Brits have been warned to follow guidance when disposing of their mattress or else risk facing unlimited fines. Mattress experts are warning Brits against making mattress recycling mistakes.
Unfortunately, mattresses are one of the most commonly fly-tipped items, with people choosing to dump their discarded property illegally.
Perpetrators could be fined £400 if caught fly-tipping, and failure to pay could see the fine increase to a huge £50,000.
Recycling, donating and selling are all options for those looking to get rid of their old mattress.
Now, most councils have recycling centres which accept mattresses for free, making it easier than ever to dispose of them in an eco-friendly manner.
But, Brits are being warned transporting old mattresses to these recycling centres must be done in a way that is safe.
Whilst there aren’t any UK laws prohibiting this, drivers must make sure they are following safety guidance.
Failure to properly secure a mattress could see drivers going against rule 98 of The Highway Code, which states you must secure your load and it must not stick out dangerously.
Drivers must ensure their load does not obstruct their view of the road in any way, as they could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Rebecca Swain, mattress expert at WinstonsBeds.com, said: “If you’re getting rid of your old mattress, the first thing is to make sure you are disposing of it in the best way.
“It is distressing to learn mattresses are one of the most common items found to be fly-tipped and illegally discarded, especially when there are so many accessible options available to those looking to get rid of them.
“There are lots of options, of course, but if you do choose to travel with your mattress to the nearest recycling centre, you must make sure you are following all road rules and guidance.
“A large mattress is not an easy object to travel with, but tightly securing it to a roof rack is definitely the safest option, though it does come with its own risks. Failure to follow The Highway Code could result in drivers being slapped with a huge fine on the way to the recycling centre.
“If you are travelling with large cargo, you must make sure you strap it down securely, that it does not slip when the car halts and that it does not obstruct the driver’s vision in any way.
“Disposing of old mattresses isn’t something many people do often, so when it does come time to replace yours we urge you to follow the safest options and ensure you are breaking no laws or rules.”