Recycling used as solution to mattress dumping

A council in Australia has found a way to deal with the problem of people dumping old mattresses in parks, creeks and charities.

Hume city council has now launched a free recycling day this Sunday to encourage residents to dispose of their old mattresses in a much more environmentally friendly way, the Hume Star reported.

Previously, people had to pay $20 to take their mattress to the tip or use hard-rubbish pick-up vouchers offered by the council. This meant they often left them outside charity shops.

Campbellfield Salvation Army Store received over 20 unusable mattresses a week and had to pay to dispose of them.

Store manager Bob Westhorpe said: "We don't want to give those in need stained and torn mattresses. We don't want them to feel like second-hand people."

The Sleep Council advises that mattresses, whether they are Vi-Spring or Tempur makes, should be changed at least every ten years.

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