How are we supposed to recycle mattresses in this state?

Submitted by poserkidsrus t3_11bp3aa in newjersey

I have a Zinus mattress that is less than 100 days old. I asked the company about returning it for a refund based on their 100 day policy. They said to donate it and provide proof of donation. Another option they gave was to recycle it. I can't find any information locally besides "ask a church". None of the normal donation center options will take mattresses. I was told by Goodwill that selling used mattresses in NJ is illegal.

Has anyone had this problem? I can't just toss it out because I need to show Zinus a receipt from whoever takes the mattress.

Thanks for any info.

Location is camden County.

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robthetrashguy t1_j9z2l61 wrote

I can’t help you beyond googling it. It’s just another example of the fragmented system of sustainability. Tell Zinus that it’s not an available option in NJ and to Please honor their refund policy. Unless, there is something in the fine print that covers this, they should be able to do that. I brought this sort of topic up at a recent meeting on extended producer responsibility (EPR). While this tends to focus on plastics, it happens in many other product lines, such as mattresses. There is no National system that facilitates the collection and repurposing of products that exists in every state. Zinus, needs to be called out in this.

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craywolf t1_j9z2rlb wrote

I had this same issue with a Casper mattress. They "approved" my return but left it to me to find a charity or recycler to get a refund. When I couldn't, I told them so and they said they'd schedule a pickup. Then they dicked me around and never scheduled one.

Eventually I called my credit card company, gave them the email proof that Casper approved the return and that I had done my part. They immediately processed a chargeback, and wouldn't you know it, at 9:30am the next day Casper scheduled the pickup.

Anyway, I recommend you tell Zinus that the charities you've contacted have said it's illegal to sell a used mattress in NJ, and ask them what to do now. They still need to honor their refund policy, and it's not your job to research how.

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fidelesetaudax t1_j9z4h1s wrote

New Jersey Mattress law

26:10-20 Requirements for lease, sale, delivery, consignment of used mattresses, box springs.

  1. a. No person shall sell, lease, offer to sell, lease or deliver, or consign in sale or lease, or possess with intent to sell, lease, deliver, or consign in sale or lease, a used mattress or box spring unless that mattress or box spring is encased in plastic, polyethylene film, or similar material designed to prevent the transfer of insects or other contaminants.

b. No person shall sell a used mattress or box spring unless that mattress or box spring has been cleaned and disinfected using a reasonable process approved by the Commissioner of Health.

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Educational_Paint987 t1_j9z5kwv wrote

So its illegal to resell but cant recycle. Just another example of how stupid NJ is sometimes.

I have same problem with styrofoam. I need to wait for when the county opens their whatver recycling day to take it there. Meanwhile my garage looks like am hoarding the stuff.

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Theo_dore229 t1_j9znn7u wrote

Call your garbage pick up company. I know if you live in an area where the garbage pick up is contracted to a private company, they will often schedule a pick up and charge you a fee to dispose of them. At least this is true when I moved a number of years back. If you have regular municipal pick up, call the public works department and see if they have something similar, or could refer you to a local company that does this.

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Jimmytowne t1_j9zoq5k wrote

Memory foam? Someone should start a charity repurposing these into small dog beds and give to animal shelters. I’m sure there is a mite and bed bug issue that would have to be addressed but there’s gotta be a solution to this

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patchworkskye t1_j9zqyiv wrote

please consider trying to give it away on your local Buy Nothing group - most are on FB but they have an app as well (though the FB groups are much more active) - if you’d like me to help you find your local group, feel free to send me a message 🌻

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valeofraritan t1_ja0pfd5 wrote

Ah, guess that's the problem with a non-traditional mattress company. If you buy from a mattress store or department store, they'll usually take the old one. when they deliver your new mattress.

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NjMel7 t1_ja2ubeh wrote

Replying to potatochipsfox (#2,003,741)

I donated a mattress to a Christian church (someone in the community took it) and the guy who was taking it for his home signed my form. So if you are donating it, just have whoever took it sign the form. It should work.

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craywolf t1_ja35ntj wrote

Replying to TastyAgency4604 (#2,022,638)

I filed the chargeback at 1:00pm, and had confirmation from Casper at 9:45am the next morning. After two weeks of being dicked around.

They didn't even ask me when I was available either, just scheduled a pickup for "between 8am and 12pm" two days later. I was very, very tempted to tell them I wouldn't be home during those times ... but at that point I just wanted the thing out of my house.

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