How to Properly Dispose of Pillows: Cotton, Latex, and Memory Foam
- 1Pillows and cushions cannot be processed for textile recycling and must never be dumped into clothing collection bins.
- ✓Compress cotton/foam pillows into general trash bags, or register large body pillows as bulky waste with your district office.
Follow these steps
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Step 1 [Check Material]: Identify pillow type — cotton, natural/synthetic latex, memory foam, feather/down, or large body pillow.
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Step 2 [Separate Cover & Compress]: Unzip and separate washable fabric covers for clothing recycling; compress inner pillow foam tightly using string or tape.
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Step 3 [Bagged Disposal]: Place standard-sized compressed pillows into general municipal trash bags (50L–100L) on scheduled collection days.
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Step 4 [Bulky Waste Registration]: Register oversized body pillows or large bed cushions online with your district office to obtain a bulky waste sticker.
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Step 5 (Zippers and Packaging Materials Separation): Detached metal zipper sliders and fasteners from pillow casings can be placed into scrap metal recycling, while clean plastic compression packaging from replacement pillows should be folded into vinyl recycling bins.
Frequently asked question
Can I put old pillows or cushions into public clothing collection bins?
No! Pillows, latex, memory foam, and cushions cannot be mechanically recycled for textiles. They belong in general trash bags or registered bulky waste.
Can memory foam or latex pillows go into general trash bags?
Yes! Memory foam and latex are processed as general waste. Fold or compress them tightly to fit into standard trash bags.
How do I dispose of oversized body pillows or bed cushions?
If the body pillow does not fit in a 100L general trash bag, register it online with your local district office as bulky waste (fee approx. ₩500–₩2,000) and attach the collection sticker.
Can pillow covers be recycled separately?
Yes! Clean fabric pillowcases without inner fillings can be placed in textile recycling bins. Only the stuffed inner pillow goes into general trash.