Oregon Diverted Millions in Mattress Waste in 2025
Residents and businesses recycled over 134,000 mattresses, helping keep significant material out of landfills.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Organic Food
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Throughout 2025, a statewide recycling initiative in Oregon successfully processed over 134,000 mattresses and box springs. The program effectively diverted 5.9 million pounds of material that would otherwise have been sent to landfills.
Why it matters
By facilitating the recovery of steel, foam, and wood, the program aims to curb illegal dumping and environmental impact across Oregon. The effort relies on an extended producer responsibility model to support sustainable waste management and local recycling jobs.
In 2025, the state collected 134,000 items, with 90,000 delivered by individuals and 40,000 by businesses. While 5.9 million pounds of material were repurposed, the long-term environmental net benefit of the recovery processes remains under evaluation.
The players
Mattress Recycling Council
A non-profit organization that manages recycling programs for the mattress industry to reduce landfill waste.
Oregon State Legislature
The legislative body that enacted Senate Bill 1576 to regulate mattress disposal and recycling statewide.
The details
Under an extended producer responsibility model, manufacturers fund and manage the infrastructure to disassemble mattresses into base components. The program separates materials including steel, fibers, wood, and foam for use as recycled goods, reused items, or biomass fuel. Consumers support this system through a $22.50 assessment fee applied to the purchase of eligible products.
Timeline
Oregon lawmakers approved Senate Bill 1576 in 2022.
The statewide mattress recycling program officially began on January 1, 2025.
The program completed its first full year of operation throughout 2025.
Health Landscape
This program reflects a broader shift toward extended producer responsibility policies aimed at reducing municipal waste and environmental pollutants. It serves as a benchmark for how state-level mandates can integrate material recovery into standard consumer goods management.
When purchasing a new mattress, be aware that a $22.50 fee is applied to fund the recycling system that ensures your old product does not end up as local landfill waste. You can identify participating collection sites and reuse opportunities to ensure your household items are processed responsibly.
The takeaway
The inaugural year of the recycling program successfully diverted millions of pounds of bulk waste from Oregon's landfills. Residents should check the Bye Bye Mattress initiative website for specific drop-off locations to ensure their old furniture is properly recycled rather than dumped.
Further reading
To learn more about the state's environmental initiatives, visit Organic Food.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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