Mattress Industry
MRC Oregon Begins to Take Shape
The Mattress Recycling Council is moving forward with establishing a mattress recycling program in Oregon. The new law, SB 1576, requires mattress retailers, producers and renovators that are selling, offering for sale or distributing mattresses and foundations in Oregon to register with the stewardship organization by Dec. 31, 2022. MRC is updating its registration portal and will notify obligated parties soon. By Oct. 1, 2023, MRC will submit a comprehensive plan to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to implement the statewide mattress recycling program. Based on MRC’s projected timeline, the program is expected to begin in early 2024, provided that DEQ issues necessary regulatory approvals.
MRC Retailers Survey Now Underway
The 2022 MRC Retailer Survey is an important tool we use to gauge the effectiveness of our education and outreach activities. We also take this opportunity to update company and contact information for all MRC participants.
The online survey remains open until Aug. 1 and can be accessed through this link.
Telling the MRC Story
On Monday, MRC’s Managing Director Mike O’Donnell presented at the 42nd annual Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) conference, bringing together waste and recycling experts throughout the Pacific Northwest. Alongside a panel of four mattress recyclers, Mike presented on MRC’s progress since launching our first program in 2015. This follows his participation in a virtual panel presentation earlier this month at City Circulatory Week sponsored by the New York City Housing Authority.
Collection Network
Mattress Recycling Equipment Guide
MRC is frequently contacted by companies that manufacture or distribute equipment that is designed for processing mattresses and preparing commodities for secondary markets. As an informational service to the global recycling community, MRC has assembled a list of vendors featuring balers, shredders and box springs separators. This is a free resource that MRC will periodically update. Please contact MRC if you would like to add your company to the list.
Educational Facilities Turn to CVP for Mattress Disposal
MRC’s Commercial Volume Program is frequently contacted by educational institutions for assistance with recycling old mattresses. In 2021, more than 6,500 mattresses were recycled from college dormitories, off-campus housing and preparatory schools in our three program states.
In California, UC Berkeley is one of dozens of colleges that use the program, recycling 783 mattresses last year from among its 31,000 off-campus students. “Sustainability and zero waste are major goals of both the university and the city,” explained Jen Loy, UC Berkeley Associate Director, Government and Community Relations. In Connecticut, the private Woodstock Academy used the program for the first time in 2021 and recycled 60 mattresses from their student housing facility. The school’s mattress retailer connected the school with MRC to recycle the old mattresses . “We are happy they were recycled,” said John Rigney, Assistant Head of School for South Campus.
Learn more about CVP and how MRC can assist educational institutions to recycle their old mattresses.
Research
June 1st Deadline Approaches for 2 Research RFPs
A short time remains for researchers to submit pre-application proposals for two targeted MRC-funded research projects.
Textile Recycling RFP: MRC is looking for creative applications to explore new uses for post-consumer mattress textiles including mote cotton, spun bond polypropylene and shoddy felt. Pre-proposals are due by June 1.
Oil Absorbing Foam RFP: Federal research has shown common polyurethane foam can be successfully modified to absorb oil spills. Can used mattress foam also handle this task? If so, could it be an economical and practical replacement to virgin material? Pre-proposals are also due by June 1. MRC has allocated $100,000 for each project.
New Collection Sites
Welcome Tough Stuff Recycling
1372 Main St.
Coventry, RI 02816
Located in Kent County, this drop-off location is open to state residents, Monday – Friday 8 am – 2 pm. View their listing for more.
Welcome R5 Recycling
739 N. Georgia Ave.
Azusa, CA 91702
This recycling facility is in Los Angeles County and is open to businesses and residents, Monday – Saturday 8 am – 4 pm. This is an incentive payment location where residents can receive $3 per unit up to 5 units per day. View their listing for more.
Upcoming Events
GreenBiz Circularity Conference
May 17-19
Atlanta
MRC’s Sustainably Coordinator Kate Caddy is attending. View event info.
Zero Waste Faire & Sustainable Living Expo
June 5, 11 am – 4 pm
17 Wolfpit Road, Wilton, CT
MRC’s Northeast Program Coordinator Dan McGowan is attending. View event info.
Southern California Waste Management Forum
June 8, 9 am – 2 pm
8888 Los Coyotes Drive, Buena Park
MRC’s Mark Patti and Tyler Douthitt are staffing a booth. View event info