Mattress Forum

Numbernine, I'm glad to see you raise this question. It is a real issue, all right. The disposal of used mattresses is apparently regulated state-by-state. I know in my state, I've seen apparently used mattresses for sale at a local charity. They are wrapped in plastic. I don't know if they have to go some kind of clearning or refurbishing process or not prior to resale. Anyway, the mattress companies who take back exchanges or warrantied products have a big problem on their hands. The report at the website below says it is getting increasingly expensive to dispose of them at landfills. There is a sustainability project being developed by manufacturers to recycle mattress components. The report also says this:

Given that selling renovated mattresses as new products is illegal in many states, no
accurate statistics exist on how many units of used mattresses are renovated and resold in
this manner. Nevertheless, ISPA in 1995 estimated that this underground market could
equal up to 35% of annual new units sold.1 Based on these estimates, 2003 U.S. sales of
39.7 million units (representing $5 billion in sales) of mattresses and box-springs, the
renovated market could account for up to 13.9 million units worth up to $1.75 billion.2

The report this came from and more on the recycling initiative is at the website below. It says, in general, mattresses are not accepted for recycling from private parties.

http://www.sleepproducts.org/Sustainability/RecyclingFacilities.php

I would never consider buying a used or refurbuished mattress, but many people do take advantage of the rock bottom prices and get nasty surprises.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24226788/ns/dateline_nbc-dont_let_the_bed_bugs_bite/t/bed-bugs-living-new-or-refurbished-mattress/

One of the biggest retailers in Canada called The Brick has clearance centres where they basically just sell damaged products, factory seconds and I believe comfort exchanged mattresses usually go there as well.  

Apparently there are many places selling used, contaminated and bedbug infested mattresses as new. Since the consequences of doing this seem to be little more than a slight tap on the wrist, there is no motivation to discontinue the practice. Out and out lying/fraud is involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vfs7T1aRvw&feature=related

What benefit are you referring to regarding component mattresses? Often these also have comfort exchanges on the components - I think thats why many people go for these. So isnt there just as much of a risk that these used components are being resold? I would think the risk is even greater since the regulations do not usually apply to mattress components, only the entire mattress.

weewillywinky, do you mean components like slabs of foam? At least with those you can more or less see what you're getting, unlike with traditional spring mattresses where a new cover can hide a horror scene. It's really despicable.

When I got my new mattress, I had the guys take away an old set (I kept the one I was using) that was being used as an animal bed. Dogs used it, ate messy bones on it and drooled on it, cats used and puked on it. Now I'm frightened it got recovered and sold.

For anyone with a sick sense of humour, you might get a chuckle (or shed a few tears) over this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvF3F9olA5Y