As previously reported, New York is advancing critically flawed mattress recycling legislation in NY S 1463. Despite significant efforts by ISPA and its members, the bill was unfortunately passed out of the Senate on April 28. With ISPA’s supporters, however, and because of the grassroots efforts by New York members, the vote was 32 to 22, much closer than it has been in the past. Thus, ISPA is hopeful that additional progress towards compromise amendments can be made in the Assembly. ISPA supports point of sale funded mattress recycling laws that California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island have in place, which have provided efficient and cost-effective mattress recycling programs. These laws have worked well and have resulted in over 15 million mattresses and box-springs being recycled in the 10 years the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) has been operating.

Unfortunately, the bill does not include a clear funding mechanism, which would establish a mattress recycling program in New York that mattress producers would fund. Since collecting the fee from foreign producers will be difficult, if not impossible, U.S. mattress manufacturers will likely bear an unfair share of the recycling costs, putting them at a competitive disadvantage.

We have offered our MRC program as an alternative to no avail to date, but believe with enough opposition and another defeat this year, perhaps we could get compromise language approved. Read our full testimony.

The bill now moves to the New York Assembly, where ISPA will engage members to stop or amend this bill.  We will keep you apprised of any updates and will reach out, as it will be necessary to have additional voices on this matter. 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact ISPA’s Government Affairs team, including Alison Keane, Grant Johnson and Marty Salamone.