist processing and sometimes third-party recycling.

Alternative ways to dispose of a mattress

There are several other ways you can dispose of a mattress other than using a skip. This includes:

Council bulky waste collection: Most local councils offer a bulky waste collection service for items like mattresses. While this may involve a fee, it will ensure your mattress is properly disposed of in line with all local regulations and environmental standards.
Retailer take-back schemes: Many mattress retailers offer a take-back service when delivering a new mattress. This means they will take your old one off your hands, and it is often the easiest solution.
Donation: If your mattress is still hygienic and in good condition, you can consider donating it to charities, shelters or local community groups. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also helps those in need.

Often, these alternative methods can be more environmentally friendly as they mean you can guarantee the mattress won’t end up in a harmful landfill site.

What can go in a skip?

By understanding what you can put in a skip will help you avoid project delays and any extra charges.

What can go in a skip?

General household waste: Everyday non-hazardous waste like packaging and general rubbish.
Furniture and furnishings: Old chairs, tables and wardrobes are accepted.
Construction and DIY waste: Bricks, rubble, concrete, tiles and ceramics are accepted, making skip hire ideal for renovation projects.
Wood, metal and plastic: These materials are widely accepted and can be recycled with the help of skip hire.
Garden waste: Soil, branches, plants and grass cuttings can all go in a skip. However, heavy loads of soil might need a specific skip type so it does not exceed weight limits.

What cannot go in a skip?

Electrical items (WEEE): Like fridges, TVs and electrical appliances
Hazardous waste: including asbestos, chemicals, oils and solvents
Batteries and gas cylinders
Tyres
Plasterboard
Clinical or medical waste

These items are restricted due to environmental regulations, safety concerns and the need for specialist disposal processes. Failing to follow these guidelines can result in additional fees and may even stop your skip from being collected. With this in mind, you should always check with your skip-hire provider in advance. For more information on what can and cannot go in a skip, check out our previous blog on the topic.

Choose Greenbox Recycling for skip hire

At Greenbox Recycling, we provide leading skip hire services across Kent. Whether you’re clearing out your home, tackling a renovation project or managing commercial waste for a business, our extensive range of skip sizes ensures you’ll always have the solution you need.

We place environmental responsibility at the heart of everything we do, with 90% of the waste we collect recycled. Get in touch today to find out more.