Committee Formed to Help Recyclers Deal with Tomorrow’s Mattresses
To foster innovation, cooperation and communication between mattress manufacturers, component suppliers and mattress recyclers, MRC formed the New Materials Committee. The committee’s objectives are to identify end-of-life challenges posed by new products and materials, advise MRC on anticipated long-term changes in product mix and raise industry awareness about how design and marketing decisions can affect recycling. Through the committee’s work, MRC can help recyclers adapt the deconstruction process, prepare to handle new materials and improve forecasting of material volume.
The founding members represent the foam, textile and metal industries and include MRC board members, Sabrina Kilmer, William T. Burnett & Co., and William Moore, Jones Family of Companies. Other members include Rhiannon Burch Hallam, BekaertDeslee; Scott Pugh, Carpenter Company; Stephen Brabandt, Hickory Springs; Jason Jewett, Leggett & Platt; Bhavesh Patel, Rayonese Textile; and Mike Quinn, Talalay.
The committee held its first meeting this past fall and will reconvene following ISPA EXPO.
MRC’s 2022 Board of Directors
- Doug Guffey (chair), director of sales, Hickory Springs Manufacturing
- Richard Diamonstein, managing director, Paramount Sleep
- Michael Doggett, senior vice president, Serta Simmons Bedding
- Thomas Gioiella, vice president of operations, Mattress Firm
- Mason Hallett, sales development, Creative Ticking
- Sabrina Kilmer, specialty account representative, William T. Burnett & Co.
- Mark S. Jones, president and CEO, Hickory Springs Manufacturing
- Jon Larsen, president, Sound Sleep Products
- William Moore, director of sales operations, Jones Family of Companies
- Joe Paviglianti, executive vice president, Southerland Inc.
- Shana Rocheleau, vice president of strategy, BedGear Performance Bedding
- Karsten Siewert, USA sales representative, Enkev Group
- Patrique Vielle, sourcing program manager, Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
- Al Klancnik, independent consultant, (Ex-Officio Board Member)
- Ryan Trainer, president, International Sleep Products Association
- Catherine Lyons, CFO, ISPA
Mattress Industry
Four Ways Retailers Can Promote Mattress Recycling
MRC’s Marketing & Communications Department provides retailers with free customer education resources. These materials explain the purpose of the recycling program and fee and connects customers with local recycling information. Here are four easy ways retailers can take advantage of these free resources.
- Try our digital badge: This can be used on your website, in newsletters, in customer emails or social media and linked back to the Bye Bye Mattress website. Request the image today.
- Use the posters and information cards: Display the posters in your store or near check out areas. Include the information card with the receipt. Fill out this form to receive your free materials.
- Plan for Earth Day: Observed annually on April 22, Earth Day is a great time to tell your customers about your sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. Customers from five or 10 years ago may be looking for a new mattress and wondering what to do with their old one. MRC can provide suggested language and images for customer communications.
- Add to your expertise: If periodically reminding your customers about mattress care and sleep health is part of your customer relationship building strategy, consider adding recycling information to this content.
Contact our Marketing & Communications Department for more information.
We’re Taking a Load Off Mattress Retailers
Through MRC’s Commercial Volume Program (CVP), retailers in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island have options for recycling unwanted mattresses. In each state, retailers have access to no-cost drop-off locations or may qualify to receive pick-up and transportation. Learn more at ByeByeMattress.com/Commercial-Recycling.
Collection Network
Efficiently Packed Containers
MRC transports over 15,000 loads of mattresses every year! We are encouraging collection sites to fully pack our containers to reduce our environmental footprint with fewer trips, lower costs and more reliable service from our transporters. The most common container is a 53-foot trailer, which holds at least 125 units. Please reference our stacking guidelines and stacking video to train/refresh staff.
Research
MRC Seeks Proposals to Use Mattress Foam to Cleanup Oil Spills
MRC is seeking research proposals that use post-consumer mattress foam in oil absorption applications. Surface modified virgin polyurethane foams have been successfully used in oil spill cleanup and other oil absorbing applications. Unfortunately, economics do not favor widespread use. MRC would like to learn whether the technical performance and economics of using post-consumer materials are beneficial to potential end users. Interested parties will find more information on our website.
Mattress Foam Can Be Used in New Foam and Concrete Products
MRC contracted with UCLA and released the results of a pair of 18-month studies in December.
In the first study, researchers determined the upcycled polyurethane foam can be combined with naturally occurring zeolite minerals to produce high strength composites with properties comparable to ordinary Portland cement. The composites have better flexural strength and crack resistance and may be suitable for use in cast concrete and other products such as concrete sound barriers, benches, etc. An added benefit is that zeolite concretes consume less energy than traditional concrete production methods.
In the second study, UCLA researchers demonstrated the viability of upcycled polyurethane products, obtained from mattress foam, as a partial replacement for virgin polyol chemicals in the production of new foam products. A posted executive summary provides a complete overview of both studies.
New Collection Sites
Welcome Woodfords Washoe Wellness Center
MRC is thrilled to welcome the Washoe Tribe as our first collection site in Alpine County, California! Mattresses are accepted for recycling by appointment only.
96 Washoe Blvd. Building D
Markleeville, California 96120
Visit their locator listing for more information.
Upcoming Events
Northeast Furniture Market
Feb. 6 – Feb 8
New Jersey Convention Center
Find MRC in space 544
https://nefurnituremarket.com/
Zero Waste San Diego
Feb. 8
Virtual
Look for Southern Program Coordinator Tyler Douthitt. He’ll be giving a short presentation.
Feb. 8
Virtual
Look for Southern Program Coordinator Tyler Douthitt. He’ll be giving a short presentation.
Connecticut Council of Small Towns Annual Town Meeting
Feb. 8
Aqua Turf, Plantsville CT
Visit Northeast Program Coordinator Dan McGowan at our booth.
https://www.ctcost.org/meetings-events/pages/annual-town-meeting
ISPA EXPO
March 8-10
Orlando, FL
Among the keynote speakers is Andrew Dent, one of the world’s leading authorities on materials in design. MRC will be one of more than 195 exhibitors and we are excited about all the opportunities we have to talk about mattress circularity and recycling with the thousands of attendees.