A new survey by Soft Landing Mattress Recycling, Australia’s largest mattress recycler, reveals Australian consumers’ strong stance on mattress sustainability and recycling. It issues a call to action to councils and retailers nationwide to help solve the growing problem of mattresses in landfills.
The newly released ‘Mattresses Matter’ Sustainability Survey finds that Australians are highly concerned about the sustainability of their mattress, with 93% of Australian consumers saying they would be more likely to purchase a new mattress from a retailer that collects and recycles their old one. Over 8 in 10 people (86%) are willing to pay extra for this service.
According to the research, 62% of people say that sustainability is important when purchasing a new mattress, and the vast majority (93%) are eager to recycle their end-of-life mattresses responsibly to avoid landfill. 96% say it’s important that their local council provides a free mattress collection and recycling service through an Approved Recycler.
While only 26 have used a mattress recycling service in the past, 65% would like to use one in the future. Respondents cited lack of recycling services (58%), uncertainty of services available (54%), and cost (33%) as the top three barriers to mattress recycling.
To remove these barriers and end mattresses in landfill for good, Soft Landing, an Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) Approved Recycler, is calling for retailers and councils nationwide to partner with them to provide a mattress collection and recycling service to all Australians.
General Manager David Petrie says, “1.8 million old mattresses are disposed of each year in Australia. Of these, it is estimated that over 740,000 end up in landfill. This equates to 5,500 average elephants or nearly 2,500 compactor trucks”.
“They take up enormous amounts of space and contribute significantly to environmental pollution; it’s 22,000 tonnes of needless waste that can be reduced through responsible recycling, so it’s encouraging to see such positive consumer attitudes towards mattress recycling in Australia.”
“We partner with many progressive councils and retailers to provide Australians with an accessible mattress collection and recycling service but there is still much to do. We can support people to do the right thing with their end-of-life mattresses and reduce mattresses on our streets and in landfills.”
“Australians are saying they’ll use mattress recycling services if they’re available – so why not give them the chance?”
Kylie Roberts-Frost, ABSC CEO, says, “Mattresses were included in the Minister’s Product Stewardship Priority List for 2023-2024 due to the significant environmental challenge they pose. The data from Soft Landing highlights the critical need for a coordinated industry effort to address this issue comprehensively”.
“Our objective is to see mattresses designed for longevity and recyclability, ensuring valuable materials are reused and waste is minimised, where reuse is not an option. This aligns with the growing consumer demand for sustainable outcomes.”
“Collaboration between ABSC Approved Recyclers like Soft Landing, retailers, and local councils is vital. These partnerships will not only help reduce the number of mattresses ending up in landfills but also support consumers who are keen to make environmentally responsible choices.”
“By working together, manufacturers, retailers, and councils can play a pivotal role in creating a more sustainable future for the mattress industry.”
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For an individual, an old mattress is one of the very hardest things to dispose of. It is heavy and unwieldy to handle. It certainly does not fit in the bin. You need a trailer to get it to the tip, where quite often you have to pay an extra fee. Meanwhile, charities and op shops have no place for them, even if in good condition.
Recently our Landcare group removed a disintegrating old mattress from bushland where it had been dumped… 3 men and a volunteer’s 4WD car and trailer were needed to take it to the tip, and a fee to leave it there.
Developing this service will be very worthwhile.
The local Armidale Regional Council Tip is reported as charging $70.00 per mattress to dump there. Just another overcharging from the third tier of government that does very little to justify the exorbitant salary packages paid to General Managers & senior Council staff who appoint far too many redundant upon appointment young middle managers to take responsibility for wrong decisions or project failures.
Our local council charges $23 for mattresses and the expectation is that these along with car-bodies (and other steel and white goods) together with tyres will be recycled.
Clearly some mattresses will not be suitable for recycling but landfill should be the final option – they can have metal springs removed and then be shredded : it’s not rocket science !