MRC News
Redesigned MRC Website Offers News, Resources and Best Practices
MRC’s website has been completely redesigned, offering the best in mattress recycling information and resources for industry professionals. “Whether you are looking for the latest news, policy updates, research announcements, best practices or resources you will find it at mattressrecyclingcouncil.org,” said Mike O’Donnell, MRC’s managing director.
MRC conducted a comprehensive site audit and stakeholder survey to guide planning and improve our understanding of key audiences. As a result, the updated site improves navigation while delivering critical information and compelling messaging. Submenus offer easy access to state-specific program information and provide quick links to MRC areas of focus. Not sure what you’re looking for? The entire site is searchable by key words and can be instantly translated into multiple languages.
“We are proud that our website is another example of how we are moving mattress recycling forward,” said O’Donnell. “Check it out today!”
Expanding to Serve You: MRC Welcomes New Staff, Announces Promotions
Now in its 6th year, MRC continues to expand its staff to meet the needs of our growing operations:
- Taylor Grimes has joined MRC as California Special Projects Coordinator, focusing on California’s annual report, illegally dumped mattresses and environmental justice. Taylor previously worked as an environmental consultant supporting solid waste strategic planning and legislative compliance.
- Georgia Sherman is a full-time program assistant supporting MRC operations across participating states. Previously, Georgia was MRC’s marketing and communications intern during her senior year at the University of California – Davis.
- Michael LaRussa has been promoted to Northern California Senior Program Coordinator.
- Mark Patti has been promoted to Southern California Senior Program Coordinator.
- MRC is seeking an experienced Supply Chain Manager who will be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring the efficiency and productivity of contracted mattress transport and recycling vendors. Apply today!
California
Take-Back Required for ALL New Mattress Deliveries in California as of Jan. 1, 2021
Starting Jan. 1, 2021 any retailer selling a mattress to a California consumer must offer to arrange to pick up a used mattress at no cost to the consumer regardless of sales format or delivery method. California AB 187 expands the existing take back requirement to include deliveries made by common carrier that were previously exempt. Read more here.
MRC will host a webinar, “California Mattress Recycling: What Retailers Need to Know,” on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 9 am PST / Noon EST to discuss these changes to the law, review retailer obligations and provide resources to assist with compliance. To participate, send an email with WEBINAR in the subject line and include your name, company and email. A recording of the presentation will be available on MRC’s website following the event. For more information, contact MRC at 1-855-229-1691.
MRC Expands Service in Orange County for Residents & Commercial Volume
By working with OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), three Orange County landfills are now participating in MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program. The department is recycling mattresses it collects through curbside bulky item pick up requests as well as those dropped off at the Frank R. Bowerman, Prima Deshecha and Olinda Alpha landfills. The three active landfills are among the largest in the state and receive more than 4 million tons of waste annually. Frank R. Bowerman landfill provides free drop-off for businesses only, while Prima Deshecha and Olinda Alpha are available to both businesses and residents. OCWR anticipates this will divert 15,000 mattresses each year from the landfills.
“We are pleased to collaborate with OCWR to divert mattresses from the Orange County waste stream. Our partnership boosts convenience and offers a valuable recycling option for both residents and businesses,” said Tyler Douthitt, one of MRC’s Southern California program coordinators. Read more here.
MRC Awards Another $82,000 for Mattress Collection Site Improvements
MRC has awarded another $82,000 to 11 California mattress collection sites to support equipment and infrastructure improvements to better protect discarded mattresses and box springs, increase recyclability, lower costs and improve safety. Projects approved under this third round of funding include the construction of weather coverings and cement pads to protect mattress integrity, forklifts to assist with quicker moving and loading of units and fencing to secure recycling areas. Projects are slated for completion by June 2021. For details, including a list of awardees, click here.
Northeast
Rhode Island and Connecticut 2019-20 Annual Reports Highlight Program Success
MRC submitted its 2019-20 annual reports for both Rhode Island and Connecticut this month, highlighting the latest improvements and progress achieved towards meeting program goals.
- In Rhode Island: 82,549 mattresses were collected during the reporting period, resulting in 1,271 tons of material recycled including steel, foam, wood and fibers. There are collection sites or events in 37 of 39 municipalities and the program’s recyclers also receive units from 169 public and private entities. Read the press release here or download the annual report here.
- In Connecticut: MRC’s recyclers achieved a 73% recycling rate, representing a 6-percentage point increase from the previous period and the largest year-over-year gain for the program since it began in 2015. Units collected totaled 189,492, resulting in the reclamation of 3,403 tons of steel, foam, fibers and wood. MRC’s comprehensive collection network provides coverage to 97.7% of the state’s residents. Read the press release here or download the annual report here.
Connecticut Mattress Recycling Fee to Increase to $11.75 on Jan. 1, 2021
On Jan. 1, 2021 the Connecticut mattress recycling fee will increase from $9 to $11.75 per unit for all mattresses and foundations sold in Connecticut. The fee is a flat per unit rate that applies to all sizes of mattresses and foundations. The fee is subject to sales tax. The recycling fee MUST appear as a separate line item on all receipts for a mattress or foundation, followed by the fee amount, whether sold in-store or online as required by state law. This change represents the first increase in the mattress recycling fee since the program began in 2015 and is necessitated by increased labor and operational expenses. Read more here.
Research
Report Highlights New Pocketed Coil Recycling Technology
MRC has completed a sponsored research project with Wisconsin-based Knoble Design to explore a novel approach for recycling pocketed coils, resulting in successful construction of a small-scale machine demonstrating the approach. Read more here.
Project findings are detailed in a final non-confidential report and demonstration video. “This is an important development for MRC’s research program and the advancement of pocketed coil recycling, resulting in the creation of four new provisional patents and the potential for new technology to increase the recyclability of used mattresses,” said Mike O’Donnell, MRC’s managing director.
Open RFP: Life Cycle Analysis Study
To better understand the environmental footprint of its recycling practices, MRC is seeking an organization with Life Cycle Analysis expertise to organize and lead a project to assess the baseline performance of our current processes following ISO 14040 guidelines. The analysis will cover activities from post-consumer collection, transportation, deconstruction and recycling to major end uses for recovered materials. Interested parties are asked to submit a proposal describing their approach and budget by Nov. 6. See the full RFP here.
Open RFP: Waste Characterization Study
MRC has released an RFP seeking qualified applicants to perform a waste characterization study of non-recyclable waste generated from MRC-contracted mattress deconstruction facilities (recyclers) in California. MRC is financing this study to understand which post-consumer mattress materials are going to landfill and why, and the percentage of each of those materials by weight. MRC will use this information to prioritize research projects that focus on unrecyclable mattress components with the potential to increase the statewide mattress recycling rate. Proposals are due by Nov. 20. Please contact Abbie Beane with any questions.
New Collection Sites
Welcome Fresno EOC Local Conservation Corps
Fresno EOC Local Conservation Corps has joined MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program including two locations: the City of Fresno and the City of Friant. Visit their listings on [byebyemattress.com]Bye Bye Mattress for more information.
Fresno EOC Local Conservation Corps
1805 E. California Ave.
Fresno, Ca. 93706
Mattresses are accepted for recycling Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 am to 2 pm.
https://byebyemattress.com/recycling-locator/fresno-eoc-local-conservation-corps/
Fresno EOC Local Conservation Corps Buyback Center
17108 N. Friant Rd.
Friant, Ca. 93626
Mattresses are accepted for recycling Tuesday-Saturday from 8 am to 2:30 pm.
https://byebyemattress.com/recycling-locator/fresno-eoc-local-conservation-corps-friant-buyback-center/
Upcoming Events
NERC Fall 2020 Virtual Conference
The Changing Face of Recycling
October 20–22
Website: https://nerc.org/
Visit MRC’s Exhibitor Page
AASHE Virtual Conference
Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education
October 20–22
Website: https://www.aashe.org/conference/
MRC Contact: Joy Broussard
For Retailers
Customer Education Material
Customer education materials can be ordered using our Online Order Form and will ship to you free of charge.
Samples of what we offer:
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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