How to: Dispose of an Old Mattress (Photo courtesy of soundfromwayout on Flickr) We took advantage of recent sales to purchase new twin mattresses to replace the old ones in our childhood bedroom. We decided to save on the delivery fee by picking them up in store which left us with the dubious pleasure of arranging for the disposal of our old mattresses. A little research demonstrated that this is much easier said than done… The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will collect large, bulky items (including mattresses) by appointment from households that receive DPW trash collection service – great if you live in a single family home or apartment building with up to three apartments, but not so helpful if you live in a large multi-unit building. The private company that picks up our building's trash charges $50 to pick up bulky items for disposal.Because a mattress can take up to 23 cubic feet of space in a landfill and may never truly break down, we wanted to find a more environmentally friendly way to dispose of our older mattresses.
Mattresses are rich in recyclable components- the fabric and foam can be used to make insulation and carpet, the wood is often sold to wood chippers for use as fuel, and the high-quality springs can be melted down and sold to steel companies. (Photo courtesy of Conigliaro Industries) Unfortunately, we soon learned that there are only a few mattress recycling facilities in the U.S. that break mattresses into their composite parts; those of you living in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and California have access to these facilities. Those of us in the DC area will soon be able to recycle our mattresses thanks to MattCanada, a Canadian company that is currently building a facility in Frederick, MD. In the end, we turned to our old friend Craigslist for help. We listed the mattresses as free to a good home, and they were picked up later that day by a family in need. The next time you buy a new mattress, be sure to ask if the mattresses the delivery company takes away will be recycled;
if not, please consider alternatives that are less harmful to the environment than disposal in a landfill. >>To All AT Washington PostsThank you for thinking of us for your donation! We redistribute furniture and home goods to individuals and families transitioning out of homeless situations or to those simply living without life’s necessities. Your donation will greatly improve the living conditions of our region’s most vulnerable residents. Our goal is to help families start anew with dignity and hope. We ask that all furniture items be donated in good condition, with no rips or stains. Our Wish List below outlines the items our families typically request. To arrange a pick-up, click on the Donate Furniture button below. For pick-ups, please provide us with as much advance notice as possible. In order for us to complete the pick-up and distribute your items in the best possible fashion, we ask for your help by ensuring that all items meet our guidelines.
Please ensure available parking for our truck is legal and within 30 yards of the residence. If you live in Washington, DC and do not have a driveway or loading dock for the truck to access, we ask that you reserve a parking permit through the DC Department of Transportation. For step-by-step instructions on how to reserve a permit, click here. Furniture & Household Goods Donations (mattresses, box springs, & frames) – Almost every family that we serve needs beds. Please donate only those that are without rips or stains. as with beds, almost every one of our families needs dressers. Kitchen tables and chairs families prefer sets (single kitchen or dining room chairs rarely find homes). strollers, highchairs, changing tables, Pack ‘n Plays, car seats, infant and toddler clothing, cribs (due to recent recalls, we are unable to accept drop-side cribs) End tables and coffee tables Please donate only those that are without rips or stains.
with remote, and color and cable-ready are best. Measuring diagonally across the screen, we can take TVs between 20” – 36” sets of dishes, silverware, pots & pans, toasters and microwaves Fans & Air Conditioning Units these often go into the homes of low-income seniors for whom they may be life-saving. Please ensure that they are in good working order and are cleaned/dusted. detergent, dish soap, household cleaners as long as they are models for which families can still buy the required bags all sizes are needed comforters, blankets, and sheet sets our clients often need rope to tie items down for transport As a complement to our furniture distribution program – and in response to growing requests for support from those we serve – we are collecting The Essentials: Dried beans and lentils Toilet cleaner and brushes In order for us to provide the most dignified service to our neighbors, please donate these items in new (and unopened) condition.
Thank you for helping us serve. A Wider Circle depends on donations from local community members, businesses, and civic organizations in order to provide services to our clients free of charge. We partner with Network for Good. Your donation can help in a variety of ways. Here are some examples of how a little can go a long way: $50 Provides a child or adult with all of the basic need items they need to live well – from beds, dressers, tables and chairs to sheets, towels, and personal care items. $80 Fuels our trucks for a day. Your gift will help our trucks stay on the road and ensure that the families that come to us receive all of the items they need for their new homes. Give in honor of your loved one, and we will write his or her name on a truck for the gift’s duration. $250 Covers the cost of supplies and materials for a series of educational workshops (e.g., Job Skills, Nutrition, Healthy Parenting) at our Center for Professional Development.
$500 Funds a beautification project at a low-income school or neighborhood Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We accept checks, cash, and credit card donations. To donate online, simply fill out the online donations form. A Wider Circle is pleased to partner with Network for Good to securely process your online credit card donation. If you wish to send a check, please make it out to “A Wider Circle” and send it to: Professional Attire and Accessories Donations As a complement to our growing schedule of job preparedness and other adult education programs, we take clothing and accessory donations at this center seven days a week. When it comes to professional attire and accessories, we find that the best guide is, “Will these items best help an individual to look polished and professional in his or her job interview?” We are looking for the following items in great condition for our Professional Development Program: