Donating a mattress can be a generous and sustainable way to support others while also reducing landfill waste. Whether you’re upgrading your bed or moving, giving away your mattress to a charity helps the community and the environment. This guide explains how to donate a mattress in London, which charities accept them, and what to expect during the donation process.
Why Donate a Mattress?
Donating a gently used mattress can:
- Provide essential comfort to families or individuals in need.
- Reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable living.
- Support charitable organisations’ work through resale in charity shops.
- Enable reuse and upcycling, reducing demand for new materials.
What Kind of Mattress Is Acceptable for Donation?
Before donating, ensure your mattress is in good, reusable condition. Most charities in the UK will only accept mattresses that:
- Are clean and free from stains, tears, or heavy soiling.
- Do not have bed bugs or infestations.
- Have the fire safety label (BS7177) attached and clearly legible (especially important in the UK).
- Are intact structurally, with no broken springs or collapsed sides.
If your mattress meets these criteria, it is likely suitable for donation. Otherwise, it may be best to contact your local council or recycling services for responsible disposal.
Charities in London That Accept Mattress Donations
Here are some well-known UK charities that accept mattress donations in London, along with their contact details, collection options, and how the process works.
1. British Heart Foundation
- 📍 Address: 97 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD (and other local branches)
- 📞 Phone: 0808 250 0030
- 🌐 Website: www.bhf.org.uk
- Donation Process:
- Free collection service for large furniture and electrical items.
- Must have a fire safety label.
- Book via their online form or call the donation hotline.
2. Emmaus Greenwich
- 📍 Address: 226 Elmley Street, Thamesmead, London SE28 8SD
- 📞 Phone: 020 8854 3426
- 🌐 Website: www.emmaus.org.uk/greenwich
- Donation Process:
- Offers free collection within select London boroughs.
- Mattresses must be clean and have a visible fire label.
- Book a collection via phone or website.
3. Sue Ryder Charity Shops
- 📍 Address: 376 Mare Street, London E8 1HR (branch example)
- 📞 Phone: 020 8985 1504
- 🌐 Website: www.sueryder.org
- Donation Process:
- Some stores accept mattress donations.
- Contact the store to check availability and collection options.
- Must be in excellent, sellable condition.
4. Cancer Research UK Furniture Shop
- 📍 Address: 33 Rye Lane, Peckham, London SE15 5EX
- 📞 Phone: 020 7639 2294
- 🌐 Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org
- Donation Process:
- Offers collection of furniture and mattresses in good condition.
- Arrange via phone or online form.
- Fire safety label required.
5. Furniture Donation Network
- 📍 Address: Nationwide network (partners with local charities in London)
- 📞 Phone: 0344 879 4410
- 🌐 Website: www.furnituredonationnetwork.org
- Donation Process:
- Online booking form to arrange a collection.
- Matches donations with local charities that have specific needs.
- Mattresses must be clean and in reusable condition.
What Happens After Collection?
Once collected, your mattress is either:
- Resold in a charity’s furniture shop to raise funds for community work.
- Given directly to individuals or families in need.
- Refurbished Mattress or recycled, if not fit for use, depending on the organisation’s capabilities.
Charities ensure that all donations either help others directly or fund their programs through resale, offering vital support to low-income households and homeless individuals.
Environmental and Social Benefits
By donating your mattress:
- 🌱 You reduce landfill waste – a typical mattress takes 10+ years to decompose.
- 💚 You support circular economy efforts, reducing the need for new resources.
- 🛏️ You provide comfort to those facing hardship or housing instability.
- ♻️ You promote sustainability, especially when working with charities using environmentally friendly processes.
Final Thoughts
If your mattress is still in good condition and includes the required fire safety label, donating it is a responsible and impactful choice. Many London-based charities are ready to collect and rehome mattresses, offering them to individuals and families in need while reducing environmental waste.
Before donating, make sure to:
- Check that the mattress is clean and in usable condition
- Confirm that the fire safety label is securely attached and clearly legible
- Contact your chosen charity in advance to verify they accept your mattress type and condition
Donating your mattress not only extends its life but also supports social causes and helps protect the environment.
However, if your mattress is damaged, stained, heavily worn, or missing a fire label, it may not qualify for donation. In such cases, it’s important to dispose of it properly. Responsible mattress disposal options in London include:
- Booking a bulky waste collection through your local council
- Using certified recycling companies that dismantle and repurpose mattress materials
- Exploring retailer take-back services when purchasing a new mattress
Always choose environmentally friendly disposal methods where possible. Whether you donate or recycle, your action can make a difference.
Giulia is a content writer at Luxe Mattresses, where she blends her background in product development with a passion for sleep science and design. A graduate of Imperial College London, Giulia studied Product Development & Entrepreneurship, giving her a strong foundation in how everyday products like mattresses & impact human well-being.
At Luxe, she focuses on writing informative, user-friendly blogs that explore everything from mattress comparisons and sleep quality tips to innovations in bedding technology. Giulia is especially passionate about helping readers make smarter choices when it comes to comfort, health, and bedroom design.
