In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, dives into an often-overlooked aspect of recycling: mattress recycling.
Joining us is Mike O'Donnell, Chief Operating Officer of the Mattress Recycling Council, who brings over 30 years of expertise in managing solid and hazardous waste collection programs. Mike gives a compelling look into the world of mattress recycling, highlighting the innovative programs in states like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island that recycle nearly 2 million mattresses a year. We’ll also explore the significant environmental impact of these efforts, from reducing illegal dumping to rescuing half a billion pounds of materials from landfills.
You'll gain insights into the Bye Bye Mattress program, learn about the components of a mattress and where they go after recycling, and discover the future of mattress recycling as it seeks to expand into new states and develop new markets for recycled materials. Whether you’re a homeowner wondering what to do with your old mattress, or a sustainability advocate interested in the broader challenges and solutions in recycling, this episode offers valuable information and practical tips.
Join us in transforming recycling anxiety into action and help make a sustainable future possible.
Show Links:
Bye Bye Mattress: byebyemattress.com
Mattress Recycling Council: mattressrecyclingcouncil.org
Keep America Beautiful: kab.org
Greatest American Cleanup: kab.org/greatest
Show Notes:
00:00 Mattress recycling mandated by laws in 2013.
04:25 Return old mattress to retailer for recycling.
09:21 Mattress recycling involves manual and automated methods.
10:00 Material: 20% carpet padding, 50% steel recycling.
13:13 Understanding resource impact, smarter reuse, developing recycling markets.
18:59 Learn how and where to recycle mattresses.
20:08 Visit kab.org for more information.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com