Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mattress Recycling Council’s latest data shows that the Bye Bye Mattress program continues to excel in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Since these state programs began, more than 8 million mattresses have been collected, resulting in more than 300 million pounds of material diverted from the waste stream. In as little as five years, this industry-led nonprofit has put the United States at the forefront of mattress recycling. MRC’s Managing Director Mike O’Donnell explains what has made the mattress industry’s effort so successful and what MRC plans to accomplish next. Read the article here.
Mattress Industry
Commercial Volume Program Takes a Load Off Retailers
MRC’s Commercial Volume Program (CVP) collected more units in 2020 than in previous years. This accomplishment is outstanding, considering the supply chain challenges of a global pandemic. With commercial sources contributing 20% of MRC’s volume, the mattress industry’s support and participation have been critical to this success.
In California, 32 new sites accepting commercial volume joined the collection network in 2020, a 46% increase from the previous year. Additionally, as collection site contracts come up for renewal, MRC staff are working hard to make sure they accept loads from small retailers at no cost. Currently, there are more than 100 locations in California that accept commercial volumes. View a complete list here.
The Connecticut and Rhode Island Bye Bye Mattress programs have collectively recycled more than 1 million mattresses. Of those, more than 200,000 were collected from mattress retailers. Among the first to recycle with the program in Connecticut was Jordan’s Furniture. “Many times, our customers will return their used bedding when they purchase a new mattress. This means that several hundred mattresses and foundations are returned to our Jordan’s facilities daily. The CVP provided a much needed consistent and reliable outlet to recycle this bedding.” Steve Padenski, DC Operations Manager at Jordan’s Furniture shared his appreciation for the program, “It is a fantastic program that allows Jordan’s the opportunity to know that used bedding that is returned from our customers is being properly recycled.”
In addition to making it easy for the mattress retailers to drop off at designated locations, MRC has worked hard to expand its ability to pick-up large quantities of discarded mattresses. Don’t miss out on the benefits of using MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program.
Learn how the Commercial Volume Program works in your state.
Improve Customer Education with Bye Bye Mattress Digital Badge
As consumers research their next mattress purchase, they are likely visiting your website. Use our Bye Bye Mattress badge to introduce your customers to the program and the purpose of the recycling fee before they start the checkout process. Simply link the badge to ByeByeMattress.com
Email info@byebyemattress.com to request yours today.
March 31 is Last Day to Update Company Info Used in California Annual Report
Each year, MRC is required to publish company information about registered mattress retailers, producers or renovators in annual reports submitted to state regulatory agencies. For California’s report, we will publishing your information on file as of March 31, 2021. Please review your profile on MRCreporting.org for accuracy before this deadline.
For assistance, email support@mattressrecyclingcouncil.org.
Retailer Take Back: We’ve Got Resources for Understanding California’s AB 187
All retailers that deliver a new mattress to a consumer in California (including online sales) must offer to pick up a used mattress at no additional cost to the consumer. This may leave you with a lot of questions, so check out our
webinar and FAQs regarding recent amendments to California’s mattress recycling law through AB 187.
For more information, visit MRC’s Retailer Take Back page.
Collection Network
MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress Joins Fresno Students, Groups in Community Collection Event
Students involved in the Fresno YES! program wanted to clean up their neighborhood located in the 7th District of Fresno, so they brought together various community groups to collect mattresses, tires and e-waste. We joined the Central California Environmental Justice Network and the Fresno Local Conservation Corps to make it happen.
See us all in action on KSEE-TV.
Spread the word – Request the We Recycle Badge
Use our We Recycle Badge to signal that your site participates in the Bye Bye Mattress program. It is great for use online, in social media, for digital communications or even in printed materials like recycling guides or utility bill inserts.
Email info@byebyemattress.com to request yours today.
Data Due to CalRecycle by May 1, 2021
Mattress recyclers, solid waste facilities and mattress renovators must report 2020 data to CalRecycle by May 1, 2021.
See CalRecycle’s Mattress Annual Reporting webpage for more information.
Research
Covestro and MRC Host Event to find new uses for rebonded foam products
In February, a “Rebond Rebound” make-a-thon event was held by Covestro and MRC, with the intention of identifying new business models and end-use markets for bonded flexible polyurethane foam scrap, or rebond. Both groups view the Rebond Rebound event as a success. “Collaboration of this kind is fundamental to achieving both our organizations’ sustainability goals,” said Ryan Trainer, MRC President.
Read more here.
Read April BedTimes To Learn More About Current and Future Projects
The latest edition of BedTimes magazine takes a look at the latest research projects funded by the Mattress Recycling Council, including a waste characterization study that will categorize the 25% of materials that currently aren’t being recycled in California so that MRC can better understand the obstacles to recycling those components, and a lifecycle assessment that will help MRC determine the environmental footprint of the entire mattress recycling process. The article also updates mattress manufacturers and suppliers on other MRC research efforts, including a project that led to the invention of a small-scale machine that can separate coils from the fabric in pocketed innerspring units to improve the recyclability of both materials.
Read the full article here.
We are Looking for Innovators – Open RFPs
MRC has two funding opportunities available. One is for creative proposals which demonstrate the potential to use hard-to-recycle mattress components in new applications and products as well as in reformulated products. The other is for equipment or infrastructure improvements for existing or new California mattress collection sites.
Visit our RFP page for more details.
New Collection Sites
Welcome Boron Landfill
11400 Boron Ave.
Boron, California 93516 Visit their listing on the Bye Bye mattress website for more details.
Upcoming Events
NERC’s Spring Conference
March 30-31
Website: www.nerc.org
NERC’s 2021 virtual spring conference will focus on the most timely topics in the source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and green purchasing industry sectors. As part of the U.S. Extended Producer Responsibility Program Update panel, MRC’s Marie Clarke will present on the success of our Northeast programs and the benefits of a regional approach to mattress recycling. The session will be held on Wednesday, March 31, at 4:00 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Market
April 11 – 15
Website: www.lasvegasmarket.com
We will miss seeing you at our booth! Please email us to connect and learn more about our many programs and resources.
California Illegal Dumping Virtual Conference
April 21-23
Visit here.
Hosted by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and the Illegal Dumping Task Force, this free virtual conference will include topics such as best practices, lessons learned and success stories regarding education, eradication and enforcement of illegal dumping.