© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WECS · WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM · WVOF
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Mattress Recycling Program Grows In Connecticut

Scott..?
/
Flickr Creative Commons

Connecticut’s first-in-the-nation program for recycling mattresses is approaching its third birthday. The “mattress stewardship program” continues to experience growth, recycling about 162,000 mattresses last year.

If you’ve bought a mattress recently, you might have noticed a $9 fee tacked onto your bill.

That money funds the state’s mattress recycling program, which allows people to recycle for mattresses and box springs at no cost at about 120 locations in the state.

“We also have two statewide drop off locations -- one in Newington and one in Bridgeport,” said Justine Fallon, operations manager for the Mattress Recycling Council, which runs the program. “And then we work with other municipalities that can’t house permanent containers, but do provide special one day collections, so at least residents in their community can drop off mattresses at least once or a couple times a year.”

You can view a map of drop-off spots online at ByeByeMattress.

Fallon said one of the council’s goals for 2018 is to increase uses for the foam and springs in recycled mattresses.

Currently, Connecticut recycles about 14,000 mattresses per month.

Prior to the program, those mattresses may have been incinerated or illegally dumped on neighborhood curbs.

Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. He can be reached at pskahill@ctpublic.org.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.