California State Assembly Approves SB 254; SB 254 (Hancock/Correa) Creates a Used Mattress Recycling Program
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) September 12, 2013 -- On Wednesday, September 11, 2013, the California State Assembly voted to approve SB 254 authored by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) and Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) by a 63-10 bipartisan vote.
SB 254 (Hancock/Correa) creates a used mattress recycling program that will have a dedicated funding mechanism, reduce the impact of illegally dumped mattresses, harness existing infrastructure for transporting used mattresses to recyclers, create jobs, and minimize costs to both government and consumers.
International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) President Ryan Trainer commented, "We are very pleased the members of the California State Assembly recognize the merits of SB 254. All stakeholders collaborated to help refine this legislation into a used mattress recycling policy that will benefit consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and the environment. This is an effective and efficient piece of legislation, and ISPA is proud to be a part of the solution in dealing with recycling used mattresses."
SB 254 enjoys a broad range of support from industry, retailers, cities and counties, local elected officials, and waste management organizations. Per the legislation, SB 254 creates a non-profit mattress recycling organization whose duty would be to plan, implement and administer a state system to collect discarded used mattresses, dismantle them and recycle their materials for use in new products. The program will be sustained by collecting a nominal fee at retail on the sale of new mattresses and box-springs.
Many of the SB 254 coalition members recently participated in a press conference to demonstrate their support to the legislation. During the event, co-author of SB 254, Senator Lou Correa stated, "Californians buy about 4 million new mattresses and box springs each year and discard roughly 2 million units. Dealing with discarded mattresses is a big job for this state. The goals set forth in SB 254 establish a sound foundation to move California forward in further preserving and protecting our communities from blight."
SB 254 provides Californians with a comprehensive mattress recycling solution that is consumer-friendly, cost-effective and efficient. The program authorized by SB 254 is very similar to existing recycling systems in California and other states for other consumer products.
Shelly Sullivan representing Californians for Mattress Recycling stated, "Californians are committed to their recycling practices. SB 254 (Hancock/Correa) simply puts a price on used mattresses akin to California’s bottle and can recycling program and gives Californians another avenue to broaden the scope of the state’s recycling portfolio."
In the next few days SB 254 (Hancock/Correa) will move to the Senate Floor for a concurrence vote.
Californians for Mattress Recycling is an ad hoc group representing stakeholders united in their support for efficient and practical mattress recycling. For more information, contact Shelly Sullivan at (916) 858-8686 or go to: http://www.ca4mattressrecycling.org/.
Shelly Sullivan, Californians for Mattress Recycling, http://www.ca4mattressrecycling.org, (916) 858-8686, [email protected]
Share this article