We’re looking forward to ISPA EXPO, catch up on our latest research and learn how to leverage our pre-made content for Earth Day!
Mattress Industry
ISPA EXPO Excitement
March 8-10, MRC will be in Orlando with thousands of mattress industry leaders. As the world’s largest tradeshow exclusively for the sleep products industry, ISPA EXPO is an important opportunity for MRC to discuss sustainability and circularity with manufacturers and component suppliers. Please join us for the following:
March 8 at 3pm – We’ve got big news!
We’ll be celebrating our current achievements and announcing our latest results. Drop by MRC’s booth #2717 for light refreshments and learn how mattress recycling works in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
March 9 at 8am – Materials Innovation…Changing the World
We will be front row for this Wednesday morning keynote delivered by Dr. Andrew Dent, a frequent speaker on sustainable and innovative material strategies. He’s currently the Executive Vice President of Materials Research at Material ConneXion which specializes in helping companies source materials that enhance the performance, aesthetic, and sustainability of their products.
March 9 from 9-10am – Learn about our Sleep Products Sustainability Program
Following Dent’s keynote presentation, head to MRC’s booth #2717 to learn about this no-cost certification program for California mattress manufacturers. Our SP2 team would love to meet you.
March 10: Exploring the Exhibit Hall
We can’t wait to see the latest innovations and technology from global mattress producers and engage in conversations that help us realize new possibilities and perspectives.
There’s lots more to see and do. View the full schedule here.
We’re Taking a Load Off Hotels
Through MRC’s Commercial Volume Program (CVP), hotels in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island have options for recycling unwanted mattresses. In each state, hotels have access to no-cost drop-off locations and may qualify for no-cost pick-up and transportation. Learn more at ByeByeMattress.com/Commercial-Recycling.
Collection Network
Sprucing up recycling information for Earth Day?
Many of you are using Earth Day to remind residents about what to recycle and how to do it properly. We’ve got a pile of content to help you talk about mattress recycling.
- Social media – Select a post from our content library – California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. We can help with an image to accompany the post, just email us at info@byebyemattress.com.
- Press release – Generate media coverage about the success of your mattress collection efforts. We have templates crafted for each state – California, Connecticut or Rhode Island.
- See how this has worked for places like Yolo County and City of Sacramento.
You can check out more ideas by reviewing our publicity toolkit.
Research
MRC Renews Call for Innovative Use of Recycled Materials
MRC continues to seek ideas for diversifying and growing end markets for mattress materials. Since 2018, MRC has awarded more than $750,000 to projects using hard-to-recycle mattress components in new applications and reformulated products. A new open-ended RFP seeking creative research proposals is now circulating and MRC encourages interested parties to submit an abstract for review.
Secondary Markets Limited for Post-Consumer Foundation Wood
A MRC-funded study, released in January, explored alternative markets for foundation wood without great success. The most promising new market was particle board; however, the pilot test load contained too much metal contamination for the buyer. MRC will rerun the test in 2022 if a cleaner foundation wood feedstock is sourced. In addition to the particle board industry, the study explored using foundation wood in the manufacturing of medium density fiberboard, wood pellets, fire logs, pallets, animal bedding and oriented strand board. One alternative suggested in the study is that California recyclers diversify their markets and reduce transportation costs by investing in shredders.
Study Profiles Discarded Mattress Sizes and Types
In 2021, MRC commissioned a project to identify the frequency and proportion of mattresses and foundations of the most common sizes and unit types received by the California mattress recycling program. The study provides valuable statistics on the percentage of mattress sizes (king, queen, full, twin), and unit types (all foam, inner-spring, futon, foundation). The data from this project will serve MRC’s goals of better understanding the recycling materials stream and tracking changes in it over time. The data is also important for mattress recyclers to extrapolate the time required to dismantle each unit type and the inherent value of the component parts. This study will be repeated in coming years.
New Collection Sites
Welcome Quality Padilla
4650 Ardine St.
Cudahy, CA 90201
They are located in Los Angeles County, California and accept mattresses for recycling from residents and business Monday-Friday 7 am – 4 pm. Visit their locator listing for more details.
Upcoming Events
ISPA EXPO
March 8-10
Orlando, FL
Website: www.ispaexpo.com
EXPO is the largest bedding show in North America and is hosted bi-annually by the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). MRC will be one of more than 195 exhibitors and we are excited to talk about mattress circularity and recycling with the thousands of attendees.
ISRI 2022
March 21-24
Las Vegas, NV
Website: https://www.isri.org/
ISRI will return to an in-person format in 2022, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.