How to get rid of an old mattress in West Yorkshire — whether it can go in a skip, what it costs, and every other option.
You can put a mattress in a skip, but it is classed as controlled waste and carries a per-item surcharge, so it must be declared when you book. Since 2023, mattresses fall under the POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) regulations, which require them to be stored, transported and destroyed separately from general waste — that is why they cost extra and can't simply be thrown in unannounced.
A mattress is accepted in an EFR skip as controlled waste for a per-item surcharge — tell us how many you have when you book and we'll add the cost up front. Undeclared mattresses found at collection can incur an extra charge, so it always pays to flag them in advance.
Your options, from most to least convenient — pick whichever suits the amount you have and how quickly you need it gone.
The simplest option if you're already clearing other waste. Declare the mattress when you book, we add the surcharge to your quote, and it goes off for separate POPs-compliant processing.
Most council HWRC sites accept mattresses, often free for residents (check your local site's rules — some now charge for POPs items). You'll need a vehicle to transport it.
Wakefield, Leeds and Kirklees councils all run a bulky-item collection service for a small per-item fee — handy if you have no transport.
Many mattress retailers will remove your old mattress when they deliver the new one, sometimes free, sometimes for a small fee — ask at the point of purchase.
Yes — a mattress can go in an EFR skip, but only if you declare it when booking, because it is controlled waste under the POPs regulations and carries a per-item surcharge. Declaring it up front means the cost is included in your quote and the mattress is set aside for the separate processing the law requires. Undeclared mattresses can be charged for at collection.
Mattresses were reclassified as containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2023, which means they can no longer be mixed with general waste and landfilled. They have to be stored, transported and destroyed separately under strict rules, and that extra handling is what the per-item surcharge covers. The rule applies to every waste carrier in the UK, not just EFR.
In a skip it's a small per-item surcharge added to your skip price — call 01924 637777 for the current figure. A council HWRC drop-off is often free for residents, while a council bulky-waste collection is typically a modest per-item fee. If you're already clearing other waste, adding the mattress to a skip is usually the most cost-effective option.
Yes. Mattresses are broken down at licensed facilities where the steel springs, foam, fibre and textiles are separated and recovered for recycling rather than landfilled. When you declare a mattress with EFR it goes for this separate, compliant processing as part of our over-90% recycling operation.
Hire a skip and clear the lot in one go — just remember to declare controlled items when you book so there are no surprises.
