Throw pillows are nice because they can make your living area that much more comfortable. There are many types of throw pillows, and they come in so many different shapes and sizes. You might have old throw pillows that you’re planning to throw out, but perhaps you’d rather recycle them. Below, you’ll learn about whether throw pillows are recyclable as well as other important information.

Throw Pillows Can Be Recyclable

Many types of throw pillows are recyclable. However, you need to consider the fact that not all throw pillows are the same. Throw pillows are generally small pillows that you put on couches, chairs, and other types of furniture. They can be made out of many different types of materials.

• latex
• cotton
• synthetic
• memory foam

Depending on which type of throw pillow you have, it may or may not be possible to recycle it. Some materials are easy to recycle, while others are not. Figuring out which throw pillows can be recycled will help you determine how to move forward.

Latex Throw Pillows

Latex throw pillows are a good choice when you want to have pillows that are recyclable. You might be surprised to learn that latex is a natural material. It’s made out of natural rubber and it can be recycled. This means that throw pillows that are made out of latex will be easier to recycle than most other types of pillows.

People who care about buying eco-friendly products are starting to use latex pillows more and more. These pillows are comfortable, and they can be recycled. You can even compost latex, and this gives you more options to consider once the pillow is old and you no longer wish to use it. A latex throw pillow should be fairly simple to recycle or reuse.

Check out: Recycled Latex Pillows

Cotton Throw Pillows

Cotton throw pillows are also common. These pillows are made out of natural materials, but they might sometimes contain synthetic materials as well. Some cotton throw pillows are made out of 100% natural cotton while others combine cotton with synthetic materials. Natural cotton is recyclable, but it is not practical to recycle cotton.

Not every recycling center will take cotton scraps. Some places will recycle cotton, but you should know that it’s not the most common situation. Cotton gets worse as it continues to be recycled and reused. It’s also not possible to recycle cotton normally when it has been combined with other materials, and they can’t be recycled continuously.

Check out: Recycled Cotton Pillows

Synthetic Throw Pillows

Synthetic throw pillows are fairly common still, and these pillows are ones you’ll want to avoid if you care about recycling. Synthetic materials aren’t good for the environment, and recycling synthetic pillows will often be difficult. Many types of synthetic pillows contain various types of foam, and this will make recycling difficult. Certain parts of the pillow might be recyclable, but it depends on which materials are used to make the pillow.

So not all synthetic throw pillows will be easy to recycle. Once these pillows get old, you might simply have to throw them away. If you’d like to avoid issues such as this, it’d be better to go with one of the natural pillow types mentioned above. Latex pillows are the best option for throw pillows that can be easily recycled.

Memory Foam Throw Pillows

Memory foam is another material that’s commonly used in throw pillows. This pillow type is so ubiquitous that it deserves a mention outside of just being lumped in with synthetic pillows. Memory foam throw pillows aren’t recyclable in a traditional sense. Foam products can be used to make other types of foam products, but the quality will degrade over time.

So it’s not financially sensible to recycle memory foam pillows. It’s easier and better to just make a new pillow. Sadly, memory foam pillows will wind up in landfills after they have become too old to be used. Typically, memory foam pillows will last for around ten years when taken care of well.

Check out: Recycled Foam Pillows

Choose Throw Pillows Wisely

Choosing throw pillows wisely is important when you care about recycling. If you want to have a simple time recycling throw pillows, it’s best to buy only latex throw pillows. These are generally regarded as the easiest to recycle. Cotton throw pillows can sometimes be recycled as well, but it won’t always be easy to find places that take cotton.

Synthetic throw pillows and memory foam pillows won’t be recyclable via traditional means. Memory foam can be reused to make other memory foam products, but it isn’t practical. So synthetic pillows and memory foam options will be poor choices when you wish to recycle. Try to choose eco-friendly pillows if that’s something that’s important to you.

Recycling Alternatives

Recycling alternatives do exist. You can try to reuse the pillows in certain ways. For instance, you could use old pillows to make dog beds or cushions. It’s also possible to donate old pillows to thrift stores, shelters, and charity organizations.

Some choose to compost pillows that are made out of natural materials. Latex and natural cotton can be composted if you cut them up into small pieces. So you have some options when you want to get rid of old pillows. Consider which recycling alternatives will make the most sense in your situation.

Final Thoughts

It should be possible to recycle many different types of throw pillows. If you have many throw pillows that you no longer want, you can look into which ones can be recycled. Latex throw pillows and some cotton throw pillows will be recyclable, but it might not always be easy to find a recycling center to take cotton. Most synthetic options will be difficult to recycle.

You can also try to reuse the pillows in various ways instead of throwing them away. Many people like to use old pillows to create new things, such as cushions. When buying throw pillows in the future, you can always choose to buy the options that are the easiest to recycle. Having the right knowledge makes it easier to put yourself in a good position.

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