Gone are the nightmares of paying to dispose of old mattresses and box springs —mattress recycling is now free throughout California.

Considering that millions of mattresses and box springs reach the end of their usefulness each year, and the bulky nature of mattresses has resulted in widespread illegal dumping (and associated cleanup and disposal costs) in Monterey County, this is truly a dream realized for our environment and our residents.

Free mattress recycling is the result of legislation driven by consumer demand for extended producer responsibility (EPR). EPR holds manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of the products they create (take-back, recycling, and proper disposal), thereby reducing the overall environmental impact and associated cleanup and disposal costs for cities and individuals who must deal with these products at the end of their useful lives.

EPR programs have successfully helped consumers recycle old electronics, paint, and other problematic waste items by eliminating disposal fees.

EPR programs also rely on the consumer and end-user of the product to make the cycle sustainable. Similar to the purchase of a new television or computer, a recycling fee is prepaid in the purchase of new mattresses; however, in the end, the mattress must be recycled properly for the program to be successful.

More than 80% of the materials used to make mattresses and box springs can be recycled, such as fabric, foam, wood and steel. Recycling them helps support recycling and manufacturing jobs, by converting recovered resources into new products instead of filling the landfill.

If you’re planning to purchase a new mattress, ask the retailer to take away your old one when they deliver the new one. If you need to get rid of an old one, recycle it at a recycling facility or ask your waste hauler about curbside pickup services.

At Salinas Valley Recycles’ facilities in Salinas, Gonzales and King City, residents can recycle up to 5 mattresses or box springs free at the recycling drop-off areas (businesses pay just $5 each mattress and box spring). For more information, visit SalinasValleyRecycles.org. To find other facilities that recycle mattresses, visit www.byebyemattress.com.

Recycling old mattresses and box springs is another step toward a future without landfills!

http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/life/2017/09/13/mattress-recycling-california-now-free/663943001/