MRC Highlights October 2019 Issue

MRC News

Governor Newsom Signs AB 187 into Law, Expanding MRC Program in California

California has now enacted Assembly Bill 187 (AB 187), which amends the state’s existing mattress recycling law and expands access for California residents to MRC’s already successful statewide mattress recycling network.

The amendment will improve MRC’s California program by: adding futon mattresses to the products that MRC will recycle in California (and that are subject to recycling fees) as of Jan. 1, 2020; and requiring companies that sell mattresses through the Internet and deliver them by common carrier to offer to pick up discarded mattresses from their customers at no added charge as of Jan. 1, 2021. AB 187 makes a number of other changes that affect how MRC administers its California program but will have no direct impact on how mattress manufacturers, retailers and consumers interact with MRC and its California mattress recycling program.

MRC will inform program participants and potential new registrants of next steps to comply with the new requirements. Since the program’s inception in 2016, more than 4 million mattresses have been recycled in California, diverting more than 140 million pounds away from landfills. MRC thanks Governor Newsom, the bill’s co-authors Assembly Members Bigelow and Garcia, and all those who supported efforts to make a good program even better in California.

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MRC Announces Sleep Products Sustainability Program (SP2) for California Manufacturers

MRC recently announced the launch of the Sleep Products Sustainability Program (SP2). The program is designed to help mattress manufacturers proactively reduce waste and energy consumption while increasing operational efficiencies. The training is offered at no-cost to eligible California-based mattress manufacturers. To learn more about participating the program, click here.

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MRC Submits 2018-19 Connecticut & Rhode Island Annual Reports

MRC submitted its 2018-19 Connecticut Annual Report to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on Oct. 15 and the 2018-19 Rhode Island report to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) on October 1.

Connecticut Highlights
In four years, the program has collected 680,000 mattresses for recycling and coordinated with 239 other public and private entities to recycle through the program. There have been 11,155 tons of material diverted from disposal and 139 collection locations established statewide.

Rhode Island Highlights
During the reporting period, 103,807 mattresses were collected and 1,607 tons of material were recycled. 37 of 39 municipalities have access to the program and service has been extended to 140 other entities and small bulky waste haulers. 88 percent of the state’s solid waste service providers continue to participate, exceeding the goal by 8 percent.

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Check Out the ByeByeMattress.com Refresh and New Look

We have revamped our Bye Bye Mattress website and locator to be more user friendly and helpful for everyone. Users will notice our recently launched Commercial Volume page that assists commercial entities with recycling mattresses collected from their customers. We have also added a Municipal Pickup page to help residents find information on local city or county curbside pickup options. Other updates include refreshers to the state-specific pages and the ease of finding recycling facilities outside of the participating states. Click here to check out all the new updates!

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Research

MRC Announces Contracts Awarded

Lean Manufacturing Assessment Contract – MRC seeks to continually increase the efficiency of our recyclers and provide means to improve throughput and recycling rates.  MRC contracted with MWS & Associates to provide on-site Lean Manufacturing assessments of its network of California recycling facilities. Lean is a methodology that helps facilities systematically eliminate waste, achieve higher work quality, improve safety and worker morale, reduce costs, shorten lead times and increase both customer satisfaction and profitability.To learn more, click here.

Pocket Coils Recycling Contract – Pocket coils have proven to be one of the most challenging components to process in mattress recycling operations. In an effort to improve overall mattress recycling and create added revenue for recyclers, MRC sought requests for proposals for alternative solutions to better separate the coils from the fabric. Knoble Design developed a novel process and has been awarded the contract for this project. For more details, click here.

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WANTED: Proposals for California Transportation and Logistics Study

MRC is seeking experienced logistics and supply chain consultants to evaluate the current performance of its transportation system and to identify opportunities to improve efficiency. For more details and to apply, click here.

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In the Community

Bye Bye Mattress Hosting Free Fall Mattress Collection Events

MRC is teaming up with the California EPA’s Environmental Justice Task Force to host mattress recycling events aimed at increasing program participation and avoiding illegal dumping in and around Stockton, Calif. A series of collection events are planned throughout the month for residents to drop off their mattresses for free.

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Upcoming Events

Look for MRC if you are attending any of these upcoming events:

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For Retailers

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For Collection Site & Event Hosts

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Recyclers in Your Area

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