How To Dispose of Old Pillows: Eco-Friendly Options
The pillow you sleep on every night won’t last forever. The average pillow holds up for a year or two, depending on material, stuffing, and washing frequency.
How do you know it’s time to toss? Fold your pillow in half and release it. If it stays folded instead of springing back into its original shape, it’s time for a new one. Beyond how your pillow feels, you still need to consider hygiene. Over time, pillows collect dead skin cells, dust mites, and bacteria—even regular washing can only do so much.
Once it’s time to throw your old pillow away, don’t worry. There are plenty of eco-friendly options to keep your old belongings out of landfills. In this guide, learn how to dispose of old pillows, whether you’re recycling or repurposing.
How To Recycle Old Pillows
You can recycle pillows, but you shouldn’t toss them in your curbside recycling bin. A typical pillow contains difficult-to-recycle materials, like polyester, fiberfill, and memory foam. Your standard residential recycling facility isn’t equipped to handle the job, so tossing pillows into curbside recycling can create sorting problems at the facility.
Thankfully, textile recycling programs are perfect for situations like this. The American Textile Recycling Service provides drop-off bins nationwide, often in store parking lots. This program generally accepts cotton and polyester covers, though you’ll want to check the signage on the outside of the dropbox. You can also use Earth911’s recycling locator to find nearby textile recycling options by ZIP code.
Before you recycle, keep in mind textile recyclers don’t often accept down pillows, but it’s usually possible to compost the feathers if you separate them from the casing.
Pro tip: If you have contaminated pillows (exposed to illness, mold, or bodily fluids), they should go straight into the trash, regardless of fill type or condition.
Eco-Friendly Pillow Disposal Options
If you don’t have a drop-off point nearby, you still have options to help keep your pillows out of the landfill. Many municipalities host collection events, and some townships even have textile drop-off points. If not, ask your local waste management authorities—they might point you in the right direction.
If it’s time to swap out your pillows, it may also be time to declutter your home. Let College HUNKS handle your junk removal from start to finish. We prioritize sustainability, recycling or donating up to 70% of everything we haul away. Our team starts by donating, then moves to recycling. If any items are unsalvagable, we properly dispose of them according to local regulations.
Where To Donate Old Pillows
Donating old pillows requires slightly more legwork and research than dropping a bag into a dropbox. Goodwill and the Salvation Army often decline used pillows because of sanitary concerns, but you can always call your nearby locations to learn their policies.
Local homeless shelters and transitional housing programs are similar and require clean pillows that are new or gently used. You can donate pillows to animal shelters, too. Dogs and cats waiting for adoption require soft bedding, and most shelters welcome donations (even more worn-down pillows). The same goes for wildlife rehabilitation centers, where they use old pillows as nesting material.
Be sure to follow a few steps before you bring your unwanted pillows to any of these programs. Call ahead to confirm what donations they accept, wash everything beforehand, and only bring what’s usable. “Usable” typically means clean, somewhat firm, and free of odors and stains.
Creative Ways To Repurpose Old Pillows
If you love DIY and don’t know what to do with old pillows, here are a few ways to reuse them around the house.
Turn Them Into Floor Cushions
You can purchase a large floor cushion cover online or at a home goods store, then stuff it with your old, unwanted pillows to create a comfortable lounge space. It usually takes two or three flatter pillows to fill one cover. These cushions are perfect for kids’ play areas and reading corners.
Make a Door Draft Stopper
If the stuffing of your unwanted pillow is viable, but the cover isn’t, remove the interior fluff and fill a long cotton sock or fabric tube. Then, during cold days and nights, lay the filled tube sock along the base of a drafty door or on a leaky windowsill to keep cold air from getting in.
DIY a Garden Kneeling Pad
The ground outside is hard and can be harsh on your knees. If you take an old pillow and pop it into a waterproof vinyl cover, it becomes a viable kneeling pad for long afternoons in the garden. This project protects your joints without the cost of a specialty pad, and the waterproof cover keeps your clothes dry and prevents mold inside the cushion.
Make a Pet Bed
Repurpose old pillows into a cozy retreat for your furry friend. Smaller animals can simply curl up on the cushion as-is, but for large animals, tuck two or three pillows inside a washable cover. This project is easy and low cost—even if you decide to buy a cute, colorful cover to decorate your pet’s space.
Fluff Up Other Pillows
If you have a pillow that has lost its shape, but the interior filling is in decent condition, consider transferring the stuffing into a pillow that could benefit from a boost. You extend the lifespan of your favorite pillow and reuse high-quality filling at the same time.
Pillow Disposal Made Simple With College HUNKS
Whether you’re donating to a person in need or making a bed for a furry pal, recycling old pillows can be easy. Keep your cushions out of landfills—donate to a local organization, repurpose them around your home, or book a pick-up with a friendly team that handles the elbow grease for you.
If you’d rather skip the sorting and hauling, reach out to College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving. We can dispose of old pillows and other unwanted household items responsibly. Our courteous, licensed teams prioritize donation and recycling whenever possible, helping items find a second life. Request a free quote today, and let our trained professionals get to work.
FAQ
Can I Recycle Pillows in My Curbside Recycling Bin?
No, most curbside recycling programs don’t accept pillows. Pillows typically contain mixed materials that are difficult to process. If you want to properly recycle old pillows, locate a textile drop-off point near you.
Do Animal Shelters Take Old Pillows?
Many animal shelters accept donations, but it depends on the organization’s current needs, storage space, and sanitary requirements. It’s best to call beforehand and make sure they’re actively looking for pillow donations. After confirming, bring clean, odor-free pillows.
Can I Compost My Pillow?
Most pillows are partially compostable. Down feathers, wool, and 100% cotton batting can all end up in a compost bin after being removed from the casing.
But polyester, memory foam, and latex don’t belong in a compost bin. They don’t break down and may introduce chemicals into the soil.
How Long Can I Keep My Pillow?
As a general recommendation, it’s best to replace pillows every one to two years, though some people keep them longer depending on the quality and material. You want your pillow supportive, clean, and odor-free. If one or more of these factors starts to wane, your cushion could be past its prime.