MRC hits milestone in early 2022 - completes 10 million mattress recycling

The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC), based in Alexandria, Virginia, says it has now recycled 10 million mattresses
.
The MRC said the milestone was "achieved through its statewide programs in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island
.
"

"As a result of this work, more than 380 million pounds (190,000 tons) of steel, foam, fiber and wood have been diverted from landfills and recycled into new products
," the MRC continued.
The MRC added, It has "carried out research to promote product recycling in the mattress industry and improve mattress collection and recycling processes"
.

Mike O'Donnell, general manager of MRC, said: "Since our first project launched in 2015, MRC has provided residents with a very convenient recycling service, diverting thousands of tons of recyclable materials from the waste stream, and Hundreds of green jobs have been created
.
In addition, our "Bye Bye Mattress" consumer education work has informed residents why mattress recycling is important and how to do it properly
.

"We reached this milestone together with mattress manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, state and local officials, research partners and countless others working with MRC," he added
.

To build a statewide collection network in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island, MRC says it integrates with existing solid waste infrastructure, from waste haulers, landfills, transfer stations and public works departments, And mattress retailers, businesses, and establishments that handle mattresses, such as hotels, colleges, and nursing homes, for mattresses
.
The MRC also held a waste mattress collection
.

“We have worked closely with local governments to reduce their mattress disposal costs and the logistical issues caused by bulky mattresses
,” said Marie Clarke, MRC’s vice president of industry and external affairs.
“In the process, MRC has put valuable resources are diverted from landfills into the economy,
" she added
.

In the context of its 10 million mattress recycling milestone, MRC said it ships nearly 10,000 truckloads of mattresses each year from its more than 300 collection points to a nearby recycling facility for disassembly
.
These recyclers are then ready to sell these materials to scrap merchants
.

To improve its operations, find new and better uses for old mattress materials, and reduce its carbon footprint, MRC says it is improving the efficiency of its transport network
.
The MRC also said it allocated nearly $1 million a year to research projects to improve processing efficiency, recover more recyclable materials and explore new end markets
.

"Our process improvement efforts are helping mattress recyclers meet immediate operational challenges while also setting them up for long-term success
," O'Donnell said.
research is of interest as they work to create a more circular economy for mattresses
.
”