Recycling pillows

20% off green cleaning products! Wowgreen's range is environment, family and pet safe!
::
Buy castile soap and save - special offer for GLT readers! Learn more about the many uses for castile soap

Site Menu

Meet Michael
Article reproduction
Contribute a tip
Contact
Green blog
Home/tip categories
Green shopping
Tell a friend
Feeds
Green tips widget

Article Options

Email to Friend

Print Article

Popular Articles

Get involved!

Feel free to add comments to tips and blog posts & build on the information or click here to submit new earth friendly tips and environmental news items!

Green Living Tips is on Twitter!

» Home » pets » Recycling pillows

Recycling pillows
By Green Living Tips \| Published 01/17/2009 \| pets , home , family

Uses for old pillows I (finally) replaced my pillow recently and wasn't sure what to do with the old one. In years gone by, it would have just been dumped unceremoniously into the bin as they can't be put in with kerbside recycling This time around it found a home keeping Niki the Wonder Dog a little more comfy. She's certainly enjoying the added luxury in her dog bed and I saved a few bucks by not having to buy a special cushion for her. Pillows are rather a bulky product and often filled with synthetic fibers such as polyester. Based on changing a pillow once a year, hundreds of millions of pillows would head to landfill in the USA alone each year. Most manufacturers state the life span of synthetic fill pillows is six months to two years. Foam and latex pillows last from 5 to 10 years. Whatever the life span, something needs to be done with them once they've reached the end of their useful life. In preparation for re-using pillows, it's a great idea to use a pillow protector so that the polyester stuffing doesn't get soaked with a year's worth of drool :). It's also a good idea to wash the pillow first before repurposing it. If it's really far gone and the casing is ripped, you can just wash the filling in a bucket. Some folks have found a variety of ways to re-use pillows; here's few suggestions. - Use the stuffing to make a new soft pillow firm (might save a few bucks) - Your local animal shelter may be able to use them (check with the shelter first) - Keep to one side as packing material for your next move - Use as stuffing in toys - Use as stuffing in throw cushions - Stitch the sides and ends together of multiple synthetic fibre fill pillows to make a quilt. Put a nice cover on it of course :). You don't have to buy synthetic pillows either - there's quite a few more earth friendly pillow filling alternatives available - many of which you can just compost when you're done. 6 repurposing tips isn't really much of a selection, and I'm sure there's a stack of other great ideas out there. Do you have some uses for old pillows you'd like to share? Please add your suggestions below! Michael Bloch Green Living Tips.com Article reproduction guidelines Comments Comment #1 (Posted by FruWiki Meg) I have a water pillow. It has lasted for years and I expect it will last for many more. It's also very comfortable, adjustable, and never needs fluffing. Comment #2 (Posted by Jackie) I think synthetic pillows can be recycled by any textile recycling organization such as Planet Aid, who first attempts to re-distribute items as their intended purpose, and then are recycled for toy animal stuffing, shop rags, etc. Comment #3 (Posted by Bob N) This may have been thought of before or it may not be a very good idea, but what I was thinking is shipping them to poor countries that could use them, they would be better than using nothing. The only problem would be how to get them there. Comment #4 (Posted by Sheila) Hi Michael! It's been a while since my last blog and only because I have been on a repurposing mission... This article hints upon something that I've been a bit challenged with but I really do think it's a great idea- and it does work. A few years ago my husband brought home an iron and wicker bench. It was already tattered but I figured I could make it work with a coat of paint. Unfortunately, the paint didn't hold up to the claws of our outside cat. The bench just became more and more dilapidated but I refused to throw it out because the frame was entirely intact. The year before last, my husband bought a pool that fills to about 4 feet deep (approx. 1 1/3 meters)and has an inflatable ring that rings the top. Unfortunately, the birds liked it, too, and every time they landed on the ring they popped little holes into it. The pool was decommissioned and sat there for a while. My husband just itched to throw it away while I repeatedly said that we could use it for something. To make a long story short, I cut the pool apart with scissors and used the "fabric' to upholster the bench seat and back. The stuffing came from old couch pillows. The arms of the bench remain undone because the material does not like to bend easily- I believe I'm going to weave honeysuckle vine through the arms... there's tons of it around here. Since I'm not a bright blue kind of woman, I have started a slipcover for it made out of all of my children's old jeans. I just patchworked them together and actually sewed alot of it by hand. The whole point of this article is that there are so, so many things that can be reused if one can look at something and answer to themselves, " What could I make that into?" I have not only obtained a free bench that will last forever, but I've found a way to upholster outdoor furniture with a material that renders it waterproof... the slipcover can be removed before upcoming rainstorms. The Texas sun doesn't even damage it. I just though I'd offer that little ditty... those pools were bought here in the USA by the droves. They are a "expensively cheap" way to have a pool and unfortunately don't hold up to bird claws. As a result, they are being thrown away in droves. It just makes me sick to think of the total amount of waste that just this type of pool has created. I'm now thinking that this material would be even easier to use if made into large pillows for your pets or for a "Bohemianesque" outdoor deck hangout... the material can be sewn together. I've even smeared the threads with silicone caulking after sewing the material to ensure its waterproof qualities. Any of the materials use for slipcovers can be fashioned from out- of fashion clothing. I picked jean material because it is fairly rugged. When I complete this project, I will send pictures. As a footnote to this blog, I would like to express my condolences to all of those unfortunate enough to be terrorized by or perish in the blazes in Victoria. It is truly a tragedy and my heart goes to each and every person who has been affected. Take care, Australia, Sheila Comment #5 (Posted by Amy) I give my gently used pillows to a homeless shelter. Cheers! Comment #6 (Posted by Kristina) Is it really necessary to buy new pillows ever year? Personally I have used the same pillow for years and I havn't had any problems. Just change the pillow case! Maybe thats gross but it's just not something I have ever thought about.. Comment #7 (Posted by Stacey) if you are into yoga or meditation or have a friend....take the stuffing and recycle it into a yoga seat or meditation mat. cheap way to get a really nice meditation mat. Comment #8 (Posted by courtney) Stick 2 old pillows into a pillow case rather than just one pillow. I find that the reason i need to replace my pillows are due to them going flat. Submit Comment (reviewed before publishing)

This site is powered by renewable energy