24/02/2010 5,000 mattresses recycled

More than 5,000 pre-loved mattresses have been recycled by the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) in the past eight months.

EMRC established Western Australia's only mattress recycling facility in May 2009 following a successful three-month trial. The project diverts bulky mattresses from landfill, saving valuable landfill airspace and conserving resources.

Depending on brand and construction, the majority of a mattress can be recycled. Springs are melted down at a smelter to make new steel; foam is turned into flooring underlay; and the timber is reused in particleboard, animal bedding and mulch.

EMRC Chairman, Cr Graham Pittaway OAM said "Prior to EMRC's mattress recycling project, most old mattresses in WA ended up in landfill. Retailers, businesses and residents now have a sustainable disposal option for mattresses."

"If placed end to end, the mattresses we have already recycled would stretch over 10 kilometres", he said.

EMRC aims to recycle over 10,000 mattresses in 2010.

Residents are encouraged to take their unwanted mattresses to EMRC's Red Hill Waste Management Facility (Toodyay Road, Red Hill). Bulk deliveries of mattresses can be taken to EMRC's Hazelmere Recycling Centre (Lakes Road, Hazelmere). A fee is payable.