More than 82,000 mattresses collected and 1,271 tons of material recycled in fourth year of operations
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In its annual report to Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) described its latest achievements, improvements and progress made toward meeting performance goals. Chief among them is the expansion of the statewide collection network that collected 82,549 mattresses and recycled 1,271 tons of material including steel, foam, wood and fibers.
Since its 2016 launch, MRC has recruited dozens of municipal transfer stations, waste haulers, nonprofit organizations, mattress retailers, hotels, universities, and hospitals to build a statewide recycling program. Known as Bye Bye Mattress, the program recycles mattresses and box springs from both residents and commercial sources at no-cost. There are now collection sites or events in 37 of Rhode Island’s 39 municipalities and the program’s recyclers receive units from 169 Rhode Island-based public and private entities.
“We provide Rhode Island with an exceptional program that is keeping mattresses out of the landfill and off streets, alleys and other public spaces that are often targets of illegal dumping,” said MRC’s Managing Director Mike O’Donnell. “It’s conserving resources, creating jobs and taking proactive measures to address future challenges.”
The report also highlights MRC’s investments in research to improve recycling processes and develop new applications for reclaimed component materials. Significant projects included conducting studies to identify new end markets, testing the physical properties of mattress components, and establishing collaborative industry relationship to create a circular economy for polyurethane foam.
For more about MRC’s impact on Rhode Island and to read the full report, visit mattressrecyclingcouncil.org/Programs/Rhode-Island/.
About the Mattress Recycling Council and Bye Bye Mattress
The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is a nonprofit organization that operates recycling programs in states that have passed mattress recycling laws: California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. MRC was founded by the bedding industry and recycles more than 1.5 million mattresses each year. For more information about MRC, go to mattressrecyclingcouncil.org. To learn how to recycle your mattress or to find a collection location or event near you, visit ByeByeMattress.com.
CONTACT: Amanda Wall
(571) 482-5431
awall@mattressrecyclingcouncil.org