The Connecticut Senate gave overwhelming approval this week to a mattress recycling bill supported by the International Sleep Products Assn.
The bill, which authorizes an industry-led non-profit organization to create and run a mattress recycling council that has the authority to set and collect a consumer fee to fund recycling operations, was passed earlier by the Connecticut House. It now goes to Gov. Daniel Malloy for his consideration.
ISPA said passage of the bill resulted from bipartisan negotiations conducted by ISPA officials. The Senate approved the measure by a 28-8 vote.
The bill establishes a recycling program with a sustainable funding mechanism that will not harm the mattress industry, ISPA officials said.
"We thank Environment Committee Chairman Senator Edward Meyer for his leadership in crafting legislation that will promote mattress recycling and create jobs," said ISPA President Ryan Trainer. "This legislation serves as a model for solving the problem of mattress disposal without negatively impacting our industry."
The Connecticut legislation will create the nation's first mattress recycling law of its kind. ISPA is currently working on similar legislation in other states and said it will lobby for programs that reduce the impact of illegally dumped mattresses, harness existing infrastructure for transporting used mattresses to recyclers, create jobs, and minimize costs to both government and consumers.
