Americans discard an estimated 15 million to 20 million mattresses each year, contributing to an average of 50,000 mattresses disposed of daily. With more than 75% of a mattress being recyclable, these discarded items present a significant opportunity for environmental improvement. However, the options for recycling used mattresses or box springs remain limited across the United States. In an effort to address this challenge, four states have recently implemented or increased fees on the purchase of new mattresses or box springs, aiming to fund recycling initiatives and divert these bulky items from landfills.
Oregon is the latest state to adopt a recycling fee, instituting a charge of $22.50 per unit as of January 1, 2025. This move follows California and Connecticut, which both raised their retail fees to $16 per unit at the start of the year. Rhode Island had previously increased its fee to $20.50 per unit last year. These fees contribute directly to state recycling programs designed to enhance the circular economy and reduce landfill waste.
Recycling a mattress involves breaking it down into its component parts—wood, steel, foams, and fibers—which can then be stripped, sold, and reused. Despite this potential, there are only 58 companies nationwide specializing in mattress recycling, according to the Mattress Recycling Council. To facilitate recycling efforts, more than 300 mattress collection sites have been established in states with active recycling programs.
The recycling fees are part of a broader trend towards extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in the U.S. These laws hold producers accountable for managing their products once they become waste.
"With EPR, producers of products or packages become responsible for managing them when they become waste," – Reid Lifset, a resident fellow in industrial ecology at Yale University and editor of the Journal of Industrial Ecology.
Oregon's new program promises "new convenient locations in every county for residents to drop off their mattresses," according to the state's Department of Environmental Quality website. This initiative highlights the increasing focus on making recycling more accessible and convenient for consumers.
The impact of these programs extends beyond just mattresses. By promoting recycling and reuse, they aim to foster a more sustainable approach to household waste management. This shift not only benefits the environment by reducing landfill contributions but also supports economic opportunities through the resale and repurposing of materials.
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