This is good news because there’s a lot of mattress waste in the world; the Mattress Recycling Council estimates that the U.S. discards at least 20 million mattresses and box springs annually.

Connecticut’s industry-led mattress recycling program has led to 1.7 million mattresses being recycled since its inception 10 years ago, according to a report from the Mattress Recycling Council.

A manufacturer’s label on your now-defunct mattress should help determine the type of plastic. Popular Aerobed inflatable mattresses are PVC-free, which makes them much easier to recycle.

Amanda Jones removes the fabric Aug. 30, 2024, from a mattress at Willis Dady Works, 800 First Ave. NW in Cedar Rapids. The recycling program provides Willis Dady Homeless Services clients with ...

That’s how Sleep Well Recycling was born. Costa says his team recycles 75-to-100 percent of mattresses collected through the Chittenden Solid Waste District, Champlain Housing Trust, and other l ...