A new recycling program is driving an uptick in the recycling of mattresses and box springs, according to theRhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.
Bye, Bye Mattress, a free recycling program for mattresses and box springs, kicked off in May with collection sites throughout the state.
“And they are getting overwhelmed and inundated with all these mattresses,” said Sarah Reeves, director of policy, programs and planning at RIRRC. “I think because people think that ‘Now is my chance, I finally have the opportunity to drop something off for free,’ not realizing that it’s not a limited-time only offer.”
In 2013, the General Assembly passed a law that requires mattress manufacturers to create a statewide recycling program for mattress.
“Dropping off your mattress for free at designated locations is now the law in Rhode Island," said Reeves. "So there’s no rush. You can drop one off a month if you have to. You don’t have to pull them all out of your basement, attic and shed and give them all at once. You have plenty of time.”
As of May, beds sold in and into Rhode Island include a $10 recycling free to fund the program, made possible by the Mattress Recycling Council.
The program will help redirect old mattresses away from the landfill, which is expected to run out of space in about 25 years.
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