MRC News
MRC’S Bye Bye Mattress Program Surpasses Five Million Mattresses Recycled In California
We are proud to announce that MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program has recycled five million mattresses in the state of California since the program began in 2016. Fun fact: if these mattresses were laid end-to-end they would span nearly 6,000 miles – enough to build a bridge from California to Hawaii and back!
By recycling these units, Bye Bye Mattress has helped California save more than 6 million cubic yards of landfill space. “California is a global leader in mattress recycling, as evidenced by this significant achievement,” said Mike O’Donnell, managing director of MRC. To read more, click here.
MRC 2020 Board of Directors Announced
Welcome and thank you to our 2020 Board of Directors, who generously share their time and expertise to ensure that MRC continues to be a leader in mattress recycling and sustainability:
Doug Guffey (Board Chair) – Strategic Accounts Manager, Serta Simmons Bedding LLC
Richard Diamonstein – Managing Director, Paramount Sleep
Mason Hallet – Vice President of Sales, North America, Tricots-Liesse Knitting
Sabrina Hernandez – Specialty Account Representative, William T. Burnett & Co.
Mark S. Jones – President and CEO, HSM
Al Klancnik – (Ex-Officio Board Member)
Jon Larson – President of Sound Sleep Products
William Moore – Director of Sales Operations, Jones Fiber Products, Inc.
Don Pflug – Executive Vice President of Operations, Southerland, Inc.
Ron Richmond – Vice President of Taxation, Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC
Shana Rocheleau – Vice President of Strategy, BedGear
David Spencer – Director of Warehouse Operations, Mattress Firm
Patrique Vielle – Senior Indirect Sourcing Program Manager, Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
Catherine Lyons – Chief Financial Officer, International Sleep Products Association (ISPA)
Ryan Trainer – President of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA)
Photos of our board members and the full press release can be found on MRC’s website.
Come See us at the Las Vegas Winter Market
MRC will be at the Las Vegas Winter Market January 25-29. Please look for us in the:
Home Furnishing Association’s
Retailer Resource Center
Building B, B-1050
Space 25
Industry Communications Specialist Paris Gholston will answer questions related to the fee, reporting and payment obligations, as well as recent updates to the program in California. Customer education materials will also be available for your convenience.
Program and Logistics Coordinator Joy Broussard coordinates commercial volume pickup options for California retailers, hotels and universities and is available to answer questions and enroll new participants.
See you there!
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REMINDER: Futons Added to MRC Program in Calif. as of Jan. 1; Distributors Must Register
On Jan.1, futons were added to the mattress recycling program in California and are now subject to recycling fees and accepted at MRC recyclers. The $10.50 fee and recycling obligations apply only to the futon mattress, not to the futon frame or base. New signage is being provided to every collection site in California to reflect this update. Watch your mail and please update your signage promptly! If you have additional questions, please contact the California program coordinator for your area shown here.
In addition, if you or your company distributes mattresses to retailers or other sellers that will ultimately be sold to end users, you must update your registration on MRCreporting.org no later than March 1, 2020 indicating that you are a distributor. Distributors are not required to remit fees or report sales. For instructions on how to update your registration, click here.
Research
MRC Awards Funding for Improvements to California Mattress Collection Sites
MRC recently awarded $192,000 in grant funding to 24 mattress collection sites throughout California. These funds will be used for infrastructure improvements or equipment purchases to increase the recyclability of discarded mattresses and box springs by providing weather protection, or to achieve other efficiencies such as lowering costs and improving safety.
This is the second round of MRC grants to mattress collection sites, with both the number of applicants and awards doubling since Cycle 1. See the full list of Cycle 2 awardees here.
MRC Teams Up With Group 50 Consulting for Transportation Feasibility Study
MRC and Group 50, a consulting firm with global supply chain expertise, have announced a 16-week project to examine the costs and processes involved with transporting mattresses for recycling. Transportation currently accounts for up to 20% of MRC’s operational costs. MRC is excited about this partnership and finding efficiencies that would offer significant value to the overall success of the mattress recycling program.
Upcoming Events
Look for MRC if you are attending any of these upcoming events:
Winter Las Vegas Market
January 26 – 30, 2020
Las Vegas, NV
Learn More
Connecticut Recyclers Coalition Annual Meeting
January 30, 2020
Hartford, CT
Learn More
Northeast Furniture & Accessory Market
February 2 – 4, 2020
Edison, NJ
Learn More
ISPA Expo
March 18 – 20, 2020
New Orleans, LA
Learn More
For Retailers
Customer Education Materials
For Collection Site & Event Hosts
Recyclers in Your Area
California
Businesses need to make arrangements directly with recyclers. Those with at least 100 units may contact Joy Broussard for Commercial Volume Pickup.
Connecticut & Rhode Island
Businesses should contact our Northeast Program Coordinator Dan McGowan for arrangements.
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