Mattress Recycling in the UK: Progress Made, Challenges Ahead
In 2023, the UK recycled 56% of end-of-life (EoL) mattresses. But here’s the reality check: only 33% were really recycled into usable materials.
The National Bed Federation (NBF) has set a target of 75% landfill diversion by 2028, and the clock is ticking.
Here’s what the latest data tells us — and why retailers, consumers, and the environment all have a stake in solving the UK’s mattress waste crisis.
Mattress Sales & Waste: A Shifting Market
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Mattress sales fell by 35% since 2018, dropping from 8.01 million to 5.21 million units in 2023.
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Imports accounted for 29% of UK mattress sales in 2023, the highest share ever recorded.
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An estimated 83 million mattresses are currently in use across the UK — a 19.5% increase since 2020.
This suggests that while fewer units are being bought, the number of mattresses in households continues to rise — likely due to more spare rooms and beds per person.
Recycling Reality: The Good, the Bad, and the Wasteful
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In 2023, 4.69 million mattresses were discarded in the UK.
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Of these, 56% were “sent for recycling,” yet only 33% were actually recycled into new materials.
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Much of what’s collected ends up as energy-from-waste (EfW), not true recycling.
Why? Poor mattress quality, inconsistent recycling infrastructure, and a lack of regulation all play a part.
Reuse and Take-Back Schemes: A Missed Opportunity
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Only 4 out of the top 5 mattress retailers offer take-back schemes.
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If every company did, 1.64 million more mattresses could have been collected in 2023.
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Consumer returns cost UK retailers around £60 million per year — a huge waste in both financial and environmental terms.
Retailers offering hygienic refurbishment and resale could reclaim value and reduce landfill, but uptake is limited.
Material Matters: The Battle for Value
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Steel springs and clean foam blocks offer resale value — but markets are volatile.
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Contaminated or mixed materials like shoddy and wool are often worthless.
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Rogue manufacturers using recycled components without disclosure are undermining trust.
Building a circular economy means recovering high-quality materials, not just diverting to incineration.
Policy and Industry Recommendations
The NBF report outlines urgent steps:
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Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for all mattress brands.
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Landfill bans in regions with recycling capacity.
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Incentives for retailers to design, collect, and recycle better.
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Stronger investment in recycling tech, storage, and cleaning infrastructure.
What This Means for Retailers, Consumers and the Planet
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Retailers: Circular design, transparency, and take-back schemes are not just ethical — they’ll be required. Act early to stay ahead.
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Consumers: Your old mattress may not be going where you think. Ask about recycling, and think twice about fast, cheap beds.
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Environment: Without stronger action, millions of mattresses will still go to landfill or EfW, wasting valuable materials and fuelling emissions.
Read the full report here: NBF 2025 Mattress Report
Final Word
We’re halfway to the 75% target. But halfway isn’t enough. The industry must work together to clean up what we sleep on.