Mattress recycling has positive social, environmental, and financial effects (also known as people, planet, and profit). You can be sustainable by meeting goals in these three categories, known as the triple bottom line. Here is how mattress recycling fits into the triple bottom line.
How recycling mattresses embodies the triple bottom line.
Being cost-effective. Your mattress recycling costs will be about the same as other mattress disposal costs. Recycling and landfill disposal fees are both usually between $6 and $15. Some mattress recycling companies and nonprofits do not charge a fee. Connecticut, California, and Rhode Island fund recycling by collecting a mattress disposal fee at the time of purchase. Source — Mattress Recycling Council
Creating jobs. The growing mattress recycling industry is creating new jobs. Connecticut, California, and Rhode Island mattress recycling programs created about 200 jobs in a year. Source — Mattress Recycling Council
Saving landfill space. Mattress trash entering the landfill is harder to compact than other items, so it takes up more room.
Click on the video below to see mattress recycling in action. This video post is for educational purposes only. We are not endorsing any one company/program over others.
Three states — Connecticut, California, and Rhode Island — have mandatory mattress recycling programs as of the date of this article. Read about these state programs here.
Many hotels also have mattress recycling policies. You can increase your personal or corporate sustainability efforts by staying at hotels with environmentally friendly policies.
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Wood Chipping. Digital image. Wood Chipping. All Tree Care, n.d. Web. 8 May 2017.
Cotton fibers are mixed with cotton from other products to make new products or be used in oil filters.
Foam padding is mixed with foam from other furniture to make carpet padding and animal bed padding.
Steel springs are recycled as scrap to make appliances, building materials, and other items.
Wood frames are chipped and used as an alternative fuel source or landscaping mulch.