Can Bed Frames Be Recycled? Yes, Here’s How

Getting rid of a bed frame can be a frustrating process. Bed frames are made of all sorts of parts that can be scrapped for profit or to help the environment. If you want to toss your bed frame in an eco-friendly way, you’re in the right place.

Bed frames can be recycled by breaking down each part and bringing them to a scrap yard or a recycling plant. Make sure you know what kind of metal or plastic is used in the bed frame. You can bring wooden slats and headboards to a lumberyard to be reused or repurposed.

In this article, I’ll talk about how you can recycle your bed frame, whether or not your bed frames are considered scrap metal, and where you can properly dispose of a bed.

You can get a lot out of a bed frame, but they all have to be thrown out eventually.

How to Recycle a Bed Frame

To recycle a bed frame, try these steps:

1. Take apart the bed frame. You shouldn’t bring a complete bed frame to a recycling center unless it doesn’t come apart. Most bed frames can be broken down into screws, joints, slats, support beams, headboards, and bars.
2. Categorize the bed frame’s parts by their materials. Each material has to be recycled in a different way. Metal and plastic are often melted and reused with other materials. However, some screws can be reused if they’re not stripped. You’ll likely find steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, and various alloys to recycle in the bed frame.
3. Bring each material to a local recycling center. Call ahead to ensure they take each material. Some recycling places only take plastic or metal, whereas others take everything. It’s crucial to bring the materials to the proper place; otherwise, they can’t recycle the bed frame properly.
4. Contact a local mobile recycling plant to pick up your old bed frame. These companies often come by with large trucks to take bed frames, mattresses, refrigerators, and many other materials. While they’re not always available, they’re some of the most convenient ways to recycle bed frames.
5. Throw the bed frame away or ask about reusing or repurposing it. Bed frames with wheels are exceptionally useful in places with a lot of people moving in and out. Consider donating the bed frame if you think it’s still in useable condition.

Remember, you don’t have to get rid of a crooked bed frame. They can be fixed by tightening the screws and replacing a few parts here and there. Once you’re ready to dispose of the bed frame, try the previously mentioned suggestions to recycle it as much as possible.

Are Bed Frames Considered Scrap Metal?

Bed frames are considered scrap metal because they can be broken down into aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, and steel alloy. You can scrap the screws, support beams, and any other metal parts. Make sure you bring the scrap metal to a recycling plant instead of a trash dump.

Earth911 explains you can scrap everything on your bed frame. Make sure you remove all paint, wax, and anything else on the bed frame beforehand. You can also scrap or recycle mattresses, pillows, sheets, and blankets. Contrary to popular belief, almost every part of your bed is recyclable or scrappable.

Before you scrap your bed frame, consider these factors:

• Not all recycling plants and scrap yards will take whole bed frames. You’ll likely have to break them down into smaller parts.
• If you’re getting rid of your mattress, remove the springs and recycle them. Most people use memory foam beds without springs these days. However, you can recycle the bed frame springs since they’re made of metal.
• The wheels and cushioned portions of the bed frame might not be scrappable or recyclable. Consider removing them before heading to the scrapyard or recycling plant.
• Damaged metal parts can still be recycled. They don’t have to be in good condition since they’ll likely be melted and reused for other items.
• Some recycling plants provide compensation for bringing large amounts of metal. You definitely won’t get enough for a new bed frame, but it could help you take steps towards it.

Those who don’t want to take the time to recycle, repurpose, or scrap their bed frames can try the final suggestion below.

Can a Metal Bed Frame Go in a Dumpster?

A bed frame can go in a dumpster if you break it down into multiple parts. Don’t put a whole bedframe in a dumpster because it’ll take up too much space. Furthermore, you could get complaints from whoever manages the dumpster.

It’s important to note that you can’t put a bed frame in the first dumpster you come across. Many companies keep dumpsters behind their businesses, but they’re designated for the business, not random things that need to be thrown away.

Dumpsters explains that you can rent a dumpster if you don’t have one near your home. For that matter, you can rent a recycling dumpster and send it back to the company you rented it from. It’s always better to recycle a bed frame rather than throw it away in a garbage dumpster.

A bed frame’s parts can be reused and repurposed for various projects around the house, too. Hold on to the slats, support beams, and other parts that you can use to replace parts on your new bed frame whenever they fail. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.

Wrapping It Up

There are more than enough ways to recycle or repurpose your bed frame when you’re done with it. Bed frames are made out of numerous materials, most of which can be recycled (steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, etc.). Consider contacting a local pickup company to see if they’ll come to grab the old bed frame.

Keep in mind that you can’t exceed a bed frame’s weight limit or you’ll have to get rid of it long before you should. You can recycle broken parts and replace them with new wooden slats, screws, joints, etc.