Connecticut’s industry-led mattress recycling program has led to 1.7 million mattresses being recycled since its inception 10 years ago, according to a report from the Mattress Recycling Council.
The Mattress Recycling Council launched the program – Bye Bye Mattress – in 2015.
Bye Bye Mattress offers no-cost mattress recycling in 157 municipalities, including drop-off sites, seasonal collection events and curbside pickups.
The program has reduced illegal dumping and has kept more than 30,000 tons of foam, fiber, steel and wood out of Connecticut’s landfills, according to the recycling council.
Bye Bye Mattress has also formed partnerships with nearly 400 hotels, housing complexes, healthcare facilities and universities to recycle old mattresses.
Local waste-removal businesses including CWPM, USA Hauling and Casella Hauling participate in the initiative.
Recycled mattresses are converted into products that include carpet padding, insulation and steel components.
Connecticut became the first state to pass a mattress recycling law in 2013.
The law requires mattress manufacturers to create a statewide recycling program to manage unwanted mattresses and box springs.
To meet that requirement, they formed the nonprofit Mattress Recycling Council, which is funded by a recycling fee collected on each new or used mattress and box spring sold in the state.
On Wednesday, the International Sleep Products Association and the Mattress Recycling Council celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the program, in partnership with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, with an event outside the Legislative Office Building.
DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said the program has had a “tremendous” economic and environmental impact.
“By significantly reducing unnecessary materials from our waste stream, these programs save Connecticut cities and towns substantial costs, reduce the pressure on our already strained waste management and disposal system, and rightly place the end-of-life management of these materials on the companies and firms that bring them to market and realize the profits from their sale,” Dykes said.
To learn how to recycle your mattress, visit ByeByeMattress.com.
