Can I Recycle My Hardside Waterbed?
Good news – there is an answer; something we can do to salvage the environment and that old wood framed waterbed and stop it from ending up in a local landfill.
Before you throw away that old mattress bladder and the waterbed headboard, frame, and drawer pedestal put the lid back on the trashcan and walk inside? Why you say? Salvage that old waterbed and give it a new life with a regular coil spring mattress.
Previously a person’s only option was to put in a new free flow or baffled bladder and fill it with water. Nowadays there are numerous choices of conventional innerspring mattresses that are custom sized to fit a hardside waterbed frame so it won’t have to be trashed. There are several options such as memory foam, latex, and air mattresses all of which can be specially designed to fit the California King, Queen, and Super Single waterbed.
People who choose the environmentally friendly recycling method for the hardside waterbed would only need to dispose of the heater and bladder, while keeping the protective liner, headboard, water bed frame, and drawer pedestal. You most likely would be able to continue using the water bed sheets, comforter and mattress pad since the mattress size wouldn’t be changing, making recycling through reuse is a environmentally sound and smart idea.
Most companies can build a replacement innerspring mattress that will properly fit within a wood waterbed frame, other stores will stock them, so be sure to check with your local dealer for availability.
Sizes of custom fit mattresses to go inside these wood frame waterbeds best are the
California King that measures 70 x 82
California Queen 58 x 82
Super Single 46 x 82
These are custom and are commonly the sizes for a waterbed mattress insert. The custom size makes for a custom fit that allows a person to be able to do the simple things like get their hand between the frame and the mattress to make the bed. The extra inch all the way around leaves just enough space to tuck in mattress pads, waterbed sheets, and comforters for the people who actually make their beds before leaving for work.
Using a boxspring is not necessary with a waterbed insert the mattress fills out the frame properly and usually will not stick up in front of the headboard enough to block it. Not only that but waterbed insert or drop in mattresses are easier to get in and out of and do not have to be flipped, only rotated regularly end to end. Be sure to follow your mattress instructions.
Often the question is asked if regular king or queen spring mattresses fit a waterbed frame? No and Yes. The king size conventional mattresses are too big to fit. These regular king size mattresses measure 76 X 80. Conventional queen mattresses will fit but not very well they measure 60 x 80 leaving a 4 inch space on the end and no room to make up the bed along the sides.
A specially sized mattress to fit down inside the waterbed frame is a great idea and replaces the conventional water filled mattress and saves the environment, so why not look at the idea of recycling you’re old flotation waterbed? It will eliminate the need to buy a new headboard and frame and all the new bed linens that go along with a different bed. This new alternative will save you hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars and is a clear-cut advantage to throwing them away.
Still not convinced? Here are 3 ways to use the old water bed head board.
Construction timber alone I read makes up something like 17 percent of the ecological footprint. I would be curious to know how much of a foot print wood furniture such as sofas chairs all the different types of tables and even the waterbeds you mentioned have on landfills? Does the furniture industry have a program that reclaims these wood materials in place?
Comment by Tabby — February 7, 2008 @ 9:13 am
Not that I am aware of. The furniture industry has never contacted me about being more environmentally friendly. I am not aware of any organizations in the St. Louis Missouri area at this time. I am simply trying to due my part in my little corner of this planet. We are now offering more environmentally friendly mattresses as an alternative choice for folks.
According to Treehugger.com there is a sustainability group attracting large numbers of ground- breaking designers who are not only reclaiming materials baut are actually making furniture out of those recycled materials.
Wood that has been properly cared for, and sometimes even if it hasn’t been will last for many many years. Using wood that is readily available from products that already exist instead of throwing them away is a great alternative. Building of products and making good use of all the wood that’s already out there should be a goal? Many furniture designers have already jumped on board. This reclaimed wood can come from old of all types, housing materials, or anything else that allows for a reincarnation, from wood, scraps etc.
Try to buy for furniture stars with solid construction and can be fixed. If it is strong or can be repaired, it will lessen the possibility of ending up in the landfill, not only that it would easily save us all big money over the long haul, even if it were at the outset more expensive.
When you do decide part with your belongings, think about place like local Charities, Churches, Craigslist, Freecycle, or even eBay, and find it a new home.
Comment by Doug — February 7, 2008 @ 9:55 am
If you are looking to get rid of your Woodframe waterbed and are not wanting it to end up in your local landfill. Consider taking a photo of the bed and placing a free ad on Craigslist.org
We are in the waterbed industry and you would be surprised by how many phone calls we receive from people looking to buy a used woodframe waterbed.
Comment by Irispixie — December 31, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Not only that but you might make a few bucks to put towards your new bed. Be sure that when you post to Craig’s List that you try to focus the ad in your area. Example St. Louis Craig’s List. People generally don’t want to travel more than 20 miles or so. Backpage.com is another place people may want to recycle their waterbeds through reuse. One last suggestion Free Cycle is gaining popularity.
Comment by Doug — December 31, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
I am one of those people looking to buy a hardside waterbed super single, mine got distroyed in a house fire right now i am sleepig on a regular mattress and i hate it, miss the waterbed so much
Comment by Laura — February 2, 2009 @ 1:02 am
Well, as a store that sells new waterbeds I hope you will contact us and look at the different waterbeds we have available.
If you decide to take the green method of owning a waterbed their are plenty of sources as you can see to find them, and keep us in mind if the recycled waterbed you get needs any new waterbed parts or accessories.
Comment by Doug — February 2, 2009 @ 8:21 am
I have a kingsize mirrored canapy waterbed frame and headboard. I do not have a mattress, liner or heater. I also do not have any of the hardware to put it together, but if anyone is interested, please contact me.
Comment by Julie — May 18, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
please let me know if you still have this canopy bed,where is it located,and how much ae you asking
Comment by m savola — September 14, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
Anyone looking to purchase a kingsize mirrored canopy waterbed in the chicagoland area? Matching dressers, too.
Comment by Kathleen A Rzepka — February 14, 2010 @ 1:28 pm