California requires a statewide mattress recycling program designed and implemented by mattress manufacturers with CalRecycle oversight. The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is the manufacturers’ stewardship organization that implements the program.
Resources
- Mattress Product Management Home
- Enforcement Staff
- Mattress Stewardship Organization
- Mattress Advisory Committee
- Compliant Manufacturers, Renovators, Distributors, Brands, and URNs
- Stewardship Plans
- Stewardship Budgets
- Annual Reporting: Recyclers, Renovators, & Solid Waste Facilities
- Annual Reporting: Recycling Organization
- Recycling Baseline Goals
- Law
- Regulations
Program News
- On January 9, 2023, MRC submitted its revised Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Plan to resolve the issue identified in CalRecycle’s November 15, 2022, Request for Action. Visit CalRecycle’s Mattress Stewardship Plans page for more information.
- On November 15, 2022, CalRecycle maintained conditional approval of Mattress Recycling Council’s revised Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Plan.
- CalRecycle’s director approved Mattress Recycling Council’s 2023 Budget on September 20, 2022 and 2021 Annual Report on September 21, 2022. Visit CalRecycle’s Mattress Stewardship Annual Reporting and Budgets pages for more information.
Where Do I Recycle Mattresses?
Mattress Stewardship
Why focus on mattresses?
It is estimated that millions of mattresses and box springs reach the end of their lives in California every year. The bulky nature of mattresses and the lack of affordable, convenient recycling options has resulted in significant illegal dumping costs to local jurisdictions throughout the state. Fortunately, used mattresses are highly recyclable (between 80-90 percent of each mattress by weight), and certain components such as steel and polyurethane have positive market value.
What is being done?
The California Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act (SB 254, Hancock, Chapter 388, Statutes of 2013) aims to reduce illegal dumping, increase recycling, and substantially reduce public agency costs for the end-of-use management of used mattresses. The legislation established an industry-run, statewide program to increase the recovery and recycling of mattresses at their end-of-use. Cleanup legislation signed by the governor in September 2014 (SB 1274, Hancock, Chapter 371, Statutes of 2014) provides additional clarity regarding definitions, report submittals, and record keeping requirements. The law was further modified in October 2019 through AB 187 (Garcia, Chapter 673, Statutes of 2019) to amend definitions, plan, budget, and annual reporting components, and include additional state baseline and goal requirements.
What can I do?
Recycle your old mattress and box spring. Visit Bye Bye Mattress to find a used mattress recycler, renovator, or drop-off location near you.
Program Overview
- Program Plan. The Mattress Recycling Council’s plan to establish and implement a statewide used mattress recovery and recycling program.
- Compliant Manufacturers, Renovators and Distributors. A list of compliant manufacturers and renovators under the California Mattress Stewardship Program plan will be compiled by the mattress recycling organization and provided to CalRecycle.
- Listserv. If you would like to receive periodic e-mail notifications specific to the Mattress Stewardship Program implementation activities, subscribe to CalRecycle’s Mattress Product Stewardship listserv. Previous listserv messages can be found at the mattress listserv archive.
- Public Notices. For public notices that relate to CalRecycle oversight of the Mattress Product Stewardship Program (e.g., department decisions regarding regulations, plan approval, etc.) and other product stewardship programs, visit the CalRecycle public notices page.
- State Auditor Report on the Mattress ProgramPDF download. On January 30, 2018, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee directed the California State Auditor to review CalRecycle’s oversight of the mattress stewardship program and the Mattress Recycling Council’s administration of the recycling program (see full audit scopePDF download and the Mattress Recycling Council’s responsePDF download).
Information
Manufacturers, Retailers, and Renovators
- Compliant Manufacturers & Renovators
- Mattress Stewardship Organization
- Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation Act & Rules and RegulationsPDF download
- Recycling Market Development Zones
- Market Development Resources
- Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
- Letter on Taxation of Mattress Recycling Charge
- MRC Registration Information for Manufacturers, Renovators, and Retailers
- Mattress Recovery & Recycling Program Annual Reporting Sign-In
- Mattress Recycling Council’s FAQ Regarding the Retailer Take Back Requirement
For more information contact: Mattress Stewardship Program, mattresses@calrecycle.ca.gov