"Most foam mattress pads are made from polyurethane foam, a synthetic material that most city recycling programs can't handle. According to the American Chemistry Council, U.S. manufacturers make 300 million pounds of polyurethane foam each year just for mattresses, and toppers add even more. The main challenge with recycling foam is cost and logistics. Foam can be shredded and reused for things like carpet padding or car seats, but breaking it down takes a lot of work, so making new foam is usually cheaper."
"Memory foam is especially concerning for the environment when it ends up in a landfill. As it breaks down, foam can release chemicals like VOCs and flame retardants that may pollute soil and water. A foam topper can take 50 to 100 years to decompose in a landfill. Reuse First: Donation Options If your foam mattress pad is still in good shape, with no major stains, smells, or damage, donating it may give it a second life and keep it out of the landfill."
Foam mattress pads and memory foam toppers are usually made from polyurethane foam that most municipal recycling programs cannot process. U.S. manufacturers produce hundreds of millions of pounds of polyurethane foam annually for mattresses and toppers, but the cost and logistics of recycling make shredding and reuse less common because producing new foam is cheaper. Memory foam in landfills can release VOCs and flame retardants and may take 50 to 100 years to decompose. Clean, undamaged toppers can be donated to shelters, animal rescues, thrift stores, or shared locally to extend their useful life and avoid landfill disposal.
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