Last week, ISPA submitted two sets of public comments in support of advanced recycling. Advanced recycling refers to a suite of technologies that break down used plastics into their original components to remanufacture them into new products. ISPA believes that advanced recycling methods can help recycle and create new end markets for certain materials used in the mattress industry, such as postconsumer polyurethane foam. 

First, ISPA joined a coalition of stakeholders to submit a letter to the Circular Action Alliance’s (CAA) Colorado Executive Director that expresses support for CAA’s proposed guiding principle of remaining “technology agnostic” in recognizing varying recycling technologies, including advanced recycling. CAA is the producer responsibility organization approved to operate Colorado’s paper and packaging extended producer responsibility program. As the letter explains, advanced recycling technologies are key to meeting Colorado’s goals and targets expressed in CAA’s enabling legislation. 

Second, ISPA submitted a letter of opposition to the National Recycling Coalition’s draft policy position to exclude all forms of advanced recycling as acceptable forms of recycling. ISPA emphasized that closing the door to advanced recycling would prevent the use of innovative technologies that could help the mattress industry further its circularity and sustainability initiatives.