Connecticut House Passes Mattress Recycling Bill

The Connecticut House has approved a bill that would create the United States’ first mattress recycling program.

The bill, which now goes before the state Senate, would authorize an industry-led recycling council to develop a mattress recycling program funded by a small fee collected at the retail point from consumers, according to a news release.

The mattress industry association, the Alexandria, Va.-based International Sleep Products Association (ISPA), helped craft the bill and supports the legislation. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford).

“The Connecticut House of Representatives has advanced legislation that will increase the rate of mattress recycling, which will in turn reduce the impact of illegally discarded mattresses without threatening jobs,” said ISPA President Ryan Trainer.

The association has been working with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the city of Hartford, as well as other policy makers, to develop mattress recycling legislation that will allow residents to easily recycle mattresses in an environmentally friendly way.