(Sacramento, CA) — On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, California’s State Senate approved SB 254 (Hancock/Correa) by a 32-5 bipartisan vote.

SB 254 creates a used mattress recycling program that will 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.

International Sleep Products Association President, Ryan Trainer commented, “We are very pleased the California State Senate recognizes that SB 254 will improve used mattress recycling in the state in a practical and efficient manner. Since its inception, all stakeholders have been diligently working to craft sound used mattress recycling policy that will benefit consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and the environment. I want to thank the bill’s authors, Senators Loni Hancock and Lou Correa, for their leadership on this issue.”

The legislation provides Californians with a comprehensive mattress recycling solution that is consumer-friendly, cost-effective and efficient. The program authorized by SB 254 is very similar to existing recycling systems in California and other states for other consumer products.

SB 254 enjoys a broad range of support from industry, retailers, cities and counties, local elected officials, and waste management organizations. It creates a non-profit mattress recycling organization that will plan, implement and administer a state system to collect discarded used mattresses, dismantle them and recycle their materials for use in new products. The program will be funded by a nominal fee collected at retail on the sale of new mattresses and box-springs.

Shelly Sullivan representing Californians for Mattress Recycling stated, “SB 254 (Hancock/Correa) simply puts a nominal fee on used mattresses akin to California’s paint recycling program. It’s good common sense legislation that helps Californians improve their recycling performance.”

SB 254 (Hancock-Correa) now moves to the Assembly for Committee hearings and a floor vote.

Californians for Mattress Recycling is an ad hoc group representing stakeholders united in their support for efficient and practical mattress recycling.  For more information contact Shelly Sullivan at (916) 858-8686 or go to:  http://www.ca4mattressrecycling.org