Mattresses are a global environmental nightmare. The US throws away 18.2m mattresses a year, but there are only 56 facilities available to recycle them.
Changing consumer behaviour is behind this ever-growing mattress mountain. Time was, you would change your mattress every eight to 10 years. But with online retailers offering more choice than ever, we have learned to expect better mattresses, and to replace them more frequently.
The development of new mattress technology has led to a plethora of start-ups targeting the $30 billion international market. There are now at least 175 companies that will ship boxed mattresses to your front door. Most of these companies offer a minimum of a 100-day comfort guarantee, during which time consumers can return their mattresses for a full refund if for any reason they are dissatisfied. Some companies even offer a 365-day guarantee.
