Why do I have to pay the recycling fee and what is it for?

State law requires retailers to collect a recycling fee on each mattress and box spring that is sold. The fee funds the state’s mattress recycling program and provides for collection, transportation and recycling of old mattresses and box springs. The amount of the fee is the same statewide and is not controlled by individual retailers. More than 75 percent of a mattress can be recycled into new consumer and industrial products. The recycling program diverts valuable materials from landfill and helps keep bulky waste like mattresses and box springs out of the waste stream.

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Who is the Mattress Recycling Council?

The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is a nonprofit organization that operates recycling programs known as Bye Bye Mattress in states that have passed mattress recycling laws. MRC was founded by the bedding industry and recycles more than 1.7 million mattresses each year. For more information about MRC, go to www.MattressRecyclingCouncil.org. To learn how to recycle your mattress or to find a collection location or event near you, visit www.ByeByeMattress.com.

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If I don’t plan to discard a mattress now, why do I have to pay this fee?

Even if you aren’t discarding a mattress right now, mattresses don’t last forever and will eventually be discarded. State law requires retailers to collect this fee on any mattress or box spring sale to fund the state’s mattress recycling program. This program provides a network of participating cities, towns, retailers, recyclers and other organizations where old mattresses are collected for recycling at no additional cost to you. The fee also supports efforts to combat illegal dumping of mattresses and help keep our community clean.

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If I decide to take my old mattress to a recycler myself, do I still pay the fee?

Yes, state law requires retailers to collect this fee on any mattress and box spring sale at the time of purchase to fund the mattress recycling program. You may receive a modest financial incentive if you drop off your used mattress or box spring at a designated recycling location. Visit www.ByeByeMattress.com to find the location nearest you.

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I didn’t pay this fee when I bought my old mattress, so will it be accepted for recycling?

Yes, the Bye Bye Mattress program will accept your old mattress no matter when it was originally purchased. To be recycled, units must be clean and dry. Normal wear and tear is expected. Units infested with bed bugs or that are heavily soiled or damaged cannot be recycled.

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My old mattress was “unacceptable” for recycling. Can you refund my recycling fee?

No, state law requires retailers to collect this fee on any mattress and box spring sale to fund the mattress recycling program. The law does not force retailers to accept every mattress for recycling out of concern for employee health and safety. Store policy, in addition to the guidelines of the recycling program, determine what we will and won’t accept. If your mattress is unacceptable for recycling, contact your city or town to learn what disposal options are available.

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