It is peak season for mattress recycling and things are heating up. Catch MRC promoting the benefits of mattress recycling and our Sleep Products Sustainability Program at upcoming industry and recycling conferences and take time to read about our California program progress in the 2020 California Annual Report. MRC also just released a new RFP for Rhode Island recycling and consolidation services. Please forward this newsletter to your industry colleagues and encourage them to sign up for future newsletters!
Mattress Industry
Look for us at Vegas Market
The 2021 summer show will take place August 22-26. Look for us in HFA’s Retailer Resource Center in B1050. We’d love to hear your feedback and answer questions about mattress recycling, our current research projects, the Sleep Products Sustainability Program and so much more. Pick up some customer education materials too. More details here.
Stay Informed about SP2
Collection Network
MRC’s California Program Celebrates Five Years of Growth
MRC continues to lead the way in product stewardship in California. Our 2020 Annual Report, recently submitted to state officials, shows that despite disruptions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to grow Bye Bye Mattress while remaining focused on reducing illegal dumping and increasing convenience throughout the state.
View the full report here.
How-To Video Series: Northeast Collection Site Operations
The Northeast version of MRC’s latest “How To” video on Effective Collection Operations is now available. A Spanish version will be coming shortly. You can view it here.
New RFP – Rhode Island Mattress Recycling and Consolidation Services
MRC is requesting proposals for mattress recycling and consolidation services for the state of Rhode Island. This Request for Proposals (RFP) evaluates the costs and capabilities of interested companies to help MRC comply with RI General Law 23-90, which requires mattress manufacturers to create a statewide recycling program for discarded mattresses.
RFP submittals are due by August 27, 2021. View the details here.
Research
Mute Wall Announcement
Mute Wall Systems, a cutting-edge sound barrier producer, has developed a proprietary patented process utilizing post-consumer mattress materials inside their walls. The mattress material adds density, thereby increasing noise reduction, without adding excessive additional weight. One mile of 20 ft, sound barrier uses material from approximately 4,000 mattresses. Designed initially for highway and freeway use, Mute Wall’s innovative product can also be used to provide superior noise reduction for surrounding neighborhoods, schools, and businesses. For more information about purchasing the mute wall system, contact Mike Stealth, 1-800-273-4137 or visit their website.
Recycled Materials Market Development
MRC is seeking creative proposals which demonstrate the potential to use hard-to-recycle mattress components in new applications and products as well as in reformulated products. Interested parties are asked to complete a pre-application concept paper which describes their approach toward addressing this challenge. Applicants may submit pre-proposals at any time. Researchers whose concepts show merit will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Visit our RFP page for more details.
California Mattress Collection Facilities Improvement Funding
MRC is awarding up to $10,000 per collection site for equipment and infrastructure improvements that will better protect discarded mattresses and box springs to increase their recyclability or achieve other efficiencies such as lowering costs and improving safety. Previous funding cycles supported the construction of weather coverings and cement pads to protect mattress integrity, mobile loading ramps to help with transportation and storage, and additional storage space to house and protect mattresses. Eligible entities include new or existing mattress collection sites that are open to the public. Sites must be located in California. Applicants can be private companies, nonprofits or government entities.
Visit our RFP page for more details.
New Collection Sites
Welcome United Property Services, Inc.
1211 Flynn Rd, Suite 106, Camarillo, California 93012
Visit their listing on our locator.
Welcome Los Angeles County Public Works Road Maintenance District Yard 557
38126 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, California 93550
Visit their listing on our locator.
Welcome Richgrove Community Services District
20986 Grove Dr, Richgrove, California 93261
Visit their listing on our locator.
Upcoming Events
Resource Recycling Conference – Virtual Event
August 4-5
http://rrconference.com/
CRRA – 44th Annual Conference & Trade Show
August 16-19
https://www.crra.com/conference
We’ll be sharing how our program successfully navigated the challenges and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and how we are preparing for the future. Don’t miss Product Stewardship Programs Surviving COVID-19 on Thursday at 2:45pm pacific.
AHFA Presents: A Sustainability & Regulatory Summit
September 1-2
https://www.ahfa.us/event-template/2021-sustainability-regulatory-summit
Hear leaders from MRC and Pleasant Mattress discuss the Sleep Products Sustainability Program.