Salem, Oregon – Oregon is the latest state to propose legislation that would promote the recycling of end-of-life mattresses. The state-wide product stewardship programme would enable the financing, collection and environmentally sound management of discarded mattresses.
A fee would be added to mattress sales to fund a recycling programme, with a private entity being set up to collect and recycle mattresses and box springs.
This entity would be overseen by the state Department of Environmental Quality. It would have to set up a collection site in every county, plus various others across the state.
The senate bill was passed in late February. Having already been approved by the Senate’s energy and environment committee and the joint committee on ways and means, it now advances to the House. It could be operational in January 2023.
‘In 2009, Oregon became the first state in the nation to enact an environmental stewardship program for paint products,’ said state senator Michael Dembrow. ‘Oregon has led on product stewardship programs for discarded electronics and unused medicines. This legislation will protect our environment, conserve resources and create meaningful jobs.’
