2025
10 Year Impact Report
The Mattress Recycling Council is celebrating a decade of success in statewide mattress recycling by commemorating the launch of its Connecticut program. As the first of its kind in the country, it paved the way for additional programs in California, Rhode Island, and Oregon.
Over the past 10 years, MRC has recycled over 15 million mattresses and kept more than 575 million pounds of materials out of landfills. This report highlights MRC’s continuing efforts in innovation, promoting environmental stewardship, and fostering sustainability in the industry.
Building on a decade of success,
the Mattress Recycling Council contributes to a sustainable future by developing
and implementing innovative mattress recycling solutions.
It started with a mattress.
How We Got Here
Every movement starts somewhere. Learn how the industry’s growing concerns about waste and sustainability led to the creation of MRC. View the timeline for key moments and perspectives.
One From Many
Over the past decade, our state programs have accomplished key milestones. By successfully recycling over 575 million pounds of mattress components, they have repurposed valuable materials while conserving landfill space. Discover their individual impact.
Up to 75% of a mattress
is recyclable
100 million pounds of foam recycled.
288 million pounds of steel recycled.
86 million pounds of wood recycled.
68 million pounds of quilt toppers recycled.
Breaking it Down:
A Timeline of Mattress Manufacturing and Recycling
1920-1980s
The innerspring mattresses introduced.
Latex foam mattresses are developed.
Polyurethane foam is introduced as an alternative to latex.
The box spring foundation becomes popular.
Coil-based support system popularized.
The first Earth Day celebrated in 1970.
Memory foam developed by NASA and later adapted for mattresses.
Adjustable beds now widely available.
1990s
1992
ISPA sponsored an experimental program in Baltimore to shred mattresses at a tire recycling facility.
1994
A joint mattress disposal project was launched with the U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Prison Industries, recycling mattresses into component materials.
Verlo Mattress Co. started the National Outcycle Environmental Program to process mattresses taken from factory-direct retailers.
2000
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County pioneered mattress recycling in Oakland, CA, opening the first facility under the name DR3 Recycling.
2007
The boxed bedding concept introduced.
2010s
Hybrid mattresses, combining innerspring coils with foam layers, become popular.
2013
Legislatures in Connecticut, California and Rhode Island passed ISPA-supported legislation establishing statewide mattress recycling programs.
2014
ISPA created the Mattress Recycling Council to manage the recycling programs. MRC began crafting and submitting program plans to state regulatory agencies and received its first approval from Connecticut just before ringing in the New Year.
2015
MRC launched its first program in Connecticut on May 1, 2015. California’s launch followed in late December.
There are now more than 50 mattress recyclers in the U.S. and Canada.
2016
MRC began Rhode Island’s program on
May 1, 2016.
By the end of the year, MRC eclipsed 1 million mattresses recycled from across its three state programs.
2019
MRC recycled more than 5 million mattresses.
2020s
MRC launched the Sleep Products Sustainability Program for California manufacturing facilities and ISPA began offering an annual Sustainability Conference.
The development of cooling technologies in mattresses was introduced.
2022
Oregon passes legislation to establish a mattress recycling program.
MRC has recycled more than 10 million mattresses.
2025
MRC begins recycling Oregon mattresses.
MRC has recycled 15 million mattresses.
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