The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) has submitted its Rhode Island Mattress Recycling Plan to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) for review. The plan reflects two years of planning, stakeholder outreach and discussions to develop a collection, transportation and recycling program for used mattresses in Rhode Island. The program, created by a 2013 mattress recycling law, will be called Bye Bye Mattress. If approved by RIRRC within the 90-day review period, the recycling program would begin in early 2016.
The proposed program will be funded through a $10.00 recycling fee that is collected on the sale of each new or renovated mattress or box spring sold to Rhode Island consumers and then remitted to MRC. MRC will use those funds to provide mattress collection, transportation and recycling services for cities and towns, military bases, universities and hospitals, as well as private sector businesses like mattress retailers and hotels. The fee is also used to create free drop-off collection points for Rhode Island residents at solid waste facilities throughout the state and provide a reimbursement to those who drop-off mattresses directly at designated recycling facilities. Rhode Island鈥檚 law resulted from the International Sleep Products Association鈥檚 (ISPA) effort to develop a practical and economically efficient approach to mattress recycling. 鈥淭he mattress industry has developed a program that benefits all Rhode Island consumers and the environment,鈥� said Ryan Trainer, president of MRC and ISPA. 鈥淢attress manufacturers, importers, retailers and renovators all have a role in this program鈥檚 success. Under the law, you must register with MRC in order to keep selling mattresses in Rhode Island once the program goes into effect. Registering now means you鈥檒l be more informed and better prepared as the program launches, and won鈥檛 experience disruptions in your ability to sell your products in the state.鈥�
MRC will discuss the Rhode Island program and answer compliance questions during a Las Vegas Market seminar about mattress recycling on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. The seminar will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in Building B, WorldView on 16. MRC has provided a toll-free support line, dedicated email, written guidelines and a step-by-step video to assist the mattress industry with registering through the organization鈥檚 online portal 鈥� .
– 聽聽聽聽聽聽Toll-Free Support: 1-888-646-6815
– 聽聽聽聽聽聽Support Email: <mailto:[email protected]>
– 聽聽聽聽聽聽Written Guidelines & Video: <>
MRC recently launched the nation鈥檚 first statewide mattress recycling program in Connecticut and will also operate California鈥檚 program, due to begin in early 2016.
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