Today, the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) submitted its California Mattress Recycling Plan to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) for review. The plan reflects two years of planning, stakeholder outreach and discussions to develop a collection, transportation and recycling program for used mattresses in California. The program, created by a 2013 mattress recycling law, will be called Bye Bye Mattress. If approved by CalRecycle within the 90-day review period, the recycling program would begin in January 2016.
MRC today also submitted to CalRecycle a three-year budget for the program which, if approved, will be funded through an $11.00 recycling fee that is collected on the sale of each new or renovated mattress and box spring sold to California consumers and then remitted to MRC. MRC will use those funds to provide mattress collection, transportation and recycling services for cities and towns, military bases, universities and hospitals, as well as private sector businesses like mattress retailers and hotels. The fee is also used to create free drop-off collection points for California residents at solid waste facilities throughout the state, provide a reimbursement to those who drop-off mattresses directly at designated recycling facilities, and support a fund to help communities battle illegal dumping. California’s law resulted from the International Sleep Products Association’s (ISPA) work with various stakeholders to develop a practical and economically efficient approach to mattress recycling. “The mattress industry has developed a program that benefits all California consumers and the environment,” said Ryan Trainer, president of MRC and ISPA. “Mattress manufacturers, importers, retailers and renovators all have a role in this program’s success. Under the law, you must register with MRC in order to keep selling mattresses in California once the program goes into effect. Registering now means you’ll be more informed and better prepared as the program launches, and won’t experience disruptions in your ability to sell your products in California.”
MRC will discuss the California program and answer compliance questions during a Las Vegas Market seminar about mattress recycling on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. The seminar will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in Building B, WorldView on 16. MRC has also provided a toll-free support line, dedicated email, written guidelines and a step-by-step video to assist the mattress industry with registering through the organization’s online portal – mrcreporting.org.
– Toll-Free Support: 1-888-646-6815
– Support Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
– Written Guidelines & Video: www.mattressrecyclingcouncil.org/resources <http://www.mattressrecyclingcouncil.org/resources>
MRC recently launched the nation’s first statewide mattress recycling program in Connecticut and will also operate Rhode Island’s mattress recycling program, due to begin in early 2016.
For more information, visit www.mattressrecyclingcouncil.org.