Sept 27 - Governor Signs Legislation Creating Landmark Mattress Recycling Program (Press Release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 27, 2013

CONTACT:
Mark Murray, Executive Director

Governor Brown today signed SB 254, authored by Senators Loni Hancock and Lou Correa, a bill to create a statewide mattress recycling program, providing consumers with free and convenient opportunities for mattress pick up, drop-off and recycling.

California is the third state in the nation and the first on the West Coast to pass a bill requiring the mattress industry to recycle used mattresses. California’s legislation goes further than other states and ensures that consumers will not have to pay to get rid of unwanted mattresses.

"This is great news for consumers, local governments and the environment," said CAW Executive Director Mark Murray. "SB 254 will eliminate the blight that has plagued communities and burdened local governments. It creates a producer responsibility program that gives consumers convenient options for recycling their old mattresses."

Due to their large size and high costs for disposal, used mattresses have commonly been discarded on road sides, causing blight, public health threats, and millions of dollars in added cleanup costs. Consumers will now have a variety of choices when it comes time to replace and recycle their old mattresses.

"SB 254 will make it easier for consumers to do the right thing, keep an enormous amount of materials out of landfills, and reduce costs to cash-strapped cities. Renovating and recycling mattresses will promote the growth of green jobs and help the state advance its recycling goal," said CAW Legislative and Policy Analyst Teresa Bui.

SB 254 was sponsored by the environmental group Californians Against Waste and ultimately co-sponsored by mattress manufacturers through the International Sleep Products Association. In addition, it was supported by mattress retailers, local governments, recyclers, business leaders and environmental groups.

The statewide recycling program will be operated by a non-profit stewardship organization to create incentives for increased mattress recycling and renovation.

These operations will be overseen by CalRecycle and a Mattress Recycling Advisory Committee. The system will be financed by a recycling charge on new mattress sales.

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