How to Dispose of Old Pillows – Sustainable Living | Naturepedic (2024)

Although you lay your head on them every night, it’s possible your pillows have become neglected. Think about it … when’s the last time you replaced yours? The truth is nothing lasts forever, and a flat, yellowed pillow is the perfect example.

However, before you toss your old pillows in the garbage, consider how to get rid of them responsibly. This is even more important if you’re not already sleeping on pillows made without polyurethane foam and flame retardants.

When pillows that contain these materials (aka most pillows in the market!) end up in landfills, they stay there for a very long time. For example, memory foam, a form of polyurethane foam and a popular pillow material, is not biodegradable and will take up precious landfill space for hundreds of years. What’s more, conventional pillows off-gas harmful chemicals well beyond the GREENGUARD® Gold standard for low chemical emissions, and these VOCs seep into the soil.

Don’t panic! How you dispose of your old pillows can make an impact, and we can walk you through some more sustainable options.

Over time, pillows can lose their shape, support and color and can even begin to collect bacteria or mold. In general, replacing your pillows every one to two years is recommended. However, the lifespan of your pillow actually depends on what type of pillow you have and how well you take care of it.

Pillows can be made from a variety of materials, like:

• Memory foam/other forms of polyurethane foam
• Polyester
• Down alternative
• Down feather
• Plant-based PLA fiber
• Natural latex
• Synthetic latex

Higher quality options, like Naturepedic organic latex pillows, tend to last considerably longer than their counterparts. In terms of extending a pillow’s lifespan through care, you should always sleep with a pillowcase covering your pillow. Washing your pillowcases and sheets once a week and investing in a pillow protector can also be helpful. Learn more about when to replace your pillow here.

Perhaps it’s never crossed your mind whether or not you can recycle pillows. They tend to be the kind of home item that we don’t even think about disposing of until it’s time to think about it. Unfortunately, you can’t just toss pillows (or other textiles) into your blue recycling bin with your cardboard boxes and plastic bottles.

But, are pillows recyclable another way? Yes, some are! There are services, such as the American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS), that specialize in recycling and repurposing textiles, like pillows, to help keep them out of landfills where they’ll sit for years to come. In fact, ATRS has thousands of designated textile recycling bins and centers across the country. Local textile factories sometimes accept old pillows, and there are mail-in textile recycling programs, too. Earth911 is a helpful resource for learning more about how to recycle pillows.

So, the answer is technically yes – pillows can be recycled but not the same way your other household items are. The pillow recycling process requires a little extra effort, but it’s definitely well worth it.

In some cases, composting may be an option. This will depend on the type of pillow, though. It’s sometimes possible to compost your pillow’s core if it’s made from naturally occurring materials, but you can never compost synthetic materials, like polyester, polyurethane foam, nylon or spandex.

If the pillow’s exterior is also made of a natural fiber, like certified organic cotton, composting may be an option for the encasem*nt as well, but be sure to remove any zippers, tags or threading. Just remember: composting takes some research to do it right!

Due to the hygienic risks involved, pillows aren’t a standard item that’s readily accepted by donation centers, like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. However, many charities and non-profit organizations may be willing to accept pillow donations if they are in good enough condition. It’s a good idea to call ahead and confirm these places accept pillow donations and what the requirements are for donating. Places to call include local:

• Homeless shelters
• Daycare centers
• Animal shelters
• Wildlife rehabilitation centers
• Veterinary clinics

Once refreshed and reupholstered, your old pillows may be the perfect new addition to your living room or other lounge area. Simply compress the old pillow’s filling to stuff store-bought covers or ones you’ve sewn yourself.

All good things must come to an end, but fortunately there are endless ways to create new possibilities from your old pillows or to at least get rid of them responsibly. Now, time to test out your pillows and see whether they’re due for a refresh!