Can You Scrap A Trampoline Frame? [Feasible?]

If you have an old trampoline sitting out back for years unused, maybe it is time to get rid of it. You posted an ad on craigslist with pictures and all and are hoping to sell it off within a few days. But weeks pass, and nobody seems to be interested in taking it off your hands.

Well, the good news is, you can sell it off in a scrapyard or recycle it. It may not pay as much, but you still get a few dollars for something that is just sitting in your backyard without use.

Thinking of scrapping your old trampoline frame? Give this article a read first.

Can You Scrap a Trampoline Frame?

People grow up, and as they get older, they often can’t make time for things that once kept them entertained. One such thing that kids enjoy in their childhood is a trampoline.

Check Upper bounce vs skywalker

So, once you outgrow your trampoline, you can scrap the frame without an issue. You don’t have to throw it away. You can always get some value from it.

Now I will never outgrow my trampoline, that much I know for certain. I have had one in my childhood, and now that I have grown up, I still have one in my backyard for the kids and myself. But I have to admit, a lot of people do outgrow their trampolines once they grow up.

If you are left with an old, unused trampoline that you want to get rid of, your first idea should be to try and sell it off. But if for whatever reason, you can’t seem to find a buyer, you can, of course, sell it off in a scrapyard. Trampoline frames and other components are often accepted as scrap metal in recycling centers.

In this article, I will talk more on this subject and help you understand whether scraping your trampoline frame is an idea that you can get behind.

---

Can All Trampoline Parts be Recycled?

A trampoline can be broken down into three major component pieces, the frame, the jumping mat, and the springs. And all of these parts are recyclable. Let me talk about the parts individually to give you a better idea of the recycling process.

---

Can Trampoline Frames be Recycled?

These days most trampoline frames are made using galvanized steel which is highly corrosion-resistant. They are designed to withstand any weather conditions since most people like to keep their trampolines outside most of the time. Without exposure to chlorine or extreme moisture levels, the frames should not rust.

Check Square vs rectangle trampoline

This durability makes it extremely important to recycle trampoline frames instead of simply throwing them out. In natural conditions, the frames will not deteriorate and keep polluting the environment.

The easiest way to recycle trampoline frames is to take them to your local scrapyard. If the total weight of the frame components meets the minimum weight of the scrapyard, you can sell it for some quick cash.

Alternatively, you can also take it to a metal recycling center if there is one nearby. However, keep in mind that many of the local recycling centers do not support metal recycling. So, it is always a good idea to contact them over the phone before you take it over.

---

Can Trampoline Mats be Recycled?

Trampoline mats can either be made from polyethylene or nylon, and thankfully you can recycle both materials in your local recycling center. Polyethylene mats, in particular, are extremely easy to recycle as most recycling centers will not hesitate to take them off your hands.

Polyethylene is made out of plastic and can typically take around four hundred years to degrade on its own. Without recycling it, it will stay in the landfill polluting the environment. And as it breaks down on its own, it also releases a lot of toxic fumes into the environment polluting it further.

As a concerned citizen, you should always recycle it properly if you want to do your part to keep the environment clean. Even when materials like polyethylene break down, it leaves microplastics in the environment, which can make their way to an underground water body.

Check What to put under a trampoline

Eventually, it will make its way to the sea and toxify the marine ecosystem. Taking your polyethylene trampoline mat to the recycling center when it is time to dispose of it is the safest way. They will get rid of it in a way that does not harm the environment.

Nylon, while not as harmful or impactful as polyethylene, is still worth recycling as it is also made out of plastic. Improper disposal of nylon mats can also cause harm to the environment, although the effect is much less severe.

Since nylon is also a commonly recycled material, there is a good chance that your local recycling center will accept it. Just to be on the safe side, I would recommend contacting them first before you set off with your trampoline mat.

Check How to clean bird poop off trampoline

And on the off chance that they are not willing to take your nylon trampoline mat off your hands, you can use a recycling locator to find a suitable center for your needs.

---

Can Trampoline Springs be Recycled?

Trampoline springs, similar to the frames, are typically made using galvanized steel or an alloy of some sort. And thankfully, these are widely accepted as recycling materials.

Firstly, you can take them to your local metal recycling center and get them recycled. Of course, you should talk to the authorities before you take it over since not all recycling centers accept metal. But most do, so this should not be too much of a big deal.

You can also take it to the scrapyard and sell it for cash. If you are feeling particularly generous, you can also donate it. As long as it meets the minimum weight requirement of the scrapyard, you can make a fair bit of cash with this route.

Keep in mind, though, some trampolines feature bungee rope springs instead of metal springs. And if your trampoline has bungee ropes, then you cannot recycle it. Thankfully, the material itself is biodegradable and does not affect the environment negatively. So, you can just toss them in the garbage if they get damaged.

---

Can I Sell my Trampoline for Scrap Metal?

Yes, selling your old trampoline frame materials for scrap metal is a common practice. If there is a local scrapyard in your area, you can contact them to get a quotation on prices. But the total weight of the frame must meet the minimum weight requirements for the specific scrapyard.

---

Is Trampoline Metal Worth Anything?

Trampolines can either feature stainless steel, iron, or aluminum metal in their construction. And while aluminum metal might be worth a fair few bucks, stainless steel or iron frame will not give you too much return. Still, something is better than nothing, and if your trampoline is just sitting there unused, scrapping it is a valid idea.

---

How Much Can You Get for Scrapping a Trampoline?

When you are selling your trampoline for scrap metal, it is important to manage your expectations. I know what you are thinking; you spend 500 to 1000 bucks for your trampoline, and you should get at least half of that when you scrap it. However, it rarely works that way.

Selling for scrap does not yield that big of a return. Scrap metal, being unwanted metal, does not give you a lot of money. And if the metal is common, such as the ones found on most trampolines, it is worth even less.

Most trampoline frames are made of steel or iron, which is extremely common. For stainless steel or iron metals, you will get around 40 to 50 cents per pound when you sell them as scrap.

However, if your trampoline has aluminum frames, you might get a bigger return. Aluminum scrap metals give you around 60 to 90 cents per pound which can lead to a bigger return for the total weight of the frame.

The real return of scrap metal comes with valuable metals like copper or brass. For instance, selling brass metal at a scrapyard will give you around 1.80 dollars per pound, while copper can yield around 1 to 2.95 dollars per pound. Needless to say, it is a whole lot more compared to stainless steel or aluminum scrap metal.

---

The Bottom Line

A trampoline can help you create a lot of memories. But the sad truth is there is a good chance that it will become an unwanted yard toy once everyone grows up. Once that happens, you would be better off giving it away or selling it off for scrap metal.

Sure, it may not pay much, but you will free up your yard for something else. And by scraping and disposing of it properly, you will be doing your part to keep the environment free of harmful junk. Making a small bit of cash in the process never hurts either.

So, if you have an unwanted trampoline sitting in your backyard that you want to get rid of or replace, consider recycling it. There is absolutely no reason for it to keep sitting there, adding to the landfill. Good luck!