The International Sleep Products Association and the mattress industry have long supported the need for mattress recycling. As a result, last year ISPA sought a cost-effective, efficient national solution to waste problems associated with used mattresses.
At the same time, the entire industry faced costly legislation in 2012 in three states that would have forced mattress manufacturers to pay for the entire cost of recycling used mattresses. For example, lawmakers in California considered a bill that ISPA estimates would have cost mattress manufacturers more than $100 million annually in that state alone.
“This is an overwhelming expense for any industry, especially one still recovering from the recession,” said ISPA President Ryan Trainer. “We were fortunate to defeat California’s legislation and to respond to sim-ilar bills in Rhode Island and Connecticut.”
In 2013, ISPA expects advocates of such bills to renew their efforts for mattress recycling legislation in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island and possibly other states.
“As in 2012, ISPA will respond to these bills to protect the industry from burdensome legislation that will cripple the industry,” Trainer said. “Our long-term goal remains to establish a national system for mattress recycling through federal legislation, but we recognize that the threat posed by the states is serious and imminent. To that end, ISPA will work with state officials to make sure that legislation will encourage more recycling in a cost-efficient and practical manner.”
With more than 50,000 mattresses discarded every day in the United States—and each occupying as much as 23 cubic feet of landfill space—ISPA believes an efficient recycling solution is necessary. Used mattresses can be broken down to their component parts and then recycled to make new products, including steel fabrications, carpet padding and press board.
“By working constructively with all stakeholders, ISPA can find a solution that both promotes efficient mattress recycling and limits costs for everyone,” Trainer said. ●
